Nepalese Delight At The Munal

Research for a school leavers party was a great excuse for a evening out!

Keen to find catereing for our sons' class leaving party my fellow class rep & I "dragged" our respective partners out for a curry atthe Munal Tandoori over the weekend to choose a menu and discuss numbers, pricing etc.....

The restaurant is light & airy (with air-conditioning for those balmy spring & summer evenings) and the welcome was warm and friendly - the restaurant was quickly filling with various large groups plus one table of QPR fans who were out celebrating discretely (!) their team's promotion.

Large cobra beers (£4.20) were ordered by the men folk with the ladies having the more modestly sized Kingfisher beers (£2.25) and whilst we discussed menu choices with the manager we tucked in to papadums (spicy or plain) (50p each) with various dips.

We were recommended to offer the parents & teachers a choice of lamb (£2.95) & the spicier vegetable samosas (£2.75) plus onion bhajees (two large bhajee for £2.75) and the much loved papadums for starters at the party.

On to main courses and we asked for his recommendations for a meat, a chicken & a vegetable option. The courses that came our way were: a very tender lamb bhuna gosth (£6.20), a mild creamy chicken tikka masala (£6.95) which was also very tender and tasty although for me a non cream option would be preferred. As a vegetarian option or side curry we were served a mixed vegetable korma (£4.50) with plain nan (£1.60) and pilao rice (£2.45). All were very tasty but in hindsight two creamy dishes was too much and we have opted for a plain medium mixed vegetable curry for our party (£3.95).

The menu is extensive but don't expect that to apply to the tea & coffee options - there is "normal tea" or "normal coffee" - no peppermint or herbal teas nor european coffees are available.

The service was friendly & unobtrusive never making us feel rushed despite a busy Saturday night, and the portion size is very generous (be warned) - the final bill for four well fed adults was £88.35 - service not included.

Sandi Bloomfield

May 9, 2011