Royal Naz

Corner Great Western St & Wilmslow Rd
Unit 18 Ifco Centre
Rusholme
Manchester
0161-256 1060

The Royal Naz is a fairly prominent restaurant on the Wilmslow Road. It occupies a corner position and has its various Plaudits plastered all over the exterior. In fact the Royal Naz holds the accolade of Manchester Curry Chef of the year 1998 and is not shy of letting the whole world know.

The Royal Naz is an excellent restaurant although the quality of food can at times be varaible. It should perhaps remember that although it is not always competing for some industry accolade then it is still catering for its customers who probably use this restaurant on the back of its reputation.

We have tested this restaurant on a number of occasions this year and results have varied between average and excellent. Although it is fair to say I have never had a meal that I have not enjoyed, I have had meals that have not been as good as others that I have had previously. A good benchmark here is to try one of its award winning dishes, such as Lamb Nihari.

The restaurant has a large seating capacity and can get very busy in the evening. The restaurant also opens at lunchtime and the atmosphere can be quite a contrast. I have eaten at a table of four at lunchtime with nobody else in the restaurant except a waiter and a window cleaner. In the evenings I have had to wait for a table in a 200+ seat establishment.

The menu is probably the most extensive Indian restaurant menu imaginable. If far surpasses anything else in the area or that we have ever seen. Some of the dishes are standard fayre but some are quite unusual.

From the massive list of starters I recommend the Mixed Tandoori selection. It contains two lamb chops, Lamb Tikka, Chicken Tikka and Sheek Kebab with a large side salad and accompanied by the tray of pickles and chutneys which are presented with the poppadoms when you sit down. The portion is ample and the quality excellent.

The main course I always try is the Lamb Nihari. This can be prepared to suit the 'heat' palate and I prefer it to be prepared fairly hot. It is a rather unusual Lamb stew type of curry, as opposed to the peices of Lamb that are stir fried and spiced in a Karahi dish, which is the more typical offering in Rusholme.

Service can be as variable as the qualityof the food, with busy waiters attending to their groups of tables to differing degrees of success. The service is always pleasant and well meaning, it just comes over as a little incompetent at times. Rather perversley it doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the meal it actually adds to it.

Prices are at the top end of this area. but don't let that put you off. We are only talking about £2 per person extra for an evening out, which is no big deal. More important is are you getting your moneys worth. The Eat & Drink Gourmet guys reckon you will.

Verdict - Eating at the Royal Naz is an experience and one not too be missed. it is always enjoyable and frantic in the evening and with some luck on your side the chef will be on top form. when this happens the food is great when it doesn't it almost doesn't matter because its still a great place to be. Like all restaurants in the area, kids are made very welcome. Recommended.