This quietly delicious Indian (and Indian run) restaurant is tucked away on Small Street, just off St.Nick’s Market in Central Bristol.
It is joined on that road by two bar/clubs; Timbuk2 and The Big Chill, and a handful of other restaurants including a tasty Lebanese (which also serves Shisha) and a Chinese restaurant.
But this review is about Urban Tandoor.
The interior includes a small bar, plenty of seating, and subtly tasteful décor. We were greeted by the owner; an Indian man from Mumbai, who chatted away jokily as he took us to our table, handing us our menus.
As we pondered over our menus, we were pleasantly surprised to see that prices were very reasonable, in contrast to other Indian restaurants nearby (which I will not name and shame). There was a decent amount of choice, including vegetarian and seafood options, as well as the variety of meat dishes one would expect from an Indian restaurant.
I umm-ed and ahh-ed at the menu for a while, eventually choosing a personal favourite Indian dish of mine; Chicken Biriyani (£8.90), and also a Chutney Tray (£1 - pictured) which came with two complementary poppadums. My friend Karla asked for a Chicken Bhuna, which wasn’t on the menu but that the waiter said without hesitation that they could make for her. He asked Karla specifics of the way she would like her Bhuna, without even the faintest hint of annoyance. She also ordered Pilau Rice (£2.10), and Peswari Nan (£2.10).
It is joined on that road by two bar/clubs; Timbuk2 and The Big Chill, and a handful of other restaurants including a tasty Lebanese (which also serves Shisha) and a Chinese restaurant.
But this review is about Urban Tandoor.
The interior includes a small bar, plenty of seating, and subtly tasteful décor. We were greeted by the owner; an Indian man from Mumbai, who chatted away jokily as he took us to our table, handing us our menus.
As we pondered over our menus, we were pleasantly surprised to see that prices were very reasonable, in contrast to other Indian restaurants nearby (which I will not name and shame). There was a decent amount of choice, including vegetarian and seafood options, as well as the variety of meat dishes one would expect from an Indian restaurant.
I umm-ed and ahh-ed at the menu for a while, eventually choosing a personal favourite Indian dish of mine; Chicken Biriyani (£8.90), and also a Chutney Tray (£1 - pictured) which came with two complementary poppadums. My friend Karla asked for a Chicken Bhuna, which wasn’t on the menu but that the waiter said without hesitation that they could make for her. He asked Karla specifics of the way she would like her Bhuna, without even the faintest hint of annoyance. She also ordered Pilau Rice (£2.10), and Peswari Nan (£2.10).
The chutney tray was delicious, and included the chutney (second left), a finely chopped salad-dip (left), a mint dip (far right) and one other dip, which I had not previously tried; all of which were delicious, ranging from spicy to cool. I kept most of the tray for my main course, and it complimented it perfectly.
When the generous main courses arrived (pictured below), my Biriyani came with a “gravy”, which was really a creamy sauce with peas and carrots, and it tasted great with the Biriyani, adding a subtle sweetness to the flavour, and avoiding the Biriyani becoming too dry in the mouth.
Both our main courses were quite spicy, which I was pleased about since I often find that Indian restaurants deliberately reduce spice in their dishes, making them feel far less authentic. Saying that, judging by the hugely accommodating nature of the staff at Urban Tandoor, I feel very sure they would reduce the spice levels if you asked. Karla’s Chicken Bhuna was just as she had asked for it to be, she said, and she really enjoyed it.
When the generous main courses arrived (pictured below), my Biriyani came with a “gravy”, which was really a creamy sauce with peas and carrots, and it tasted great with the Biriyani, adding a subtle sweetness to the flavour, and avoiding the Biriyani becoming too dry in the mouth.
Both our main courses were quite spicy, which I was pleased about since I often find that Indian restaurants deliberately reduce spice in their dishes, making them feel far less authentic. Saying that, judging by the hugely accommodating nature of the staff at Urban Tandoor, I feel very sure they would reduce the spice levels if you asked. Karla’s Chicken Bhuna was just as she had asked for it to be, she said, and she really enjoyed it.
Looking at the generous portions we were given, (which I felt made the prices even more amazing) I did not think I would finish my main. Maybe it was because I had just come from work and then the gym, but I finished it easily. Karla finished hers too, but was almost too full for her Nan. In the end she decided it was too good to leave unfinished, so ate everything she had ordered.
We pondered over the desserts but – and this is the only aspect of Urban Tandoor I was disappointed with – there was a serious lack of Indian desserts. The Indian desserts they did have were Carrot Halwa, and Rasgulla, but others were very typical desserts of any restaurant really; with Parfait, Ice cream, and fruit salad as the other options. I absolutely LOVE Indian Ice cream – Kulfi – but the ice cream they had was not this, so I didn’t order anything, and neither did Karla.
I suppose the dessert menu was designed to accommodate those that don’t really like Indian Sweets, which I can understand as someone who doesn’t like the majority of them either, but I would have liked more of a selection.
Other than that one downfall though, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Urban Tandoor. The staff were friendly and good humoured, and up for a chat and joke. The setting was tasteful, clean and comfortable, and the food was absolutely delicious and, as I’ve mentioned, amazing value for money – which makes a great change (excuse the pun).
We pondered over the desserts but – and this is the only aspect of Urban Tandoor I was disappointed with – there was a serious lack of Indian desserts. The Indian desserts they did have were Carrot Halwa, and Rasgulla, but others were very typical desserts of any restaurant really; with Parfait, Ice cream, and fruit salad as the other options. I absolutely LOVE Indian Ice cream – Kulfi – but the ice cream they had was not this, so I didn’t order anything, and neither did Karla.
I suppose the dessert menu was designed to accommodate those that don’t really like Indian Sweets, which I can understand as someone who doesn’t like the majority of them either, but I would have liked more of a selection.
Other than that one downfall though, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience at Urban Tandoor. The staff were friendly and good humoured, and up for a chat and joke. The setting was tasteful, clean and comfortable, and the food was absolutely delicious and, as I’ve mentioned, amazing value for money – which makes a great change (excuse the pun).