Isle of Wight takeaway restaurant offers tasty Indian food

So much so that we have been asked to review a few more takeaways. Don't say we don't listen, Colin of Sandown!

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Taste of India has been a fixture on the tiny but significant East Cowes leisure strip for years now.

There was plenty to eat for three of us! (Image: Matt & Cat)

We picked up a decent takeaway and, despite there being three of us, had plenty to go round the next day.

In fact, we exclaimed as we unpacked the dinner, that the portions were "ridiculously huge".

To be fair, the menu was a little sparser than other venues; four side dishes - and two of those contained potatoes.

Why complicate matters with obscure curries nobody orders anyway?

Nothing wrong with streamlining operations, but it did mean that the non-meat eaters in the party had a pretty small range from which to choose and not much in the way of protein-based ingredients.

It would have been nice to have, say, a paneer option.

Nonetheless, the vegetable dansak was really well-flavoured and had a good consistency; decently lentilly with an agreeable balance of pulses and vegetables. Moderately-spiced, with a pleasing sweet and sour flavour.

Cat's chicken korma was the standard fare; yellow, runny, slightly coconutty. Happily the accompanying mushroom rice made it a bit more exciting, plus a mushroom side dish.

A little samey perhaps, but her usual side choice of cauliflower bhaji was not on the list.

From the limited veggie selection, we also chose vegetable madras, which was hotter than anticipated. The heat came from the spices, which gave the curry that initial oomph.

Like the Laurel and Hardy of Indian flatbreads, the poppadums remained suitably
thin and crispy, and the garlic naan floppy and doughy, as both should be.

A special mention goes to the mango chutney with tamarind - nice touch.

Yes, we are guilty of having our heads turned by the new kids on the block, but the established places - like Taste of India - continue to produce decent suppers for the home market.

And, of course, you can still eat in there too. Pop (padum) alo(o)ng.

MATT & CAT'S BILL:

Poppadum 3 @ 80p £2.40
Chicken korma £8.50
Vegetable dansak £8.95
Vegetable madras £7.95
Mushroom bhajee £3.55
Mushroom rice £3.50
Garlic naan £3.50

TOTAL FOR 3: £38.35 

RATING: Three stars. A decent place that we’d recommend.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Taste of India, 24 Castle Street, East Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO32 6RD.

Tel: 01983 296335

Web: tasteofindiaiow.co.uk

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