After such a rip-roaringly successful visit to Shalimar last year with friends, we decided to do it again as we all convened at Landal Darwin Forest for our get-together. We rocked up a bit early, so whilst we waited for Fledge and The Beau we had some pre-dinner drinkies: G&T’s for me and Bestie, J2O for Ginger Ninja, and lagers for His Nibs and The Bolton Wanderer. Shortly after, Fledge and Beau arrived, and one of the team showed us to our table – it was the same one we’d had last year, complete with lazy Susan in the centre; I love those things!
The crunchy poppadoms and pickle tray (with extra Mango Chutney for Ginge!) soon disappeared into our hungry tummies and we all awaited our starters with excitement. Fledge and BB had gone for Prawn Puri, I had Chicken Tikka, The Beau had Seek Kebab, and TBW and The Man had Shashlik Tikka. All of them were delicious, plentiful and nicely presented with salad garnish and, as we were eating them, several members of Shalimar’s team checked we were happy with our choices.
As well as serving up tasty, authentic Indian cuisine, Shalimar also has wines available at very reasonable prices. TBW and myself like red wines, His Nibs and BB prefer white ones, so we ordered a bottle of each; Fledge was doing the taxi run back to our villa, so she was on Lemonade.
Most of our group had dishes off the regular menu for mains, but it was when TBW asked for a Madras -strength curry and was asked if he enjoyed spicier dishes that things got interesting.
An offer to cook an ‘off menu’ curry, Handi, was made and before you could say ‘Tikka Masala’, both TBW and The Man Bird were signed up for a culinary adventure: TBW went for Chicken, His Nibs had the mixed Handi. To go with the curries, we ordered Lemon and Cashew Rice, Mushroom Pilau Rice, Peshwari Naans, and Coriander, Cheese and Chilli Naan. Only Ginger Ninja went for something completely different; a lot of younger family members will go for milder/creamier curries, but not our gal. Eschewing Indian food altogether, GN went for Sirloin Steak and Chips!
Several other large groups were dining at Shalimar the same evening as our party, but the service was seamless and Chef clearly runs a tight ship in the kitchen as we weren’t waiting overly long for our meals. To keep disruption to a minimum and ensure we all started eating together, several members came out bearing multiple plates and dishes, and we all tucked in together.
As with our first courses, the food was excellent - both in terms of quality and quantity - and there were smiles all round, especially from the chaps who were very happy with their Handi curries. My little Ninja said her Sirloin was very tasty and cooked to her liking (medium) and, trust me, this kiddo knows her onions (well, Steak!). All the sundries were hot and plentiful too, though none of it went begging with this bunch of vultures!!
It's one of life’s mysteries, that space in our tummies that magically appears whenever desserts are mentioned, isn’t it? BB and I had to wimp out and have a Cointreau-laden Hot Chocolate as our puds though, as we really were stuffed; if you haven’t tried this temptation yet, it tastes just like a Terry’s Choc Orange in liquid form. Various sweet treats got consumed……and somehow, two bottles of King Cobra lager got ordered – no prizes for guessing whose gullets they disappeared down!
All too soon, it was time to head back to Darwin Forest and hop into the Hot Tub, and Fledge did a sterling job of being taxi. Thanks again to the wonderful Shalimar team; sadly, Ali wasn’t there that particular evening, but we’ll be back to see him soon, no doubt. Hot Wings happily awarded here again.
To book a table ring 01629 735999 or visit the website www.theshalimar.co.uk and hit the ‘book a table’ button. There’s also menu details and current opening times on the website, too.
