Curry Fever

139, Belgrave Road, Leicester, Leicestershire.

LE4 6AS

0116 266 2941

Tuesday 4th December, 2012

Leicestershire has an abundance of good curry restaurants to choose from. In our 2013 COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE, we have seventeen listed - just in Leicester. Situated on Belgrave Road, which is a collection of either fabulous jewellery shops, sari boutiques or curry restaurants, we always find ourselves drawn to the Curry Fever Restaurant, because of its consistently superior Kenyan Asian cuisine, which the Anand family have been serving since it opened its doors in 1978.

I have always thought that the Curry Fever was akin to a visit to the pub. Decoratively, it is rather plain, but like the pub is it incredibly homely. Which is tremendously comforting, when at the end of the day, all you want is the reasurrance of an outstanding meal in a relaxed atmosphere. Which is exactly what you get with the added bonus, considering the high culinary standards of Chef Patrons - Anil and Sunil Anand, of reasonably priced dishes.

Photos: 'Curry Fever's dining room,' and, 'Chef Patron Sunil Anand.'

Tables and chairs are cosily close together, meaning that you can easily chat to your neighbouring dining companions and politely have a good look at the dishes that they have ordered. Which is a great help when you are in a quandary over what to order, as everything is just so delicious. The cuisine here is spicy, and by that I do not necessarily mean hot; dishes are deeply aromatic.

While we waited for the Leicester Mercury's photo-journalist to arrive, Pat and I stood at the bijou bar, which is located towards the rear of the dining room, and congratulated Anil and Sunil on winning the, 'BEST IN CENTRAL ENGLAND AWARD.' We sipped drinks of Cobra beer for Pat, and a good glass of red wine for me and chatted about the restaurant. When the photo-journalist finally arrived, he was quite breathless. He told us that he had an immensely busy day. I could see why he rushed between appointments, as he was very conscientious regarding his work, manouvering Pat, Anil and Sunil round, making sure he shot the best photographs he could on this rather cold and grey day.

Photo: Leicester Mercury's photo-journalist taking the publicity shots.

After photographs were taken and names recorded, we said goodbye to the photo-journalist and stampeded into the warm restaurant, gladly settling down for a wonderful lunch at a large, circular table complete with a lazy-suzy, which makes dish sharing painless. Sunils' son, brought crispy fried, 'Papadums and Condiments - 80p,' from the kitchen, complete with a large bowl of the Curry Fever's legendary, 'Cacumber Salad - £2.90,' which is quite the best cachumber salad we have ever tasted, anywhere! Also a steel platter of lightly spiced, 'Gobi Pakoras,' which were served hot and fresh, but you will have to special request these delicious little morsels, as they are not on the menu. However, there is a lovely selection of meat and vegetable starters always available, including the, 'Mini Mixed Grill £5.40 - two chicken tikka pieces, one lamb chop and one sheek kebab,' which in my opinion would make a very satisfying business lunch, 'Aloo Tikka £5.20 - spiced chickpeas served on a deep-fried vegetable patty,' and, 'Mogo £3.95 - Cassava deep-fried and served with a tangy tamarind sauce.'

Photos: Legendary, 'Cachumber Salad,' and, 'Gobi Pakoras.'

Photos: 'Masala Chicken' with 'Punjabi Keema' 'Vegetable Curry' and 'Plain Chappati'

Main courses at the Curry Fever are also legendary. The 'Masala Chicken £7.95 - chicken cooked in thick sauce - also available in Madras sauce' which is what I ordered, lived up to its country-wide reputation - absolutely delicious! Pat knew he had to taste another Kenyan Asian favourite 'Keema Curry £8.50 - minced lamb and green peas cooked in masala' which he pronounced as robustly spiced just as it should be and quite wonderful. Especially when eaten with a 'Chappati £1.50 - wholemeal unleavened bread made on a skillet.' We were also served a spicy 'Vegetable Curry £5.95 - mixed fresh vegetables cooked in masala' with 'Pullao Rice £2.95.'

Other tempting Kenyan Asian specialities include 'Methi Lamb £8.50 - lamb cooked in masala and herbs,' and 'Karahi Paneer £6.95 - Indian cheese cooked in thick Masala sauce, onions, capsicums and served in a cast iron 'wok' accompanied with 'Kulchay (Bhatura) £1.90 - deep-fried leavened bread.'

We didn't eat alone, we were priviledged to have Sunil, Anil and Sunils son sit with us. A true family celebration of the well deserved 'BEST IN CENTRAL ENGLAND AWARD.' Congratulations and we wish you a frantically successful 2013!

Curry Fever

139, Belgrave Road, Leicester, Leicestershire.

LE4 6AS

0116 266 2941

www.thecurryfever.co.uk

Hours - Lunch: 12 to 2. Closed on Sunday and Monday.

Hours - Dinner: 6pm to 11pm, Friday and Saturday to 11.30pm. Closed on Monday.