Around the world in NINE restaurants ...
PLANNING on going out for a meal for a special occasion but want to try somewhere a bit different? There’s a whole range of places in the region which you could give a try that are a world away from Sunday roasts and fish and chips From Vietnamese to Caribbean, here’s a guide to some of the best places to meet and eat in and around the East Midlands.
KABUL BUKHARA 7 Bentinck Road, Nottingham, NG7 4AA To book a table call, 0115 942 0088 If you fancy trying the exotic flavours of Afghanistan and Iran then Kabul Bukhara offers a variety of Afghan, Persian and Iranian dishes including grills, curries and kebabs. For a starter, you could go for the baba ghanuj (aubergine, garlic, tahini, oil and yoghurt, £2.00). Main courses include lamb kabsa (rice, lamb, onions, tomatoes and spice mixture, £6.99) or the kofta curry (tender ball of chopped lamb in sauce, £6.00).
PHO (VIETNAMESE) 87-91 High Street, Leicester, LE1 4JB Call 0116 4890 010 or visit https://www. phocafe.co.uk/locations/leicester/ Pho is situated in Leicester’s Highcross Shopping Centre and offers a range of Asian and Vietnamese cuisine including soups, curries and noodles. For a starter try Bo la lot (beef wrapped in betal leaves, served with rice sheets and nurac cham) at £6.95. Sample Vietnamese street food dish pho bo vien (homemade beef meatballs, £8.95) or go fishy with a delicious Bun tom Hue (hot & spicy juicy tiger prawn,£10.25). Two courses for £9.95, Mon-Fri, 11.30am5pm
TATRA EASTERN CORNER 1 Newport Place, Northampton Street, Leicester, LE1 1DL Call 07883 518180 or visit http://www.tatraleicester.co.uk/ This Eastern European restaurant serves traditional homemade Czech and Slovak food using local suppliers as well as ingredients imported from Czech and Slovakia. For a starter try the deep-fried pierogi filled with braised sauerkraut and crème fraiche (£3.95). For mains, check out the Czech-style beef tenderloin with a light pickled gherkin sauce (£12.75) or potato gnocchi with Slovak sheep cheese and bacon (£7.95).
MARRAKECH RESTAURANT 6 Chapel Bar, Nottingham, NG1 6JQ Call 0115 947 3038 or visit http:// marrakeshnottingham.co.uk/ The Marrakech restaurant offers an interesting and varied mix of dishes, whether you are into North African tagines
or Mediterranean platters. For a starter try Arayis Bi’jibneh (minced lamb with parsley grilled on Lebanese bread, £5.95). Recommended dishes include the moussaka (aubergine specially baked with tomatoes, onion, peppers and spices, £12.95) and shish tawouk (boneless chicken marinated in garlic, lemon and home spices, £14.95).
HIMALAYAN GURKHA RESTAURANT 80 Macklin Street, Derby, DE1 1LF, Call 01332 344333 or visit http://www. himalayangurkhaderby.co.uk/ Himalayan Gurkha is a restaurant and takeaway which offers traditional Indian and Nepalese ranging from spicy curries, to dumplings and dhal bat, a popular dish which consists of steamed rice and a cooked lentil soup. For a starter, try a samosha- you can choose from either meat or veg with tamarind chutney. For mains options include the flavoursome Taal ko Machha (Tilapia fish with garlic, onion, capsicum, onions and spinach) and Nepalese vegetable curry Aloo Tama Kahi (black eyed beans, potatoes, bamboo shoots and fresh coriander leaves).
HERITAGE INDIAN RESTAURANT AND TAKEAWAY 328-330 Welford Road, Leicester, LE2 6EH Call 01162 448888 or visit http://www.heritage-india.co.uk/ Heritage India offers a range of specialities from different parts of India. A starter worth trying is maru na bhajiya (deep fried potatoes in a crispy batter, £3.65). Mains include lamb rogan josh (lamb cooked in yoghurt-based sauce with peppers, tomatoes and aromatic spices, £8.95) or the vegetarian baingan ka bharta (charcoal smoked aubergine cooked with onions, tomatoes and garden green peas, £6.95).
CARIBBEAN QUEEN 509 Mansfield Road, Sherwood, Nottingham, NG5 2JL Call 115960 7214 or visit http://www. caribbeanqueennottingham.com/ This Caribbean restaurant offers a variety of dishes made with aromatic Jamaican herbs and spices. For a starter you could choose chicken goujons with sweet chilli sauce (£3.80) or plantain chips for £1.80. Mains include curried mutton or saltfish with callaloo, choice of rice and peas or white rice, salad garnish and fried dumplings for £12.99.
LORENTES SPANISH BAR 118 Friar Gate, Derby, DE1 1EX Call 07508 706982 or visit http://lorentes. co.uk/ Embrace the relaxed Spanish culture and choose to dine at Lorentes, which calls itself “a little piece of Spain in the heart of Friar Gate”. For a starter you could opt for the revuelto de morcilla tapas (scrambled rice black pudding, potato crisps, garlic and parsley olive oil, £4.00). Mains include paella de pollo (chicken breast paella, £13.95) or arroz negro (squid and king prawn paella, £15.70).
STELIANA’S AND SAPHO’S GREEK TAVERNA 115 London Rd, Derby DE1 2QS Call 01332 385200 A family-run restaurant for over 20 years, the Greek eatery near the city centre boasts a fantastic array of dishes cooked from the heart of Greece. On offer for starters is the mezze platter which provides a taste of everything the restaurant has to offer including small dishes of kleftiko and stifado. For main course, you could try the moussaka, lamb kofta, or calamari.