AS IT’S National Curry Week, a visit to an Indian restaurant seemed to be in order.
Having spotted a sign for “Swindon’s only pure vegetarian restaurant” - a claim I wouldn’t dispute - we headed for Chutneys in Gorse Hill, an area which offers an abundance of different and interesting cuisines.
Last time I was there it was for barbecued meat at the Brasilian Gostinho Do Brasil, so it made quite a contrast to sample a vegetable-only menu.
The family-run business comprises of a shop at the front of the premises, leading on to a dining area. It has more the feel of a café than a restaurant but it’s none the worse for that.
Our greeting - and service throughout - was friendly and helpful and people popping in to shop helped keep the atmosphere lively even though we were the only diners on a rainy Tuesday lunchtime.
When it came to ordering we were quite stumped as to what a vast amount of things on the menu actually were. But thanks to some advice and a look at posters of some of them on the wall we tried some new dishes and enjoyed them all.
First we shared aloo tiki chat (£3.95), chilli paneer rolls (£3.95) and peas kachori (£2.95).
The aloo tiki chat comprised of potato patties in a mix of onions, peppers and chick peas with a good spicy sauce.
The rolls stuffed with veg and paneer soft cheese and the balls of peas kachori were crispy and even though deep-fried weren’t greasy.
They were accompanied by a delicious tamarind dipping sauce.
As our host told us he’d just finished making Bombay potato curry (£3.95) we went on to try that. It was nothing like any version I’ve had before. The potato pieces were served in a rich, dark sauce which tasted so good we were glad to have a light, fluffy parantha (£1.50) to mop it up with.
All the dishes featured good ingredients freshly cooked and the abundance of spices - cumin, ginger, mustard seeds, coriander and many more - made for excellent fare so interesting that the absence of meat wasn’t an issue.
Chutneys also prides itself on its authentic Indian sweets, but those being a taste I’ve never acquired, we gave them a miss.
With a large bottle of mineral water (£1.50), mango lassi (£1.50) and Indian masala tea (£1.50) the bill was a smidgen over £20 - very reasonable for good food.
We’ll be back to discover what pani puri, idli sambar and mogo chips are . . . Curry Week or not.
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