Visits 2001 - Dec

10 Dec 2002 - Update, the Balti king have ask us to point out that they now offer a take away service.

December - Junction 16 , NORTHAMPTON

Balti King

76 Earl Street

Upper Mounts

Northampton

NN1 3AX

01604 637747

M1CurryClub Chili rating

M1CurryClub Reviews

Mick V's Review

Well from the early opinions, the area was a bit on the bleak side, being similar in appearance to a mining town at the turn of the century. The Pub 'The Jolly Cobbler' (the only one around) was a bit more up to date (being reminiscent of the 1970's). Following first impressions, the internal decor did not surpass the surrounding area, but the food made it all worth while.

First course being ample supplies of Popadoms, although the accompied salads were tastly, but of only one variety. Having been requested for the standard price per head (£10 to feed us) we had a good variety of dishes, both for starters and for main course, all independently flavoured, to whet our appetites.

The starters consisted of 7 totally different, but nevertheless tasty dishes, which were all shared enthusiastically.

The main courses then arrived in 7 Balti dishes, together with a multiplicity of other dishes, Two Huge Naan breads, and a Chapati.

All in all I think everybody was most impressed by the food (and after all what could be more important), despite its location.

And last but definitely not least, the price, despite offering £10 per head, we were charged less than £9 per head (including drinks) you don't get much better than that.

The manager was so pleased with the award, he called all the staff to join in the photo. All in all a very pleasant meal.

Malc's Review

This was a new visit for the curry club, being away from our normal area and visiting it on recommendation from a members neighbor, but then we can all be adventurous occasionally.

First impressions can sometimes be misleading - believe this and you will be okay. When first seen, this place was in a poor area and looked small. Inside, there is more dining area than first thought and the decor was very
basic. The Balti King is also a true Balti, so we were prepared to take our own drinks.

That was the bad bit, the rest just gets better. Starting with good prices - we asked to be fed at £10 per head and were given change.

We were given good selections of food to choose from, which were very varied and all tasty, well prepared and in good quantity. One of our members summed the food up by saying that each dish was individual, not just some basic
sauce with different meat or vegetables added. Nothing was too hot and the dishes individually revolved around fish, several of meat and vegetable dishes.

Service was slower than some places but never too long, allowing us to enjoy the evening.

If we ever get round to second visits, this would be one on my list to go back to.

Dave's review

A Tale of Cobblers

Twas a dark lonely night in the earlyness of December when the Emwon abandoned it's habits and headed for Northampton. Unusual because 'twas a Sunday; unusual because 'twas Northampton; unusual because the chosen place was known not firsthand but, forsooth, "a mate said it was OK".

The meeting place was cause for concern, surely Mr. Dickens wrote of the very place in his admirable novel "Oliver Twist", and ‘twas called the Jolly Cobbler. Enough said, let us move on to the main event.

The Bulti King was an err of spelling, and proved itself to be the Balti King among cries of "I told you so". The young server-wallah was of exceedingly stout build and greeted us without enthusiasm and with undue coyness, however, if this be the place he doeth eat the fayre must surely be good. And his elder comrade, who scored no better, would not attend to our needs on account of a more compelling diversion, as from his view, on the distant end of the telephone.

In course, after explaining that Emwon were but seven and not - as if mine host could not count - the fourteen expected, we were led to a simple but unattractive, that is unless plastic tablecloths are your particular fetish, trestle. The decor matched well to the table.

And now, dear reader, if you have valiantly resisted the call of euthanasia or hari-kari thus far, I am compelled to change the tone of this discourse. The "feed-us-a-selection" was negotiated at ten quid per head, drinks not included for guests must bring their own at this establishment. Popadums came with but one variety of auxiliary I do admit, but were followed by seven starters of infinite variety and of finest quality. 'Twas not easy to share between seven the dishes cunningly designed for a single diner, but 'twas again proven that necessity is the mother of invention. 'Twould not be just if I failed to further explain the variety, for therein were: fish of different kinds, keema or meat, onion barjii, egg, scotch(?) egg, shaami kebab, samosa, and more beyond the scope my experience. And all to the finest quality.

The main courses were equally impressive. Seven balti dishes were presented containing seven different recipes each bearing little or no resemblence to each of the others. The more traveled amongst Emwon agreed "no batch cooking here, matey". The quality, again, was with no flaw nor equal.

Having no confusion due to the purchase of drinks, the agreed ten quid was quickly calculated by the establishment to be a shade under nine quid so, by unanimous consent, the change was returned as a tip.

The unusualness of the occasion was not yet done. The chili rating was presented to the officer in charge, a Muslim gentleman with a Taleban beard, and he was complemented upon his cuisine. The event was recorded for posterity in pixels. More forward thinking Emwons had already ascertained that, for the first time I believe, no free drink would be forthcoming as the establishment held no such stock! Emwon left in good time to allow the establishment to close by it's published time of ten of the clock. Ten O ‘ Clock! That, as surely as a duck says “quack”, is a first!

Emwon

(I would apologise to Jeffery Archer for this if he wasn't such a c**t)

M1CurryClub detailed rating - 4.16

Ease of parking 4 - This is single yellow line zones, but easy to find space

Ease to locating 5 - We found it dead easy following the map

Extent of menu 4 - Very extensive for a small place

Quality of food 4 - All food served was of a good standard

Taste 4.5 - Very good (no batch cooking here)

Speed of service 4 - Just the right! (you dropped a mark because of the guy on the telephone)

Any special beers - No mark given as its "bring your own"

Value for money 5 - At £10 per head with the tip, what more could you ask!

Environment 3 - No frills, back street curry house

Waiters 3 - Just OK, no more!

Manager 5 – Was fully into the the chilly rating

Paul's closing comments - I think this place could have been our first 5 Chilli Rated curry house, if not for the location, environment and the waiters.

So we keep looking for the 5 chilli one, it must be somewhere!

Its worth a visit to the Balti King but avoid the the Jolly Cobbler pub.

Click on to enlarge