Wombourne Tandoori

This restaurant has been around for a while hasn't it?

Well yes and for quite a while now naming the top Indian restaurant in Wombourne has never really been something to quibble about. Pretenders to the curry-based throne have come and gone but the multi award-winning Wombourne Tandoori has been king of the village pretty much since it opened in 1989. It's got some history to it, is still under the same management today and villagers have been spoilt by its consistently top-notch standards.

However a year or so ago the impressive Tiffu's, offering a rich a varied menu of contemporary Bangladeshi cuisine, opened just a few yards away – and a curry war broke out. With people now having two top curry houses to choose from, it seemed like a good time to check if the Tandoori was still on top of its game.

So how was the place looking?

Very smart indeed. If you haven't been for a few years Wombourne Tandoori has been kitted out with a new refurbishment which is similar in style to the not-a-million-miles-away Penn Tandoori and it's given the place a fresh modern look. It was also full of diners – we went on a Friday night and it was packed the rafters.

If it was so busy I imagine you might have to have waited a while for your food?

Not a chance. One of the Tandoori's best qualities has always been its level of service and this night was no different. When you walk inside you're always greeted by at least two waiters eager to attend to you and during our meal we were looked after by at least four, who checked how our food was during each course. They're friendly and very good at their jobs, which always makes the experience more pleasurable and encourages you to go back.

So how about the food?

In a word, exceptional. We kept it fairly simple with onion bhajee and chicken chat for starters which were both magnificently presented alongside salads and sauces on the same plate – with sauces having their own separate compartments. Nice touch.

The onion bhajee was crispy and wholesome while the chat was lightly dusted with gorgeous spices.

For the main we plumped for a gorgeously creamy chicken passanda – complete with a red-wine-tinged sauce and sprinkled with almonds – as well as a divine chicken pathia.

Garnishing these with garlic and peshwari nans – both of a generous size and perfectly combing taste and texture – plus a helping of pilau rice was more than enough.

So there was no room dessert and we were full to the brim, although a minted chocolate and a shot of Baileys both went down very nicely indeed.

If the food's that good I expect the price was quite high?

On the contrary it was very cheap for the quality on offer. The total came to around the £30 mark, although there was no alcohol involved (the Tandoori is licensed for alcohol, however) which made it cheaper.

Still, considering we both struggled to walk to the car park, so contently full were we, you have to say £30 is fantastic value.

So does the Tandoori wear the Wombourne Curry King crown?

It's too close to call but if you're in the market for a good curry you can do an awful lot worse than Wombourne Tandoori.

An exceptional restaurant which continues to main its very high standards.

ADDRESS:

High Street, Wombourne, WV5 9DN

Tel: 01902 324148 / 324437

www.wombournetandoori.com