Location
Punjab Sweet House & Grill Centre,
122-126 Listerhills Rd,
Bradford,
BD7 1JR
01274 720308 ()
Time
24th March 2012 @ ~21:00
Attendees
(Rob, Gill), Jenny, Pete, Ian, Lara Lynda and John (me)
Pre-Curry
Watering Holes
No children
on this trip, so a proper pub-crawl - albeit short - had been engineered in to
the start of this Bradford Curry eating trip.
 |
| Inside the Sparrow |
First up was
the Sparrow Bier Café, on North Parade, and a very popular little beer drinking
café-bar it was too. Pretty cool with
exotic beer advertising plaques on the wall, and little Formica tables and
chairs. Although specializing in beer,
we started with a couple of bottle of wine – just to get the evening going you
understand – so can’t really comment on the beer quality. Basically, there were a number of speciality beers, including local ales, on draft, and also bottled continental types
too. It was noted as being, by a member
of our party, “my new favourite place in Bradford
for a drink” - high praise indeed and I’m sure it’ll be on the hit list for
pre-curry drinks in the future.
Next was The
Castle Hotel. Here, a famous old Bradford drinking den was visited by us for the first
time. To be honest I’ve never really
done much drinking in Bradford really –
probably shows. The Castle Hotel is a
pretty bog standard ‘oldie worldy’ pub with a good selection of Real Ales. I understand it to be popular with the CAMARA
types. I had a pint of something, which
name escapes me, but was quite hoppy I recall.
 |
| Inside the Fighting Cock |
The belly
was rumbling now, but one final drink was to be taken at, from what I
understand to be, the Bradford pub that towers above all other Bradford pubs – The Fighting Cock. You see, again, I’ve never been. I’ve been aware of its presence, and driven
past and seen all the beer barrels out side but never stepped inside. It certainly looks the business, and was
expecting a real dark and dingy, small, spit and sawdust type of place. How wrong I was. It was full of trendy types sipping at their
artisan real ales. Surprisingly large
inside, it was very reminiscing of Fanny’s in Shipley, which we visited a
couple of months ago. It is a Bradford institution and one not to be missed. Dutch lager was my weapon of choice. It was good, it was lager.
Another big
plus point for the Fighting Cock is that it’s just around the corner from the Punjab Sweet House & Grill
Centre.
Expectations
 |
| The Mixed Sizzling Starter |
Punjab don’t seem
to like to advertise, and don’t have a web site!! Other than driving past on occasion, the Punjab has passed me by entirely. However, word of mouth is a powerful thing,
and once probing the enigma that is the Punjab Sweet House and Grill Centre,
it was clear that the establishment is held in high regard. Therefore, I was hoping to find a hidden gem
and something a little special off the beaten track. Also, the aforementioned Fighting Cock was
around the corner.
The Reality
The extended
drinking time meant we arrived at the Punjab
gone 9pm. This was good because the tea
time rush was starting to ease some what – when we passed on our way the ‘Cock
it was heaving.
 |
| Atmospheric Shot of Punjab |
The open
kitchen was a nice to see and it was good to spend a few moments watching the
chefs producing the fresh food with bursts of flames and bangs and clatters,
and loading the tandoors with freshly rolled nanns. The Punjab
was looking promising.
Décor fell
into the posh café style. It was clean
and presentable. There is also an
attached sweet centre, but this was closed by the time we left. We’ll have to ensure an earlier eating time
for our next visit.
 |
| Inside the Punjab |
No
complimentary poppadoms to munch on as we perused the menu, but these were
ordered as a pre starter to our Special Mixed Grill. We asked for the chicken wings to be swapped
for more chicken tikka, which was not a problem; and the dish arrived spitting
and sizzling on its red hot cast iron plinth.
All aspects of the dish (lamb chops, chicken tikka and kebabs) were
wonderful – moist, succulent, full of flavour with spice that danced on the
tongue and attacked every taste bud.
 |
| Lamb Handi |
The menu was
full and varied as whole, but didn’t offer too many dish options beyond the
standard fare seen all over Bradford. However, the Lamb Handi (on the bone) jumped
out at me as something worth trying. I’m
glad I did. The dish was pomp and
ceremony, and arrived bubbling away in a clay pot held aloft and heated by its
own tea light fuelled holder - very grand and unique. A new experience was about to be had I could
tell. As for the taste – it wasn’t all
‘talk and no trousers’ either – and the word rich doesn’t do it justice!! I’m guessing all the marrow from the bones
must have seeped out to produce a curry with depth of flavour far beyond the any
I’ve sampled in this town… indeed the world.
The Handi was ultimate hedonistic decadence in curry form - quite simply
gorgeous.
Drinks Policy and range
Punjab is strictly
alcohol free. Calibrate in the Fighting
Cock – if that’s your bag – prior to your arrival, and enjoy the delights of
tap water and lassi during your meal.
 |
| Another shot of the Lamb Handi |
Highlights
Lots of
highlights – basically, for me, just a great night out from start to
finish. The Sparrow and the ‘Cock got
the evening rolling with good booze and chat in atmospheric environs, then onto
the Punjab where one of the – no THE - most
lavish and decadent curry I’ve every eaten was savored to the last.
Lowlights
Only having
too much enjoyment!! The enjoyment levels were at such heights we missed the
last train. Luckily the Punjab was on hand to sort appropriate transport for our
party. Still, it was an unnecessary taxi
fare. NB – this is not a reflection of
slow service or anything – just us sitting in the boozer too long!!
The Damage
I didn’t
notice the bill come around the table – again!!
Sorry. I’m getting good at this.
Aftershock
The richness
of my curry had taken its toll to a certain extent, resulting in indigestion
and a small amount of squiffy tumminess to following morning. But our livers thank us for the late finish
in the Punjab and straight into a taxi home.
Overall
We really found
our hidden gem, and Punjab really lived up to
the ‘word of mouth’ hype I’d come across on the internet. Miss it out at your peril.
John
ReplyDeleteYou have never been to The Fighting Cock?, cf Bier-Traveller.com.
As for Lamb Handi on the bone, you should always try a Lamb on-the-bone when available. Go to the Sheesh Mahal, soon!
Have you just recently moved to Bradford?
Hector
Yes I know very poor!!
ReplyDeleteMums from Bradford, I was born in Ilkley, and have essentially always lived in the area (North Leeds/Bradford). It was just that when growing up etc, we always went out in Leeds. We went to Bradford for curry, but never really 'out out'. Apart from the area around the Uni, I know of very few Bradford pubs.
Only really now exploring these places since starting the blog.
Yes I think I'm a lamb on the bone convert now. Had other dishes at other places with the meat on the bone, but was indifferent to it. Defo in to it now.
Sheesh Mahal coming up soon.
Thanks
John