"FOOD WOW!!!!!"

A review of Spice Hut by F.ali written on Wednesday 10th of March 2010

SITUATED next to its little but older brother, this restaurant is an extension to the popular takeaway which has sold kebabs for many years on the London Road in Alvaston.

This new sit-down shop has been developed by one of the two brothers who own the business, we were told, and opened in September.

Though this is a small space, there is a flat screen television playing Bollywood tunes and the interior is neat and warm, with particularly stylish chairs.

The buffet is fresh, with the usual amount of choice that your spy has come to expect of all-you-can-eat shows.

With six hot starters you get three meaty and

three veggie options. This includes onion bhaji, samosas and vegetable pakora. The battered and deep-fried slivers of potato had a melt-in-the-mouth quality.

The other hot dishes were chicken and fish starters but nothing out of the ordinary. All of them were served fairly hot (in temperature) but not piping hot.

There was a wide stand of chilled items including salads, pickles, cold desserts and fruit.

Your spy counted more than the four usual pickle choices – there was a lovely red onion with spicy tomato marinade that was not as spicy as the lime pickle but hotter than chopped onion alone.

It was nice to nibble on poppadoms, pickles and starters all at once. The aromas were fresh and each bite was delicious.

We were asked which naan bread we would like by the waiter.

A sign at the counter asked diners to inform them of bread choice with 10 minutes' notice for them to prepare it. This was great as it is not always clear with a buffet what is included and when to ask for it.

Our main course was a medley of many things. Rice-wise there was mushroom, plain and pilau, so plenty of options.

Displayed in the hot tureens were colourful curries, which included a bright saffron-coloured chicken dish, next to a bright yellow korma – both with strong yet not too spicy flavours.

The vegetarian selection included saag aloo (spinach with potatoes) and a lentil dhal. Both were warm and flavoursome.

The restaurant was certainly not crowded, even though it was a weekday evening – in fact, there were only six diners, including your spy and companion, in there.

It was a shame the place wasn't busier because what struck Secret Service most is that it is amazing to get a sit-down meal in a restaurant for around the same price as a takeaway with all the trimmings.

Why pay the same to take the food home to your living room when you can have a change of scenery for pretty much the same outlay and then get someone else to do all the washing up? Hum.

The visitor feedback book was presented to our table at the end of a meal with a pen for us to write our remarks in it.

Considering it has only been open since September, the 60 pages boasting happy customers' words are impressive.

With more than 12 takeaway venues in a tiny half-mile stretch of road, it is astonishing that they can all make a living.

I guess there is plenty of room for different flavours in such a small town.

.

NOTE: Reviews are submitted by visitors of our site. The contents of this page are in no way representative of the entity being reviewed, Spice Hut, and are merely third party opinions. Derby .org.uk accepts no liability in respect of any material submitted by visitors and published by us and we are not responsible for its content and accuracy. For further details, see our Terms & Conditions.