In Defence Of
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Mar7
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Went to Eastern Nights on Saturday evening, at the top of the Old High Street for a curry, as it had been recommended. Normally in Folkestone we'd go to The New Delhi, and it's always good, but OH NO, I had to speak up and insist we try something new this weekend...
We've tried to visit once before, and found it CLOSED on a Saturday evening, what's that all about? Seems they close early (10pm), maybe because it's still not a nice part of town to be in around closing time. Did I just mess up my chance of this review featuring in The Quarter? Anyway, this time we arrived in a timely fashion, and got a table without booking. First impressions are that the venue's a little stark, too brightly lit (like both the other curry houses in town I've been to), and at 7.15 there are no other customers in the place... The other feeling is that this is an old fashioned curry house, though I can't quite put my finger on why. Partly it's the presence of a load of non indian dishes on the menu (steaks and things, all listed in French). Not many curry houses feature beef on their menu I don't think, this also felt odd.
Medium range of drinks, though small servings by default of both the beer and the wine, so they're confident we'll enjoy without being too tipsy. More customers arrive, as do our popadoms, but Clare spies dust on them, have they been on the floor? Can't be sure, seems alright to me, and the chutneys are pretty good - chili, lime, and mango.
The venue seems to be recommended by www.vegetarianvisitor.co.uk (never heard of them before) though the only vege main dish was the biriani, unless there was a secret vege only menu that I missed. I settled for 3 sides. They were OK, though not really spicy or that interestingly flavoured. Clare's chicken was OK, though it had to go back to be reheated.
I'd not go back again, what a shame.
2005 :: Comment / reply
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Hmmm... maybe you got them on a bad night. It can be quiet, and that combined with the fact that the chef likes high romantic classical music playing in his kitchen can make it a slightly surreal experience for those used to Ravi Shankar and loud conversations. But I've always found the food to be excellent, and all my London visitors have agreed when I've taken them there. I'm vege as well, and two or three sides is an ample feed (the mushroom thing is particularly nice). As the Waitrose review suggests, it's a lot more authentic than somewhere like the New Delhi (where, btw, they emptied our unused pickles back into a big communal jar RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME), but they're an ageing couple and I think times are harder than they used to be (they used to get a lot of French customers), so maybe they're cutting a few corners these days on quieter nights. Do give it another go - maybe on a busier night in the summer. They shut at ten (and sometimes on Saturdays) to avoid lager louts from Mustangs next door. Oh, btw, the "Blue Vinny" in Elham which I mentioned previously was crap and overpriced. Their "fresh pasta" was bought from "a local supplier" - tasted uncannily like Tescos' finest, but cost nearly a tenner.
Renewed congrats on the site, it's the best source of info on Folkestone on the web bar none.
2 Apr :: 2005 :: Comment / reply
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Maybe we will give it another go...
The chutney experience is not a nice one, happened to me the other day at our last curry in Stoke Newington (we have now moved to Folkestone full time) - everyone knows they must recycle them, but at least do it behind our backs!
Please tell your friends about the site, and feel free to submit reviews / recommendations of your own!
4 Apr :: 2005 :: Comment / reply
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Waitrose got a lot more out of The India than we did... Read their review.
