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When a giant sinkhole opened on the doorstep of an Indian restaurant in 2018 it was a devastating blow to business.
Positioned at a crossroads off the Tonbridge Road in Maidstone, the former Taj Barming, now Melad Tandoori, estimated losses of around £200,000 due to the five-month road closure.
Then in 2021 another void appeared, so it’s safe to say the restaurant’s location has caused huge obstacles to success over the years.
But, having been under new ownership for some time now, and with highway hiccups firmly behind it, I thought it was time to focus on its food instead.
As someone who grew up near the restaurant, it is almost so big and obvious that it is somehow easy to overlook.
Plus, Barming has its fair share of places to eat and drink, with three pubs in close vicinity, so it has a bit of competition.
So, on one cold Saturday night in the middle of January, I thought what better time to try my local curry house?
After a few drinks at a nearby pub with my partner Nathan, we headed to Melad Tandoori, lit in a blue hue, at prime eating time - 7pm.
As we entered, we were met by a stylish bar area, filled with many customers and staff offering a warm welcome.
Despite not having a reservation we were promptly seated and shown to a lovely table for two with exceptionally clean plates and cutlery – which is always a good sign.
Once seated, we enthusiastically responded to the offer of poppadoms and within seconds we were met with an array of dips, in generous portions.
The poppadoms were deliciously crunchy - their freshness seemingly a sign of what was to come.
For starters, I ordered some onion bhajis while Nathan opted for the lamb samosa.
Piping hot, packed full of flavour, and golden brown, the bhajis scored highly but in my opinion could have been a little on the crispier side.
Yet, the samosa was ranked as the “best ever” by Nathan, due to it being flaky, crispy and brimming with meat.
After clearing our plates, the service continued to be exceptionally efficient and it really felt like we were being taken care of, which is always nice.
The staff even checked if we were ready for our mains before bringing them out, a gesture to be appreciated if you don’t want to be rushed through your evening.
For my main, I opted for a vegetable dhansak, sag aloo (spinach and potato) and rice while my dinner guest wanted to try something new and went for a house speciality - lamb garlic.
The potatoes melted in the mouth and were the perfect savoury accompaniment to my tangy lentil-based curry which was perfectly spiced with a medium heat.
Learning from previous mistakes, I opted not to get a Cobra beer with my meal in case it made me too full, but I was impressed by the selection of drinks which included espresso martinis, piña coladas and cosmopolitans which would be fun for a group night out.
Back to the mains, Nathan rated his curry highly which he said had a smoky flavour, and before long, it had all disappeared.
And considering we had two poppadoms, chutneys, two starters, two mains, sides and soft drinks, we were contently full and agreed £55.80 in total was pretty reasonable.
Throwing in the great ambience and buzz, plus the proximity to home, I must say I had been sleeping on the Melad Tandoori for far too long.
While it might be on the cusp of a busy junction, once inside you are certainly transported away from the hustle and bustle of the road, which surprisingly you couldn’t hear at all.
What’s more, if you’re like me and often prefer a takeaway curry to eat in front of the TV, I’d certainly be inclined to order again as they offer home delivery.
All in all, I can barely fault this incredible curry house in the heart of Maidstone.
It deserves to be recognised for so much more than its proximity to a sinkhole, and I will definitely be returning.
Food: A wide-ranging selection of meat and vegetable dishes, packed with flavour with something for every curry lover ****
Drink: I was super impressed by the large cocktail selection, plus my favourite Cobra beer on offer *****
Décor: Blue lighting, flower walls and a clean and fresh design inside - it’s even got a water feature in the garden ****
Staff: It was well-staffed and we experienced exceptional customer service, which was prompt, attentive and welcoming even though we hadn’t booked *****
Price: For a sit-down-meal with amazing service and food, I would say this curry house menu is perfectly priced *****