A Perfect Indian Storm

A "Perfect Storm" is an expression that describes an event that happens to occur in such a confluence, resulting in an event of unusual magnitude.

 

Well, I had one of them on Monday.

 

To explain, it was a day of glorious early September sun, my wife was busy for the evening, and a mate who's wife was away and him up for a beer and curry.

 

My 'wifeless' friend took all of two seconds to accept the evenings invitation, and things got even better when my wife offered to drop us off in the village.

 

First stop for 'the boys on tour' was The White Horse, which has seen some small changes since new landlords Benjamin & Vikki took over recently. Still a bit early for the evening meal trade to arrive, we joined the good number of locals in enjoying a well deserved couple of pints.

 

Next stop was The Smugglers, where it will come as no surprise that some beer was on our agenda, as was a packet of excellent pork scratchings. (Don't tell either of the wives.) The pub was looking pretty busy, which is always good to see. The gardens looked full of colour, with families and a smattering of dogs inside and out.

 

Suitably refreshed, it was now time for the main event, and we wandered over to Zaika, receiving the customary warm welcome.  Beers ordered, the warm freshly cooked pile of papadoms were soon on our table. Six sounded a reasonable number for two, plus of course two spicy. Fellow diners had looks on their faces saying 'they will never eat all of those'. They were soon proved wrong, as slowly the papadums snapped and the pile diminshed. For an experienced curry eater, it is of course all about pacing yourself and balancing the intake of food and fluids!

 

Our conversation was as ever amusing and pointless, ideal for a boys night out. Our mail meal was a feast and tasted excellent. Chicken Patia, Lamb Bhuna, Onion Bhaji, Mushroom Bahji, Pilau Rice and Pashwari Naan. Who could resist such a spice explosion?

 

It was great to hear that Zaika had enjoyed a busy summer season, and on the quality of food served tonight, I was not surprised.

 

As we forgo the coffee for a last Kingfisher, we deliberated a walk to The Red Lion, but whilst our minds were willing, our bodies were now too full to move effectively. Our last effort was the walk home, discovering along the way that the road had become unexpectedly zig zaggy, something that we shall report to the Parish Council later.

 

To end the evening we had a night cap, chatted some more and swiftly forgot everything we had spoken about. - Roll on the next 'Perfect Storm'.

Zaika Indian Restaurant

69 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QG
01590 643084
www.zaikanewforest.co.uk