Anoki, 129 London Road, Derby

I was extremely pleased to hear the news that Anoki is now open on Sunday evenings. So when friends asked if we'd like to go for a ruby one dreary Sunday afternoon, we didn't need to be asked twice!
Housed on the upper floor of an old movie theatre, the dining room features are impressive. An entrance adorned with fresh flower petals, takes you up mirrored stairs to a large room with an ornate curved ceiling, walls dotted with contemporary prints, and a projector screening Bollywood musicals onto a wall, making Anoki's first impressions pretty breathtaking. It doesn't stop here, the staff are some of the most courteous and efficient in town, and certainly the best dressed in their traditional outfits, and the owner Nev invariably on hand to welcome you.
Poppadoms are complementary here, and come with the usual suspects, lime pickle, mint sauce etc, but the presentation is certainly above the norm. No stainless steel serving plates here.
Cold Cobra beers ordered, we hit the menu. Spicy grill selection pour moi (£6.50), a heavenly plate of various chicken and lamb morsels, for Bec it was here favourite Prawn Puri (£5.95), a better than average version of this popular bhuna strength dish, served on hot puri bread. I just love the starters in Indian restaurants, I think it's the heady aromas drifting through the air, they cause my taste buds to shout "order everything!".
The alert staff ensured our drinking vessels were never empty, and the main attraction soon hit centre stage. Chicken Makhani (£11.95)came in an exquisite square bowl with painstakingly hand carved vegetable decorations, as did Bec's Lamb Saag (£11.95), both supported by a bowl of shared pillau rice and a plain nan. The depth of tastes achieved in both dishes was simply adorable. For once I think we got the quantities just right, either that or we were extremely hungry.
Absolutely no complaints, impressive venue, top quality food, exquisite presentation and above average service.
I recently saw an advert for Anoki, the wording said "Not only Derby's best Indian restaurant, but probably Derby's best restaurant" I'm not gonna argue with that!
I tell you what, just writing this has made me hungry "Bec, fancy a curry tonight!?"
Food 9/10
Service 9/10
Venue 9/10
Tel: 01332 292888
www.anoki.co.uk

"I'll take all they can give me. And then I'm gonna ask for more" (Looking After No 1, Boomtown Rats, 1977)

Martin, Sunday 10th June 2007