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Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:34 pm
by cricketfieldclarets
Anyone been? If so how would you rate it? Preferrably looking for reviews from someone who has been with a large party.
Need to book a place big enough to accomodate a large (50ish) group. Never been here so dont want to book it without reviews.
Burnley curry houses are average at best so hopefully this place is better than Usha etc.
Needs to be in or near Burnley and big enough for 50 people.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:36 pm
by cutsy123
Best one around is agra in hapton
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:41 pm
by 1fatclaret
Been three times, excellent every time.
Be aware that it's not licensed though, so need to take your own booze.
There can be a wait at busy times so you might be better getting either a set menu or pre ordering with a group that big.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:41 pm
by ClaretMoffitt
Not keen, full of chavs and they do mutton instead of lamb.
Usha is decent and agra as well as mentioned above.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:45 pm
by cutsy123
ClaretMoffitt wrote:Not keen, full of chavs and they do mutton instead of lamb.
Usha is decent and agra as well as mentioned above.
Had poor service at usha waiting over 2 hrs for food. Never again
We go agra everytime for a curry
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:49 pm
by ElectroClaret
Don't know if Accy is near enough for you, but Mitali at the top of Warner street is usually very good.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:51 pm
by The Enclosure
Been 4 or 5 times now....best curry house in the area by a mile in my opinion.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:53 pm
by Rojales Claret
Mitali is excellent but it's not big enough to cope with 50 people at once.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:53 pm
by nil_desperandum
Never been disappointed at Shimla and they're always v good with the grandchildren.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:54 pm
by ClaretMoffitt
cutsy123 wrote:Had poor service at usha waiting over 2 hrs for food. Never again
We go agra everytime for a curry
Might have just got them on an off day, they are usually spot on in my experience
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 9:00 pm
by Leisure
18 of us been twice this season, after the Everton and Spurs games. Good food and service excellent. Would definitely recommend. Always seems to be busy but they have plenty of staff on, who all seem to know their job and give excellent service.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 9:00 pm
by cutsy123
ClaretMoffitt wrote:Might have just got them on an off day, they are usually spot on in my experience
Its the closest to my house however in the 3 times ive been its hard to remember one that was any good.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 9:06 pm
by dushanbe
Got a hygiene rating of 2. That's all I need to know.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 9:10 pm
by LifeafterRobbie
Only time I've been was with a party of 30 or so, with a set menu as a previous poster suggested. The food was average at best and the service was poor. I certainly couldn't recommend it.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 9:13 pm
by cricketfieldclarets
Usha is living off past reputation. And last time i went the service was the worse ive ever had. Not been since.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 9:16 pm
by FulledgeClaret
Agra every time, tried Usha once and I'm pretty sure the rice was Uncle Bens microwave rice well it had that microwaved rice taste anyway.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 9:21 pm
by cutsy123
cricketfieldclarets wrote:Usha is living off past reputation. And last time i went the service was the worse ive ever had. Not been since.
It has gone well downhill over the years pal
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 9:24 pm
by BurnleyFC
As most on here seem to be saying, Agra wins every single time for me.
I've been to the original Shimla in Keighley a couple of times and the one in Burnley a couple of times too but still prefer Agra.
They are different styles of curry, though. Agra being Indian style and Shimla being Asian/Pakistani style.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 9:26 pm
by cricketfieldclarets
Thanks.
Anyone go to Adams in nelson? Proper home style deai curries.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 9:29 pm
by cutsy123
BurnleyFC wrote:As most on here seem to be saying, Agra wins every single time for me.
I've been to the original Shimla in Keighley a couple of times and the one in Burnley a couple of times too but still prefer Agra.
They are different styles of curry, though. Agra being Indian style and Shimla being Asian/Pakistani style.
U got it in one. Thats why i like it
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 9:47 pm
by bobinho
Shimla I thought was poor. The one across the road (aroma) smashes it out of the water imo.
The thing with Indian restaurants is that chefs come and go, and some are better than others. The curries/masalas are made by the chef "guessing" the amount of ingredients to be used. They have tubs of ingredients sat there and dip in with the stirring spoon. To get real consistency of flavour, recipes need to be followed accurately. That's why you get a good curry one nite, then a crap one the nite after.
Anyway, shimla I thought was poor. Usha ok. Agra better. Aroma best. All my opinion of course.
Incidentally, none of them are as good as a curry made fresh and eaten on candolim beach, goa.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 9:58 pm
by Dressinggown
Been a few times recently. Food, service and decor good. BYOB policy & no corkage charge make it a cheap night out but there aren't any decent Off Licenses in the area. Restaurant probably big enough to cope with a party of 50.
Agrah is also good and might be able to cater for a big group.
I've had decent reports about Jaipur in Padiham but have not been for a while.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 9:59 pm
by KRBFC
The last time I went I found a beetle in my food
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:11 pm
by wilks_bfc
Barbar Elephant was the best around imo and just up the road from me.
Unfortunately it closed down

Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:12 pm
by cricketfieldclarets
KRBFC wrote:The last time I went I found a beetle in my food
Onion Ringo?
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:12 pm
by Blackrod
Foot hygiene rating of 2. Why the hell would you eat there ?
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:14 pm
by cricketfieldclarets
bobinho wrote:Shimla I thought was poor. The one across the road (aroma) smashes it out of the water imo.
The thing with Indian restaurants is that chefs come and go, and some are better than others. The curries/masalas are made by the chef "guessing" the amount of ingredients to be used. They have tubs of ingredients sat there and dip in with the stirring spoon. To get real consistency of flavour, recipes need to be followed accurately. That's why you get a good curry one nite, then a crap one the nite after.
Anyway, shimla I thought was poor. Usha ok. Agra better. Aroma best. All my opinion of course.
Incidentally, none of them are as good as a curry made fresh and eaten on candolim beach, goa.
Find aroma hit and miss. Sometimes its great other times bland. And the specials tend to be the ones that are more miss than hit. Maybe pre ordering might help.
You are right on the chefs. If the chef leaves the place will suffer (or improve).
And as for Goa can vouch for that. Had 3 curries a day for two weeks and had just one bad one in all that time!
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:15 pm
by cricketfieldclarets
Dressinggown wrote:Been a few times recently. Food, service and decor good. BYOB policy & no corkage charge make it a cheap night out but there aren't any decent Off Licenses in the area. Restaurant probably big enough to cope with a party of 50.
Agrah is also good and might be able to cater for a big group.
I've had decent reports about Jaipur in Padiham but have not been for a while.
Jaipur was always decent. One of the lads coming owns it but its way too small.
Baltistan in clayton was decent but it needs to be burnley ideally which i know might compromise quality.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:17 pm
by cutsy123
cricketfieldclarets wrote:Find aroma hit and miss. Sometimes its great other times bland. And the specials tend to be the ones that are more miss than hit. Maybe pre ordering might help.
You are right on the chefs. If the chef leaves the place will suffer (or improve).
And as for Goa can vouch for that. Had 3 curries a day for two weeks and had just one bad one in all that time!
Ouch
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:21 pm
by cricketfieldclarets
Asbestos gut. At least three a week is the norm even here
Which reminds me bfccrazy if you are reading this its been a while since your mother made my tea!!

Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 12:34 am
by Funkydrummer
I've always enjoyed Shimla, but did notice in this weeks paper that they are
only 2 star rated on the health front.
You never know, you may come across this guy wherever you choose to go.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a-CVGb ... a-CVGbUUjQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 12:47 am
by Lord Beamish
KRBFC wrote:The last time I went I found a beetle in my food
They put it there, along with a dash of the chef's spunk and spit, because they know you're a complete ****.
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 2:35 am
by dermotdermot
Nightmare! This thread is an absolute nightmare!
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 3:13 am
by KRBFC
Lord Beamish wrote:They put it there, along with a dash of the chef's spunk and spit, because they know you're a complete ****.
I bet you wish the chef would spunk in your mouth you freak
Re:
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 6:09 am
by cricketfieldclarets
dermotdermot wrote:Nightmare! This thread is an absolute nightmare!
??
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 7:44 am
by Lord Beamish
KRBFC wrote:I bet you wish the chef would spunk in your mouth you freak
Only if he promised to snowball afterwards.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 8:44 am
by Falcon
Well this thread got me nice and hungry... until this latest exchange. Now feel distinctly nauseated.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 10:54 am
by lucs86
Agra, Aroma and Shimla are all good, Shimla's a bit more interesting style-wise, had some really good stuff there. For a big group you're definitely best off with Shimla, with BYOB you can get well fed, not believe how cheap it was, then do a short stagger into town for more beer.
Wouldn be bothered about a 2 star rating, probably a paperwork infraction, good food there.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 11:20 am
by Jakubclaret
lucs86 wrote:Agra, Aroma and Shimla are all good, Shimla's a bit more interesting style-wise, had some really good stuff there. For a big group you're definitely best off with Shimla, with BYOB you can get well fed, not believe how cheap it was, then do a short stagger into town for more beer.
Wouldn be bothered about a 2 star rating, probably a paperwork infraction, good food there.
I know the food industry pretty well the ratings hinge on alot of paperwork as opposed to real cleanliness.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 12:02 pm
by KRBFC
Lord Beamish wrote:Only if he promised to snowball afterwards.
Snowball? Wtf is that? Sounds like some freaky sh*t
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 12:02 pm
by Lord Beamish
Jakubclaret wrote:I know the food industry pretty well the ratings hinge on alot of paperwork as opposed to real cleanliness.
I think the difference between a 4 and a 5 could be down to less than diligent paperwork, but a 2 suggests a lax attitude towards cleanliness.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 12:13 pm
by Funkydrummer
If you wish to check on any food hygiene rating, you can do so on
the Food Standards Agency website. I've had a quick firkle, and it's
surprising what it throws up. (no pun intended !)
See link below.
http://ratings.food.gov.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 12:15 pm
by Jakubclaret
Lord Beamish wrote:I think the difference between a 4 and a 5 could be down to less than diligent paperwork, but a 2 suggests a lax attitude towards cleanliness.
It was generally speaking not sure about the place in question i know some pretty clean kitchens with low ratings due to less than diligent paperwork. Me personally i would not be deterred by a 2 rating or even a 1 providing the food was tasty & well presented & more importantly i could sense the place was clean. My own criteria for cleanliness would probably supercede the official ratings.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 3:38 pm
by Dom
On the theme of Indian restaurants, if you're ever in central Manchester then Arnero on Sackville Street is about the best Indian food I've had. Very good service, only 15 of us but spot on and something like £20 a head.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 3:42 pm
by Clarinetclaret
Jakubclaret wrote:It was generally speaking not sure about the place in question i know some pretty clean kitchens with low ratings due to less than diligent paperwork. Me personally i would not be deterred by a 2 rating or even a 1 providing the food was tasty & well presented & more importantly i could sense the place was clean. My own criteria for cleanliness would probably supercede the official ratings.
The scores on the door app breaks them down into individual scores. Shimla scores a fair on the food hygiene score and usha gets a poor on food hygiene. Think i'd go to agra as its good food and gets a good rating. Me personally a 1 or 2 rating would definately put me off, if a small takeaway can get a 5 why cant a decent restaurant?
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 3:47 pm
by Leisure
Leisure wrote:18 of us been twice this season, after the Everton and Spurs games. Good food and service excellent. Would definitely recommend. Always seems to be busy but they have plenty of staff on, who all seem to know their job and give excellent service.
Also went there the other week with a group of lads who are well into Indian food and they were all well impressed. Rated it one of the best they've been to! You can also link a meal there with real ale and free live music at The Talbot just further on!
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 4:10 pm
by Billy_Bumface
Just a word of warning about Agra. Living in Hapton I've been many times over the years and the food has always been excellent.
However on our most recent visit around 6 weeks ago, the member of staff serving our food could barely speak a word of English. I paid by card and had to leave my table as the staff member was walking away with it. 4 days later that account had been comprised and was being used in various parts of the country. My bank was very efficient in freezing the account, replacing my card and returning all monies outstanding.
I can't say for definate the fraud occurred there but I will not be returning.
UTC
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 4:12 pm
by claretdom
Bombay Lounge has had good reviews and is now back with original owner
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 4:37 pm
by cricketfieldclarets
claretdom wrote:Bombay Lounge has had good reviews and is now back with original owner
Bombay is reyt enough. Nurul is a good lad too. Might be perfect for what we need. Decent food and a good venue with plenty of space. Forgot he was taking it back on.
Re: Shimla spice burnley
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 4:38 pm
by claretdom
cricketfieldclarets wrote:Bombay is reyt enough. Nurul is a good lad too. Might be perfect for what we need. Decent food and a good venue with plenty of space. Forgot he was taking it back on.
Yeah he is sound and looks after you well.