Bradford
The industrial northern town, set in the heart of Yorkshire rightfully competes with the likes of Birmingham and Manchester for the curry crown of England . The Curry Mile holds over twenty restaurants serving all variations such as Balti, Tandoori and Kashmiri. Kashmiri cooking forms the centrepiece of Bradford ’s curry reputation, reflected in part by the dominant Kashmiri community. This, Kashmiri cooking has raised culinary art to such a high level of sophistication that it has acquired an exotic, almost legendary, reputation. The fact is that you go to Bradford for a curry, and here are some of the best. Mumtaz is a well known curry restaurant in the region, although they are also well known for selling their produce such as bhajis and samosas in local supermarkets. Mumtaz has undergone a refurbishment in recent times, which has led to a huge expansion of the restaurant and sophistication found in only the best restaurants found anywhere.
The Kashmir restaurant is one of the oldest establishment's in the town and certainly lives up to its "cheap and cheerful" reputation. Two people can eat a three course meal for under a tenner, yet the quality of the food is by no means compromised.
Shiraz, International and K2 are typical smaller restaurants which pepper Bradford ’s streets, but each has its own unique feel and speciality dishes. Other restaurants include the likes of the Nawaab chain which also boasts restaurnats on the canary islands and the recently arrived Anam's Restaurant. Anam’s restaurant is a grand affair, aloft with chandeliers, a cosy and relaxed atmosphere, with spotlights and even a pond running along the entire length of the main hall, the pond has Koy Carp valued at several thousand pound each. It has to be said that this is perhaps one of the most exciting prospects to have entered the curry capital of Britain.
The fast food eating scene in this city certainly deserves a mention with major success stories such as Raja's which itself is rapidly developing into a national chain with outlets now as far as Leicester. The Lahore cafe on Great Horton Roadis also an interesting establishment, the owner building his business around a niche between the fast food and seated eating food industry, it's well worth a visit.
There are numerous other outlets such as UK Fried Chicken, Dixy's Fried Chicken and Oasis to mention just a few which provide students with the real deal when it comes to good food at very cheap prices.
Britain.tv’s Choice of the Month: Akbar's Restaurant
About ten minutes drive out from the city centre, along the Leeds Road Akbar’s sits resplendent as one of the most succesful curry chains in the UK. Setup and developed from scratch by the owner, building on the numerous requests made regularly by customers about the layout of curry houses in general, this restaurant prides itself on style, comfort, sophistication, superior layout, an amazingly buzzing ambience coupled with unmatched customer service by any, there is the constant switching of lights and the sounds of happy birthday resonating from around the restaurant as sparklers are lit and birthdays are celebrated. The interior is nothing short of spectacular, there is a real feel of warmth and a carnival atmosphere in the restaurant.
The standard menu is excellent, with huge naans which certainly fill a hole. With so many types of starter, multitude of main courses and about the same number of deserts which are changed regularly, the diner is constantly spoilt for choice. A visit to Akbar’s is not soon forgotten, and how better to im press than in one of the most state of the art asian restaurants in Europe coupled with one of the best customer service found anywhere. Akbar’s have also built a reputation for catering to a very superior level for parties, providing the complete service, included with the obvious splendour of the venue itself is the food.
