Rajput, Bewdley
This stylish state-of-the-art Indian eaterie almost looks out of place on the high street of the picture postcard town of Bewdley. But the Rajput in Load Street could not be more at home as the fourth Indian restaurant to open in the same street.
After a smart £625,000 conversion of an old shop, proprietor Raj Choudhury has created a winning blend of style and taste.
The Rajput is part of a family chain of restaurants already well established in Codsall near Wolverhampton and the Mailbox in Birmingham.
Mr Choudhury is also busy trying to set up a restaurant in London's fashionable Berkeley Square.
As soon as you step into the cocktail lounge reception diners can't fail to be impressed by the stylish decor and smart fixtures and fittings.
Mr Choudhury has chosen a lush red colour theme throughout the two storey restaurant and contemporary wall lamps to give the building a real atmospheric boost.
But the proof of the pudding is in the eating and we were not to be let down.
On a balmy early September night, my friend and I settled down to our first course. The food is billed as a fusion of Anglo-Indian cuisine which will appeal to lovers of colourful ingredients, spices and herbs.
There was a wide range of 14 appetisers to choose from ranging from the traditional onion bhaji priced £3.50 to the Nargis Kofte, a spicy minced lamb wrapped around a boiled egg with a mini omelette priced £4.50.
We had the obligatory poppadoms priced 75p each which were served with lovely dips and chutney.
I opted for the sheek kebab priced £3.50 which came with a sprinkling of lettuce and was very tasty.
My friend opted for the jumbo prawns cooked in garlic costing £5.50 which he said were delicious.
For the main course there are two choices - a more expensive Anglo Indian fusion specialist menu or the cheaper chef's specialities.
I opted for the lamb biryani which was served with a tasty vegetable curry sauce. The meat was tender and sweet to the taste and at £7.95 was good value for money.
The rest of the chef's menu is extensive and all priced £7.50. It includes chicken tikka masala, chicken tikka shaslick with onions and peppers and chicken tikka sagwala cooked with fresh spinach.
The Anglo Indian menu offers asta bora murgh priced £14.95 which is a baby chicken with homemade spicy rice, tandoori lamb shank at £14.95 and mass biran - sea bass cooked in exotic spices with lime, priced £15.95.
There is a range of Rajput favourites such as chicken vindaloo, madras and roganjosh all priced £6.95. Rice is an extra £2.30.
Overall the Rajput is a very modern dining experience with a meal to suit all wallets. It offers good value for money combined with some incredible flavours and tastes.
Sol Buckner
Load Street, Bewdley, Telephone: 01299 409409
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