Al Mirage — Restaurant in London

CURRYBOND #8

The anticipation of the new and improved Bond leg has clearly inspired the CURRYBONDers, we arrive at the agreed earlier kick off to not one but three CURRYBONDers raring to go! The Spring sunshine might have also had something to do with escaping the office on time! Looks like we're odds on for our first daylight curry finish.

Our venue for CURRYBOND #8 Al Mirage. Another excellent location at the heart of Tooting High Street, it also sits next door to the more established Mirch Masala of CURRYBOND #4, we'll see how it fares against it's local rival. The early start time doesn’t seem to favour the rest of the Tooting curry masses with unadulterated access to every table in the restaurant...The venue is split over two levels and we're treated to the most elaborate of vertical ascension options with both a spiral staircase and a lift! Now they just need enough patrons to make use of them…

Al Mirage gets a venue score of 4.7/10.

A third of the way in, it seems we should evaluate the front runners for the most prestigious CURRYBOND award for Best Attendance. With a 100% record of 8 full CURRYBONDs is Jobbers, though hot on his heels comes Shethers at 7.5 CURRYBONDs but is the crown beginning to slip, the official start time comes and goes, it seems TFL has betrayed Jobbers...he makes it before the mains to maintain his 100% record but with imminent trips half way around the world will he hold on?

We promptly get ordering, a quick glance a the drinks menu disappoints some CURRYBONDers, no alcohol and no BYOB policy, it's our first "dry" curry, thankfully we'll be in a pub in a couple of hours...So it's mango lassies and soft drinks all round, fortunately the mango lassie is delicious, rich and creamy with plenty of tropical cheer. Next up come the starters, Popadoms (obviously), Samosas, Chicken Spring Rolls, Dahi Bhale and Onion Bhajis. They are pretty much all delicious, the Bhajis are a highlight with another entry in the crustacean style, this example is equally crispy, spicy and importantly freshly cooked. Certainly a contender for best Bhaji, they get a score of 9/10.

The Dahi Bhale, is a curiosity. Ordered by Gills always keen to try new things her face was one of trepidation when what looks like an ice cream sundae arrives at the table. Fortunately it is a savoury affair, consisting predominantly of yoghurt with a dumplingy thing with some kind of tamarind sauce. The consensus is interesting, but once is enough.

Jobbers makes his entrance just in time to order the obligatory Chicken Jalfrezi, this was accompanied by Lamb Peshwari Gosht, Lamb Bhuna, Butter Chicken, Tikka Lamb Chops and the standard Chicken Tikka Masala. Sides of pilau rice, garlic naan and our second CURRYBOND cheese naan, which is clearly the highlight for one NE based CURRYBONDer...The mains all look good, sizeable portions, vibrant colours and fragrant aromas. The Peshwari Gosht is spicy and moorish with tender chunks of lamb. The CTM has juicy chicken pieces and is certainly tasty but not the best reference CTM we've had. Overall there are positive murmurings all around the table. The consensus is, delicious, the scores are high.

Al Mirage get a food score of 8.1/10.

So with Roger Moore calling we ask for the bill which comes in at £78.60 that’s just £9.83/CURRYBONDer breaking the £10 barrier is impressive.

Al Mirage gets a Value score of 8.1/10

So with only the venues lack of patrons and a no alcohol policy holding it back Al Mirage is an unexpected contender for best Curry, it's neighbours should take note.

Al Mirage gets an Overall...

What a night.most disappointing experience. Where do I start, what a messy interior, I think the place is back dated, bulbs fused, went to wash hands, no hot water and disgusting bathrooms. Now it was time to order food. So many fantastic choices on the menu ,its was so difficult to decide,finally decided on 9 dishes. They all looked the same as if they were pre made, i think left overs from last night,asked for mild tasting , recieved very spicy. The dishes, well what can I say , perhaps you could serve paper plates and paper glasses.Terrible.Ordered 13 roti, got all 13 as if they were from last night dinner left overs.Ordered the fish, recieved bits of left overs, they looked as if the cook left them to over fry, arrived dark brown. Sorry owner...waste of time coming here. No way ever returning What a disappointment. If it wasn't for such great company, I...

Don't go here. Awful place .Waiter didn't listen to us, wasnt friendly. We asked what was not spicy on the menu for my friend who like mild curries and the waiter replied that everything is mild. We asked what he recommended and he just stared at us, not helpful, so we choose a korma for my friend. It was so spicy - all of the food- I had to ask for plain yogurt even for myself to eat it and I'm used to eat spicy Indian food. I used to come here like 4 years ago- and remembered it was good, but not impressed tonight . Even when we paid we found it it was made to medium spice - had a sorry from a guy and was too late as we have eaten now- didn't offer discount only said next time it will be better- told him there won't be a next time. Never going again or bringing...