Brick Lane: drinks/curry advice wanted!

[AllyCat]

I've just arranged to have dinner with an American chum this evening and meeting him in the Brick Lane area... has anyone got any suggestions for a good pub/bar to meet in followed by a decent curry? I know there are masses along there so am hoping for recommendations!

Thanks!

[Bellenden Belle]

There's a lovely bar with a really great atmosphere here:

http://www.carnivale.co.uk/Carnivale/Carnivale_Whitechapel_London_Home.html

Just at the bottom of Brick Lane - a good place to start.

[SeanMacGabhann]

When in that area I like the traditional comforts of

this place

with a lovely cat and possibility of being so old-school English as to wow your US chum

But for bars, you have the Big Chill Bar, 93 feet east and Vibe Bar in the old Truman Brewery

Tayaabs is the best food but possibly too informal for guest-wowing - the identikit curry houses along the lane itself are just that IME. If you are used to LL curry houses you probably won't get anything too different to that

[AllyCat]

Hmm - I was wondering about Tayyabs - he's a good friend so I'm not to worried about the wow factor! Is it far to walk?

Like the look of both Carnivale and The Pride of Spitalfields - thanks!

[benjaminty]

Tayyabs definitely

[Bellenden Belle]

I went to Tayyabs abotu a month ago...or at least I tried to....I have never seen so many people queuing for a table. Don't know if you can book, but if you can, definitely do to avoid disappointment.

[globalskier]

Tayyabs tayyabs tayyabs. Forget the rest.

Book a table or go early. Bring your own booze as they aren't licenced.

[Floating Onion]

Haha. I'd already suggested Tayyabs. Glad to get some backup. Both bar suggestions look good too!

[felt-tip]

If you cant get into Tayyabs then try Needoo around the corner. Its the same menu and its the old head chef of Tayyabs that runs it. I personally think its better than Tayyabs. Don't bother with curry on Brick Lane.

Drinks: Pride of Spitalfields down Brick Lane.

[DirtyBox]

Avoid Brick Lane, they are all horrible, instead go to the Lahore Kebab House (not a kebab house despite the name) on Commercial Road, it's very very good.

http://www.lahore-kebabhouse.com/

not a lot of bars round there though....

[Michael Palaeologus]

Why weren't we all invited to Tayyabs? Hmm? :))

[simpo]

Muhib is a must. Quite small but tried it a few years ago (it was the only one that didn't have staff out on the street hassling every passer by) and have been many times since. Authentic food and great service. Plus it's bring your own and you get a discount in the newsagent opposite (which just about brings prices down to normal-ish) if you mention you're eating there...

http://www.muhibindiancuisine.co.uk/

[Michael Palaeologus]

Cool. Thanks Simpo! I will have to investigate.

[tommy]

you can book online for Tayyabs

[AllyCat]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the suggestions....

We had a really nice evening - met the Yank for a drink at Pride of Spitalfields - he loved it as he loves traditional english pubs - not so much my cup of tea - I'd have liked to try Carnivale - but another time!

We had a couple of drinks in there, then headed for Tayyabs - I rang ahead to make sure they could fit us in - they said yes - arrived just after 9pm - there was a queue so we had to wait for about 10 - 15 mins then were seated... I have to say I was actually expecting amazing things - maybe for it to be more like Ganapati - with unusual indian food but it was pretty standard dishes. The service left something to be desired however - the staff were very rushed and we felt pressured into making our choices, even though they had run out of some of the choices - but then at the end of the meal it took us nearly 20 minutes to get our bill.

It was nice food - but I actually thought some it as it was pretty oily, and the pilau rice was only OK - the mixed grill we had as a started was great though - pretty spicy lamb koftas, tender chicken tikka and lamb chops, and one of the mains was a minced lamb in sauce which was pretty yummy too! The other dishes though had a good pool of oil swimming in them.

So - all in all, I'm pleased we tried it out and I would go back again if I was in the area but I'm not sure I'd make a special trip for a curry there!

Ally "Maschler" Cat !!!

[felt-tip]

if you prefer the Keralan style of curry (like Ganapati) then give Rasa a try. There is a branch in Charlotte Street but the original veggie one in Stoke Newington is the best. It is significantly cheaper than Ganapati too.

[Mick Mac]

AllyCat Wrote:

> So - all in all, I'm pleased we tried it out and I

> would go back again if I was in the area but I'm

> not sure I'd make a special trip for a curry

> there!

>

> Ally "Maschler" Cat !!!

That's my experience of Brick Lane too. Its been a few years since I went there, but from memory what's available in ED now is better.