Mughli

Fri. 5th Nov 1999

My son's 20th Birthday celebration. Marg and I, our daughter Kathryn, an son, Lee, were joined by Karl and Rayanne. Lee live right in the centre of Rusholme, so an Indian meal was in order. We wandered down the main drag, trying to decide which one to try (we've tried most!), eventually happening on the Mughli.

Kathryn didn't like hot food, but we convinced her that not all Indian food is hot - she tried the Chicken Tikka starter. Other starters were: Sheikh Kebabs, Mixed Grill Starter. All were devoured and declared good. Marg couldn't manage to eat both kebabs - she didn't want to spoil her appetite for the rest of the meal - and asked for it to be wrapped in foil. The waiter flatly refused, and insisted that she had to eat it there and then, or she wouldn't et her main course! At first, Marg wasn't sure that he was joking - but seeing the rest of the party doubled up in laughter gave the game away.

Kathryn tried chicken tikka massala, with a rider that it should be mild. Lee had Lamb Tikka Balti, I had Plain Lamb Balti, Marg had Lamb Tikka Dopiaza, Rayanne had Lamb Karahi, and Karl King Prawns.

My Lamb Balti was very good, with generous chunks of fresh garlic and ginger. The lamb was tender and tasty. I sampled Lee's Tikka version, and that too was good. Karl's King Prawns were plentiful and solid, though I'm not a great fan of King Prawns, these were pretty good.

Even Kathryn enjoyed the meal, and I suspect she's now going to try to be more adventurous.

Only Kathryn and Lee opted for dessert - Baskin Robbins Ice cream, served in the cardboard tubs - Karl and I had Irish Coffees (good, if a little sweet), Marg and Ray two plain coffees. Karl informed the waiter that it was Lee's birthday (perhaps it would be fairer to say that Karl informed the whole restaurant!), and a firework was duly provided for Lee's ice cream!

Nine pints of Kingfisher, two glasses of wine and two or three cokes brought the bill up to £86 for the six of us.

Verdict: About average for an Indian in Rusholme. The attention of the waiters added to the experience, but next time we're in Rusholme, we won't miss the opportunity to try one of the remaining establishments we haven't already tried. When we've done them all, and we start over, the Mughli will be on the list.

Sandro and Marg