Omar Khan’s Wine Bar and Indian Restaurant - Skipton

Location

Omar Khan’s,

Keighley Road

Skipton

West Yorkshire

BD23 2TA

Tel: 01756 460080 

http://www.omarkhans.co.uk/index.asp

Time

29^th July 2012 @ ~17:00

Attendees

Jenny, Lilly, Dan Dan, Ian, Lara, Lynda, Izzy and John (me)

Expectations

I was very excited about visiting the new Omar Khan’s in Skipton.  The ‘other’ Omar Khan’s (in Bradford) was the first restaurant we visited as the Bradford Curry Club – so is where it all started really.  That inaugural Curry Club meet seems a very very long time ago, and much curry has flowed beneath the bridge since then.  I recall an excellent night out – so, the question is, will the new Skipton branch live up to the memories?  Different to Bradford, Skipton also offered the option of al fresco dining and a children’s adventure playground.  But wait, there’s yet more - I’d spotted a special offer of Free Mixed Sizzler starter, for dinners who book tables, through the month August – I was straight on the phone.  Everything was all stacking up nicely.

The Reality

The weather was sunny, but a little changeable, and breezy, so the joy of outside dining was pretty much out of the question.  The sun would, however, play havoc as it streamed through the large glass windows to the front of the very trendy restaurant – we baked!  It didn’t stop us enjoying the wonderful hospitality and brilliant food served up by Omar Khan’s.

After the initial poppadom’s and pickle’s – which were, as is so often the case, good and fresh – the special offer complimentary Mixed Sizzler’s arrived.  Now, in my experience, as seems to be quite often the case, ‘special offer’ fare can, sometimes, be found to be, somewhat lacking in both quality and/or volume – not so with an Omar Khan’s special offer.  No Sirrreee!

What arrived was what I assume to the full blown Mixed Sizzler as per the menu – and for 6 people!  It was huge and split between three sizzling platters – the full Monty basically!  There were onion bhajee, lamb and chicken kebabs and stacks of chicken tikka.  All super. The tikka was wonderfully tasty and moist, and the having both lamb and chicken kebabs offered a contrast I’ve not come across often.  Both kebabs were excellently seasoned, but the lamb had the edge for me.  The onion bhajee were also good, but I didn’t think they were quite up the standard of my Bradford faves.

Now stuffed, we had the prospect of shoe horning our mains in.  The waiter must have seen our concern, and did ask if we’d like to wait a few minutes before the mains.  We took him up on his offer.  If nothing else it gave time for the little ones to run off steam for five minutes in the adventure playground.  I didn’t hear any complaints from the tiny ones, and from what I could gather it was a triumph.

And now to the mains - in short Tava Gosht Lahori.  Yes yes yes!  From menu - ‘Tender morsels of lean Lamb Tikka tossed over an iron skillet with exotic Herbs and Spices. Crushed Garlic, Juliennes of Ginger masked in a light Sauce of Fresh Tomatoes, Spring Onion & Peppers’.  It was a brill dish.  The abundant chunks of lamb were beautifully tender – melt in the mouth – and had been tikka’ed and charred.  The minimal sauce had great flavor, and included a slight sweet element, which was most welcome - maybe from the bell peppers?  Around the table, it appeared the Butter chicken was well received too – especially by the young ‘uns

All the mains were offered in mild/medium/hot – including the Butter Chicken, so plenty of scope to personalise ones dish.  I stuck middle of the road, and my dish was bob on for me.

My Garlic Naan was getting just on the wrong side of crispy for me, but was daubed with a good smear of sliced garlic, and satisfied my – what seem like constant these days - garlic cravings.

Drinks Policy and range

It’s called Omar Khan’s Wine Bar and Indian Restaurant… You do the Math!

Highlights

There were plenty.  The special offer of a huge free sizzler – for a Yorkshire man - is difficult to see beyond… well, it was free!  However, the real star was the Tava Gosht Lahori.  Meaty and tasty, it was an excellent dish.  Also, the midday opening times, the option of al fresco dining, and adventure playground, were all real bonuses for families.

Lowlights

There was nothing moan about.

The Damage

Well… with the ~£30s worth of special offer complimentary sizzler, it was a super reasonable ~£12.50pp.  In reality, all our mains – which were chosen generally off the Specials sections, were all around £9, so Omar Khans is up there cost wise.  However, value for money it certainly was – excellent.

Aftershock

Absolutely stuffed to the gills, it was just a case of nodding off on the settee once home.

Overall 

It was a truly excellent dining experience.  Very swish environs, family friendly, and excellent food, makes Omar Khan’s top draw.  Omar Khan’s in Skipton may offer THE best family Bradford Curry eating opportunity I have come across.