rajdoot in birmingham has been part of the curry scene for over forty years, and is one of the most established indian restaurants in the city. let’s see what this jewellery quarter-based restaurant, serving up north indian cuisine cooked by chefs trained in india, has to offer.
atmosphere
stepping into the restaurant, you can’t help but feel yourself relax in this oasis of eastern calm. receiving a warm welcome, we were seated on a plump banquette in the reception area with plenty of bombay mix for company. after perusing the menu at our leisure, we ordered our meals before being led to our table in the main restaurant. featuring exotic art, traditional music andlowlighting, the interior is both sumptuous and intimate; perfect for a loved-up meal with a partner.
food
with poppadums and plentiful amounts of dip arriving before the meal, the shish kebab and gingered lamb chops were first up. the lamb shish was spicy and of a good quality, whilst the flavour combinations in the lamb chops were well matched. for our mains we chose methi chicken and king prawn masalla. my chicken was a heavenly, creamy, smooth-tasting dish full of big hunks of meat. the prawns in tomato sauce had just a hint of a kick.
i love vegetable-based indian dishes and i’m glad i opted for a side of bengan aloo. rich, flavoursome and buttery, this dish shows that meat can be just an optional extra when the food is prepared so expertly. the peshwari naan was a sweet delight and a welcome addition to the meal.
drinks
both of us opted for soft drinks on this occasion, but a wide selection of beers and wines are also available. the opulent decor lends itself to sipping on a glass of something indulgent.
pricing
shish kebab = £6.95
gingered lamb chops = £7.50
methi chicken = £12.50
king prawn masalla = £16.80
bengan aloo = £6.95
peshwari naan = £3.50
total (two diners) = £54.20
overall
what marks out rajdoot from the rest is the ambiance. the traditional, ornate setting is complemented by thelowlighting and unhurried service. this is a great place to sit and unwind at the end of the week. although it is a touch pricey, there is a great set lunch menu and i’d urge you to go green and try a few vegetarian options.