South Wales Curry

­Restaurant Name: The Raj Tandoori
Town: Talbot Green
Date Visited: July 2009

http://www.therajtalbotgreen.co.uk/

Location
On the main street in Talbot Green, limited parking available outside.

Ambience
In need of decoration, an overriding smell of disinfectant.

Service
Staff keen to please if a little non-engaging.

Menu Choice
A fairly standard menu, perhaps lacking in Chef’s specialities. The usual range of bhunas, baltis and so on.

Food Quality
Very average – the prawn balti was watery and lacking in any real substance. Jalfrezi was a good strength but did not contain too many fresh ingredients.

Value for Money
Prices generally good, although king prawn dishes are quite expensive. There is a Sunday and Monday evening buffet for £8.50.

Overall Rating
2/5 – if you are in Talbot Green you might as well pop to Indiaah in Pontyclun. However if you are slightly tipsy after drinking in the Talbot Arms you may not notice the lack of quality.

Restaurant Name: The Red Mint
Town: Llantrisant
Date Visited: July 2009

http://www.restaurantsinpontyclun.com/

Location
On the small industrial estate to the north of Llantrisant, near the Royal Mint. The restaurant is contained in what used to be the Black Prince nightclub and hotel.

Ambience
Somewhat café-like, and the karaoke from the bar could be heard clearly. Clientele were limited in number for a weekend.

Service
Slow. Only one waiter who seemed stressed despite only having to serve 3 tables.

Menu Choice
Very limited menu. No chef’s specialties. Some classic Indian dishes such as Balti not available. Very limited choice for non meat-eaters.

Food Quality
Superb rice, second to none. Main dishes very tasty and full of substance, particularly Prawn Kolhapuri. The taste of the chicken was rather processed.

Value for Money
Prices generally good.

Overall Rating
3/5 – although the food was decent enough, you cannot forgive the total lack of atmosphere, the slightly odd clientele, and the fact that there is a noisy bar in the adjoining room.

Restaurant Name: Prince of Bengal
Town: Tonypandy
Date Visited: July 2009
Website:

Location
On the main street in Tonypandy, an old converted chapel, parking available on the main road.

Ambience
Spacious and airy, plenty of room, good decor and a couple of TV screens that show Indian pop music and various Indian channels.

Service
Excellent service, the staff are very attentive and keen. A buzzer system is used if you need to call them to your table.

Menu Choice
A great selection, one of the best around, many many dishes and various strengths of curry are available. Lots of specialty dishes as well as the standard curries. Good choice of starters and most dishes available with mixed vegetables or mushrooms as well as the standard chicken, lamb or prawns. A good range of beef curries which is unusual.

Food Quality
Superb – the quality of meat and the richness of the sauce is a reminder of curries from years ago. The beef dishes are very tempting. Chicken Bahar was spicy and rich. Prawn Balti has a depth of taste and strength that is unusual.

Value for Money
Excellent, cheap prices and quality food.

Overall Rating
5/5 – well worth a trip to the Rhondda.

Restaurant Name: Indiaah
Town: Pontyclun
Date Visited: June 2009 and many previous visits.
Website: www.indiaah.co.uk


Location
On the main street in Pontyclun,  parking available at rear.

Ambience
Spacious, tasteful modern décor, well-lit and comfortable furniture.

Service
Excellent service overall. The staff are all extremely pleasant, courteous and responsive to any request. There may be some waiting time in busy periods.

Menu Choice
Excellent menu with chef’s specialities virtually cooked to order. Agni Karahi ( chicken flamed with brandy ) is superb. Something for all tastes. Special offer menu  ( 4 courses for £9.50) on Sundays and Monday evening.

Food Quality
Superb –  the quality of food and presentation is consistently good

Value for Money
Excellent, modest prices for quality food. Special offer menu is tremendous value

Overall Rating
5/5 – probably the best to date in the local area and would rival the best elsewhere.

Highly recommended.

Restaurant Name: Mughal Emperor
Town: Cowbridge
Date Visited: April 2009
Website: www.mughalemperor.co.uk

Location
Literally off the A48 (westbound) near Cowbridge – an old pizza restaurant. Ample parking but not easy to get there on foot.

Ambience
A large restaurant, but still quite cosy with different sections, tables are spotless and very well presented.

Service
Excellent service, plenty of staff and very quick service – sometimes the main course does arrive too soon after the puppadoms / starter.

Menu Choice
A great selection, and many dishes are unique to the restaurant such as the wonderful Adork Murgh (ginger chicken), plus all the traditional dishes and a varied vegetarian selection.

Food Quality
One of the best restaurants in south Wales for a consistently good meal. Quantities could be greater, but the food itself is superb. Perhaps one criticism is that the hot dishes could be spicier. Vegetarian options very tasty.

Value for Money
Good value, the quality of the food is worth the small extra outlay for an average dish.

Overall Rating
4/5 – one of the best around.