As the new year dawned, the club members reappeared from
hibernation for January's instalment and host Listep opted for a trip to Leeds
city centre, with claims of 'extensive' restaurant research. Keeping the final
destination close to his chest, the group had renewed faith in our hosts
judgement - amid memories of similar circumstances on his last club. The
majority sporting winter beards and myself hobbling around after rupturing my
cruciate ligament, we headed to Sandinista to meet and enjoy some laid back
beers - some our first of the year. With renowned booze hound Matty hoping to
maintain his 'dry January' status, peer pressure from the group was rife - but
I'm pleased to say that the only Tetley's to pass his lips was from the leaves
of a tea bag. With Belgrave Music Hall being snubbed for its historic refusal
to allow a 'gang' of lads (4) in for drinks at 4pm on a cold December Saturday
afternoon, it was on the Wren for some nice ales in nice surroundings.
Nice enough for Zach Dingle too it seems as he was spotted retiring to the lounge with red wine in hand. Gled received a 'brucey bonus' for his round, a Wren's loyalty scheme card but alas it left him just 2 short of receiving a free pint. I fully expect him to invite two new members to the club solely for this purpose next year. Not that I'm suggesting Listep's clubs are 'Groundhog Curry' or anything, as it's not like we're heading to Akbar's like we did for his last one. Surely not.
Anyway, across the road to the Social we go, and find a nice
corner for us all to talk jive as always, including an interesting description
from Vinoir on the female genitalia. Enjoying a lovely ale called Happy Families,
Listep's guilt was now too much to bear as he confessed his 'extensive
research' was simply walking past AM Kitchen one afternoon, which looked dead
at the time, and so we'd go there. And it was so dead that it couldn’t afford
to be open in the evening either it seems as it was closed! Hmmm, so where
shall we go Listep? If only there was a place "where everybody knows your
name," dun dun dun der, "and you're always glad you came" etc
etc. With Akbars now firmly in first place in a one restaurant race, it was
time to move in that direction so new bar Manhattan was our next stop. And it
turns out that Manhattan bar charges Manhattan prices at £5.20 a pint - oof.
Time to move on to the Templar for our final pre-curry drinks, where we could
get some decent 'purchase', which TTT loves to get.
Akbars, Eastgate, Leeds.
 |
| Poor Start |
Always busy, tonight was no exception for Akbars and yet we
were still greeted with good service from the outset. Once seated, the club was
presented with enough poppadoms to feed the entire population of Leeds. Yet
even with the gargantuan pile in front of him, Temple still managed to
mistakenly take the poppadoms from my plate. Midway into the poppadom marathon,
Gled's memory lapsed as he forgot what he was talking about, and the waiter
appeared for our orders. With no mixed starters available (we all know the
drill), individual starters included the popular Fish Masala, lamb chops and
Chicken Tikka. Mains included a few Akbar e-Balti's, Lamb Paneer, Karachi, a
Handhi and a Chicken and Chilli balti. Soon enough, the starters arrive and
although satisfying for the majority - Vinny's Chicken Tikka looked a sorry
sight indeed and my Lamb cops were undercooked.
 |
| Redemption! |
On to the mains and the dishes arrive looking nice and tasty
and ready to eat - but unfortunately we were not as we had a few minutes to
wait for plates. The dining commenced and to an out of character mixed
reception it has to be said. The Akbar e-Baltis delivered on taste as always,
but the Lamb Paneer was cold and Scott's Handi was only described as average -
but it certainly was spicy enough to force frequent wiping of his brow. And he
wasn't alone as Matty, in strange sober territory, found his Chicken n Chilli
dish too hot to consume or even bag up - no diggity. And with 5 rice turning
up instead of the recommended 4, I'd suggest the main event leaned on missing the
mark rather than hitting it this time around.
Still, coming in at £150 it's well within budget and most
enjoyed the change of lollipops replacing the standard mints - all apart from
TTT who wasn't happy as it wasn't Chuppa Chupps. Mixed reviews in the gas
factor department too, with one reporting both dog and wife snubbing and
another a clean pain-free delivery. Another strange side effect appeared though
with all suffering from chapped lips after a hot curry in cold conditions.
Bring on the lip balm. Overall, a great start for 2015 in terms of merriment,
but I'd say that Akbars perhaps have got too comfortable in their own
popularity and need to raise their game to get back to the higher standard we know
they can produce.
Needless to say, I'm sure they'll get the opportunity at Lister's next instalment! #reputation
Until next time.
Until next time.
Cheers
Danny
