Takeaway recommendations

[andy w]

We were at Narvana last night and it was brilliant, as per usual. I shared the Nargis kebab (pretty much an Indian Scotch egg) for a starter and it was delightful. I've had a couple of takeaways from there too and they've both been superb. Lovely place.

All in all a really good night. Started out at the Rose & Crown and then on to the Swan before going for a curry. I had a mixed starter but they bought out an extra plate with salad for the wife which I thought was a nice touch. We both had a curry and shared a rice, keema naan and veggitable side dish. All very nice and just about finished it all off.
Good to see places busy up town with people about but seen a couple of people really worse for wear and it was only 9.30!

 

[Gramaisc]

Indian Scotch

 

[ATJ]

For takeway Indian, we always use Nishads and for Chinese we use Lotus House- both deliver, usually in around 45 minutes from ordering.

Narvarna is by far my favourite to eat in, but for some reason have never tried their takeaway service

 

[proactive]

Essence of the Orient for Chinese IMO and as Mr Marwood says, the chippy in Eccleshall is very good.

 

[Kingy]

Tiger Bowl for Chinese. Fast delivery times and above average food for a takeaway. Narvana/Panache for excellent and more unusual Indian food. The Royal Bangkok (great little Thai restaurant on Mill Bank) also do a collection only takeaway service.

 

[Trumpet]

Stafford Balti always gets my vote for Stafford takeaways, always seems to be more meat in their takeaways than their eat ins.

 

[Princedomino]

I had a takeaway from Narvana. The chicken was really good. Proper chunks of chicken. I had chicken tikka masala. I've had that loads of times from Indian takeaways but never had one like this. It was lovely but not to may taste. Very sweet and very coconutty. I won't have it again but it was very good & the chicken as I say was top quality. We tried the Tarkari as someone mentioned it on the forum. Again very tasty but I would ask next time if we could just have lamb in it as the mix of meat & fish meant it appeared smaller portion of meat/fish. The pilau rice was the best I've had. I've arranged to go and have an eat in meal there in March with 2 friends so am looking forward to that. Thnx for the recommendation everyone.

 

[Princedomino]

Something I've noticed over the last few years and was very obvious when I had my tikka masala from Narvana the other day is the type of chicken I get in takeaways. The tikka was big chunks of chicken obviously off a skewer - had holes in it lol. There were 8 pieces (good large Size) larger than I've seen in a takeaway for years which was more than equivalent to 16 pieces in takeaways I've had. In my Chinese takeaways from a variety of places the chicken has been nothing like that which I had from Narvana. My takeaways - particularly Chinese seem to be of reformed chicken. Now that sound like I know what that is but I don't really. All I know is its like plasticy chicken sometimes slimy. Am I being too fussy. Perhaps they steam the chicken in a Chinese? What does anyone know about what type of chicken is being used - I find it more in Chinese takeaways than I do in Indian takeaways but I do still observe it in Indian. Is Narvana Bangladeshi - did I read somewhere - does that make a difference? It was so refreshing to get the proper textured chunks of chicken in the masala. I hope all their chicken dishes will be made using that meat. It's made me think I don't really want to have a Chinese again now I've had such superior chicken.

 

[Goldilox]

On to my question for everyone else...Husband would like to know where there's a good 'Indian' takeaway in Stafford (not a Balti type takeaway),
We had takeaway from Ashiana last week and were a little disappointed as it seemed lacking in flavour, a bit watery, and husband (fussy eater) didn't like the fact that the lamb dish he ordered was on the bone and had some tubey/gristley bits in - which is a real shame as the staff there are always super helpful and friendly and the food is usually good...

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by 'balti-style takeaway' (surely you're never going to get a takeaway curry served in the dish it's been cooked in?) but I've had consistently good meals from Narvana and Spice Island. Having always liked the Rose of Kashmir I've never had a curry any better than 'just OK' since it moved. They seem to be so stingy with the spice and seasoning. I assume they're worried that food that actually tastes of something would drive away the hen parties that seem to be their bread and butter.

 

[littleme]

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by 'balti-style takeaway' (surely you're never going to get a takeaway curry served in the dish it's been cooked in?) but I've had consistently good meals from Narvana and Spice Island. Having always liked the Rose of Kashmir I've never had a curry any better than 'just OK' since it moved. They seem to be so stingy with the spice and seasoning. I assume they're worried that food that actually tastes of something would drive away the hen parties that seem to be their bread and butter.

I'm not sure what he means either, but I think he was spoilt when he lived in Stoke as he lived next door to a lovely Asian family who constantly fed him homemade food....that's what he's after!

 

[Bob]

Szechuan House is the nicest Chinese we've found in Stafford.



We used to order from Essence of the Orient, mainly because they were one of the few places that would deliver to the middle of nowhere. We found toward the end of us using them the quality had gone downhill. Our last order had gone missing, well the driver had, he rung up for directions but barely spoke English, at one point we could see him from the upstairs bedroom window - about three fields away and when we told him to turn left he went right 20 minutes and 3 phone calls later our food arrived and was cold. Half a crispy duck we ordered for around £15 was nothing more than skin and bone so we rang them and told them to take it back. We didn't even get an apology and I ended up feeding 6 people with 3 different meals from out the freezer.



Szechuan House send the duck out without shredding it first, so you can see the meat still on the bone, the quality is always brilliant, the understanding of the English language is good and they chuck in a free ice cream and fortune cookie. Better still they deliver to us and it’s always hot and on time.

 

[tek-monkey]

Not been to EotO for a while, but my other half went last year and refuses to go back again. Food was horribly over salted (and she loves salt!) and when she told someone they just shrugged and walked off. That was for a birthday too, so a fair few customers for them but they just couldn't care less. About 4 years ago we had an amazing meal in there, but my last visit about 2 years ago it was merely adequate.

As I've said before, I think we've been spoiled. I used to appreciate a three course balti for £8, nowadays I'd rather pay double that for a single course I really like. What I resent is paying double for the same quality anyway, which often happens. Still Narvana all the way for me.

 

[Thehooperman]

We had a very nice meal at the Chetwynd Arms the other night (and it was 2 for 1).

To top the meal off we ordered two deserts to takeaway in a box and enjoyed them later at home once the main course had digested. The puddings were very nice, also 2 for 1 and absolutely huge, enough to easily feed 2 people per pudding.

I'm not sure how you would fare if you added ice cream or custard to the box though.

 

[My Name is URL]

Finally made it to Narvana on Saturday and have to agree with all of the excellent feedback.

First went in and was a little worried that they were no longer BYOB when I saw they sold booze on the menu. Thankfully was a little more reassured when others walked in with some.

There was a large group of lads in there on Saturday, might have been a stag do, got a little rowdy at times and in such a small location made it quite difficult to talk and be heard, but nothing major and certainly not the restaurants fault.

Anyway the people we were with know their way around a curry house and they were very impressed with the food. Service was also excellent despite the staff being rushed off their feet with the place being full. Personally I had the Chicken Uree which has beans in it... not my normal curry dish but was delicious.

So many quality Indians in Stafford but this is our new favourite.

 

[Princedomino]

Looking for Chinese takeaway tonight. Post number 31 says Schezuan house is good but that post is 18 months old. Anyone got any up to date experiences of chinese takeaway please that they would recommend for tonight. Thanks.

 

[littleme]

Looking for Chinese takeaway tonight. Post number 31 says Schezuan house is good but that post is 18 months old. Anyone got any up to date experiences of chinese takeaway please that they would recommend for tonight. Thanks.

We usually use Kim's Kitchen on Sandon Rd, but to be honest the last time we had takeaway from there it wasn't great - some of it cold, some over cooked & it didn't seem like they'd made much effort. Such a shame as I love their crispy chicken in peking sauce & chilli chicken & a takeaway is a real one off treat for us now.

Like to hear everyone else's recommendations - we too were thinking of takeaway tonight --- AAAAANNNDDDDD....don't forget to order early, we waited hours a few years ago for new years eve curry!

 

[Princedomino]

Thnx littleme. Yes I'd agree about timing and tell anyone to order early as its New Years eve. Last year we waited too long so I went to collect it. We used lotus house which is good but not brilliant. Any other recommendations are most welcome please.
At the moment it seems I'll try Szechuan house unless anyone gives me other feedback.

 

[andy w]

The Lotus House is consistently good but we find popping the food in the oven for a couple of minutes makes it nice and hot.

 

[John Marwood]

 

[John Marwood]

Are the chippies open tonight bab?