Buddamama Chinese takeaway

1 Meadow Court

Staverton

Trowbridge BA14 8TJ

www.buddhamama.uk

01225 766788

Parking: free outside

Off licence nearby too

Our ratings:

Food 7/10

Service 9/10

SADLY Wiltshire's upgrade to Tier 3 ahead of the New Year put paid to our plans to eat out on New Year's Day, a shame as we had hoped to try out an an old favourite now under new management.

So it was back to the sheaf of takeaway menus that decorate the kitchen windowsill.

Chinese, a longstanding favourite in our house, got the vote and we agreed to check out the offerings from Buddamama, having heard that this too has new owners recently.

It also isn't too far from home to collect, as although they do a delivery service we were worried the holidays might leave them with a flood of orders and problems getting them all out on time - and as we know to our cost, ours is not the easiest address to find in the dark.

The online ordering system worked well and a confirmation email dropped in swiftly.

The prices seemed very reasonable too, with two pairs of pancake rolls at £6.40 and a set meal for three at £30.

Our designated driver collected the food and reported that it was all ready and waiting at the correct time, the only delay being while the lady staffing the front desk had to take along complicated phone order just as he walked in.

Meadow Court, for those of you who only know the main road through Staverton, is just off the marina basin, so only a short drive over the canal bridge. There's a handy shop/off licence in the parade of shops, if you want pop or beer to wash your meal down with.

Unpacking the cartons at home, we realised all the dishes involved generous portions.

Our verdicts:

Sweet and sour king prawn balls - delicious batter, sauce not too thick and gloopy but perhaps a waste of a king prawn. They didn't seem to hold the heat as long as pork or chicken balls, either.

Chicken with cashew nuts - very tasty, but losing something from not having the cashews roasted and served in with the dish. We all appreciated why they were served separately in a plastic tub, but felt the dish lacked some flavour because of it.

Beef with mushroom - a smash hit, good thick slices of very succulent beef and plenty of tasty mushrooms.

Roast pork Chinese style - also a hit, more good quality large slices of tasty meat and the noodles served with this set it off perfectly

Yeung chau fried rice (large) - not just egg fried, more like special fried rice, stuffed with chunks of meat and lots of veggies. Delicious and very light.

Prawn crackers - as you'd expect

Pancake rolls - divided opinions here, I liked the slightly saltier juicier veggie mix than our usual haunt, while himself said he felt he'd have preferred it drier. No 2 daughter, who is notoriously fussy when it comes to food in batter, pointed out that here, as with the king prawns, the batter was exceptionally good quality, light and flaky on the outside with just the right amount of chewiness inside.

A very good meal, plenty for three to enjoy and sufficiently different to our usual takeaway to tempt us back for a second time.

ALISON PHILLLIPS

Buddamama Chinese takeaway

1 Meadow Court

Staverton

Trowbridge BA14 8TJ

www.buddhamama.uk

01225 766788

Parking: free outside

Off licence nearby too

Our ratings:

Food 7/10

Service 9/10