Akbars the Grand
You know that list of restaurants I want to visit in Leeds? Well this isn’t on that list. Thats because I’ve been here many times over, and there never seems to be a need to force a visit – they just happen.
Sometimes an Akbars is suggested at 10pm midweek, and one can expect a pretty solid turnout. Add in the fact that every social function from birthdays to stag nights includes an Akbars, and you get an impression of what this curry house means to my social group. It’s not that we don’t have any creativity; its just damn good.
Naan Mountains
The thing that conspires to make Akbars legendary, besides the high quality of the curry, is the “Family Naan Challenge.” These Naan breads have been “scientifically designed to feed four people,” according to the head waiter, but we are tending towards one per person on particularly fat nights. In fact the amount of Naan bread we eat (combined with the regularity with which we appear) has led to us becoming known to the staff, so as to stop them from trying to talk us down from our sizeable bread order.
My Curry
As a vegitarian, I am often left disappointed by the selection in many restaurants, particularly those of an ostensibly vegitarian cuisine. Akbars does not let me down here, with a chickpea and cheese curry, which is hot enough, and varied enough without resorting to lame soggy vegetables (when was the last time you got decent veg in a curry?)
I have ordered this curry on many occasions, and it is always excellent, and the level of spice has intriguing variations depending on the chef that particular evening.
Not going back
It may be my favourite curry emporium, and I may still enjoy a good curry, but for the sake of my waistline, I am forgoing the delights of Akbars for the time being. It turns out I’m a pretty fat (no comma) man, and I suspect the kilo of Naan I consume at this fine establishment on a typical meal has not been beneficial. It is with a slightly heavy heart that I turn my back on Akbars currys, for a less heavy girdle.