Panache Stafford, Stone Road - Indian restaurant

loveatfirstbite

Well-Known Forumite
i went to panache when it first opened and remember loving it - tbh i don't ever go up that end of town so have never thought to go back. i remember it being pricier than your average indian but worth it. that was when it first opened. anyway - i went there on saturday night for my birthday as my mum offered to pay so we went to panache for a spot of indian food. oh my lordy. every single bit of food was exsquisite!! i even had pudding, which i don't ussually. they have such a choice on the menu, esspecially for people like myself who don't like red meat. food i've never thought of combining - and i've never had such a tasty sauce in my life. creamy and tomatoey and spicy but not too much spice. to my taste (altho im not curry conisuer) it was all fresh and exceptional. my friends and i decided that we'd rather meet once a month in panache than every 2 weeks in a cheaper curry place as it was such to die for food. i really wanted to write about it on the forum as i want everyone to give it a go - i can't find any recent discussion of the place and it doesnt look much from the outside. its rated best restaurant in stafford according to trip advisor! interested to know what you guys think of the place
 

Lucy

Well-Known Forumite
We used to go quite a lot when I still lived in Stafford, and had my birthday do there this year. Absolutely brilliant, and the set mzsnu is good value.
 

Rowley Reg

Well-Known Forumite
We used to live fairly close and absolutely loved the place - exceptional food, fantastic friendly service. Thanks for the reminder, we will now just have to go this week.
 

grumpystaffordguy

Well-Known Forumite
I do live close, but no longer go. The food was great when it first opened, but the last couple of times I have been (both mid week) the food was below par. The starters in particular tasted like reheated leftovers. Well either that or the chef over cooked everything!
When they do it right it is a nice meal though and the meat seems higher quality than the norm.
 

Jade-clothing

Well-Known Forumite
We love it too, we live just around the corner and go for a meal every couple of weeks - never been disappointed and the 2 course menu for £8.95 is really good value - although limited for choice on it.
 

grumpystaffordguy

Well-Known Forumite
What do you guys have though? I'm wondering if my quest for always trying different menu options is why I have a different dining experience? If it sounds wacky or interesting then I order it!
 

scallywag

Well-Known Forumite
We love this place, such a brilliant menu with different dishes. Yes it is a bit pricy but it isn't your usual curry house. The staff cannot do enough for you and the food is exquisite. Comfortable surroundings and not far out whichever end of town you live in. Can't praise it too highly
 

Trumpet

Well-Known Forumite
Comfortable surroundings and not far out whichever end of town you live in.
Unless you live in Moss Pit.
Went when it first opened and thought it was very good if a little pricier than the town places. Don't know why we've never been back.
 

Hayley Roberts

Well-Known Forumite
I really enjoy it every time we go here. Always think the guys running it are so friendly and wanting to look after us.
 

db

#chaplife
went to panache last night for the first time ever..

first impressions on entering - very impressed! very welcoming staff, lovely ambiance - we turned up a bit earlier than the rest of our group, and it was nice to have a separate bar area with nice, comfy leather armchairs to sit in, and plenty of choice of drinks :)

plenty to choose from on the menu as well - i really was spoilt for choice.. unfortunately, the whole evening was completely let down by the speed of the service (or lack thereof) :( we placed our order at approx. 19:30, and the mains didn't arrive until around 22:00.. the food was nice enough, but not outstanding imo.. plus a few of us (me included) felt it was tepid at best, as if it has been sitting around for a good while before being served..

pros

  • lovely building inside, great atmosphere
  • friendly staff
  • comfy bar area, plenty of drink selection
  • great menu - chicken korahi was particularly lovely
  • set menu option - 11.95 for starter, curry & rice, with a decent choice of options

cons

  • very slow service
  • too big a gap between courses
  • very small portions - i paid £3.50 for 2 (yes, two) samosas as a starter! :lorks:
  • a few people who had lamb dishes found the lamb to be overcooked and a bit tasteless
  • normal menu items (i.e. those not on the set menu) are very expensive (mine was nothing special and was £13.50!!)


i definitely wouldn't go back, which is an awful shame because the evening had a promising start and there were plenty of things which were nice about the place - but it really was ruined by how long everything took to get done..

a large portion of the evening was spent talking about how much of a shame it was that we decided against narvana for once!
 

grumpystaffordguy

Well-Known Forumite
It was only a couple of weeks ago I was in there and the service was fine. In fact we thought they served the main course too quick after the starters and would rather have had a longer break. It was a busy night when we went. However I agree the portion sizes are small and I wasn't blown away by the quality of the meat either. When it first opened the quality of the meat was superb, but its nowhere near as good now.
 

ChrisLewis

Well-Known Forumite
Love the place - but they never got the curb appeal right, if you didn't know about it, you certainly would think twice about stopping and going in, real shame they never spent a bit of cash on tidying up the carpark or occasionally doing a litter pick - just saying.
 

UltraSBM

Not the official 2520th poster!
I love the place.
The food is the most amazing I have ever tasted.

Sure it isn't cheap, but you definitely get what you pay for!

I know they are closing down, however that is due to the owners of the building selling up to make room for a private care home.
I have heard a rumour that their new place is at the malt and hops island (yes I still call it that!).

Don't quote me on that tho :)

I'm sure they'll get more foot traffic there.
It still saddens me however as I only live a few hundred metres from them at the moment so I can have a few drinks and walk home.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
I have heard a rumour that their new place is at the malt and hops island (yes I still call it that!).

Mmm, previously denied. First post for a year and it's controversial.. - http://www.staffordforum.com/xf/ind...ng-to-the-island-pub.10320/page-4#post-192714

Hi All.... I Can CONFIRM that Panache will not be moving there. However the Guys at Panache are looking for a new site to move to within the next 3 months. The Panache Site is going to be a 70 bed care home and the owners are seeking a new site to move to.

If anyone has any locations for the guys at Panache. Please let me know.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
The Crispin as was

Crispin was the patron saint of cobblers

I thought I might shoe that one in

Mr Pastry

Today is St Crispin's day. Rejoice!

st-crispin-crispinian.jpg
 
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