Restaurant Reviews
Where's good to go for a meal?
Whether it's a quick bite to eat at lunch, or a romantic meal in the evening. Well, pick up some tips from the Daily Echo and its readers. We've included here reviews published in the Daily Echo. Read the reviews and give us your rating or feel free to leave your comments at the bottom of each story or click here and leave your comment for restaurants we haven't featured yet.
Gurkha Kitchen, Canute Road, Southampton
IT WAS clear from the outset that we were
in for a treat.
Opened at the beginning of the year,
Gurkha Kitchen is set away from the
plethora of curry houses in Southampton's
Oxford Street.
But then diners seek it out because it's
not really a curry house, there aren't any
kormas or vindaloos, for instance. It's likely
you won't have heard of many of the dishes,
which makes for an interesting task
when choosing.
The best way to find out is to ask the
incredibly polite and helpful staff.
Nepalese food is all about subtle
flavours. Everything is fresh and fragrant -
there's a slight crossover with Thai cuisine,
such as the spicy prawn crackers served
as an appetiser yet accompanied with a
lightly-spiced mango sauce plus an interesting
tomato and coriander puree.
Noodles, coconut and cashew nuts also
make appearances on the menu.
To start we tried Nakasee - skewered
strips of chicken drizzled in a spicy sauce.
It was similar to chicken satay but less
peanutty and more aromatic.
We chose Piro lamb and Tama chicken
as our mains served with fluffy, steamed
rice. Tender pieces of lamb were served in
a dark onion, ginger, pepper and chilli
sauce and the chicken in a thick hot tomato
and chilli sauce, which was not in the
least heavy or overpowering.
Side dishes included the Nepalese speciality
of daal (wholesome lentils) and
Gurkha aloo - a take on Indian-style potatoes,
except the potatoes were roasted
simply in a little oil and delicately seasoned
with cumin seeds - which were fantastic!
Portions were not huge but sufficient and
allowed us to identify individual flavours at
work.
Inside the restaurant, the contemporary
stainless steel bar and bare brickwork
inherited from its predecessor Rimjihm
make an impression, but now homely
paintings of the Himalayas and family-style
portraits adorn the walls, exotic plants trail
the balcony while atmospheric lighting and
soft music provide individuality.
Our table was tucked away in a quiet corner
though fears of being forgotten were
quickly allayed.
The service was impeccable and made a
really enjoyable evening complete.
Our bill came to a reasonable £38 including
drinks. For a unique and authentic dining
experience this would be hard to beat.
3:04pm Wednesday 4th June 2008
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CommentPosted by: J, Soton on 3:24pm Fri 20 Jun 08
Gurkha Kitchen is a real treat of a restaurant and the ideal venue for somewhere a little bit different from your usual curry house.
The menu is extensive and well set out with clear descriptions but if you have any problems the staff are more than happy to help.
Fantastic Nepalese beer on offer, freshly cooked food that you can tell has taken real time and thought to prepare.
The duck I had was simply incredible. Prices are reasonable and the decor is great, being downstairs it's away from the hustle and bustle of Canute Road.
Definately worth a visit if you want something a bit different and a smart night out.
Gurkha Kitchen is a real treat of a restaurant and the ideal venue for somewhere a little bit different from your usual curry house.
The menu is extensive and well set out with clear descriptions but if you have any problems the staff are more than happy to help.
Fantastic Nepalese beer on offer, freshly cooked food that you can tell has taken real time and thought to prepare.
The duck I had was simply incredible. Prices are reasonable and the decor is great, being downstairs it's away from the hustle and bustle of Canute Road.
Definately worth a visit if you want something a bit different and a smart night out.
Posted by: Matthew Carter on 9:11pm Sat 28 Jun 08
I have now eaten at the Gurkha Kitchen about 20 times,and have had a chance to taste most of the menu, the food is always fresh, the service is second to none, it is a real treat to have such a lovely place to eat in southampton
I have now eaten at the Gurkha Kitchen about 20 times,and have had a chance to taste most of the menu, the food is always fresh, the service is second to none, it is a real treat to have such a lovely place to eat in southampton
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