Poor Maedah Grill. There's not much doubt over it's role as where people go if they can't get into Tayyab's. Not that the food was that of anyone's second choice, but nevertheless I suspect a lot of its business came from the overflow. Which was fine... Unless of course what you really wanted was Tayyab's.
Which is why Needoo's is so important. I'm not sure of the particulars of its history (apparently it's run by an ex-partner) but this place is essentially a clone of Tayyab's and offers an almost identical menu at an almost identical price (a mixed grill, four curries and a jug of Mango Lassi cost a tenner a head). It's essentially extra capacity for Tayyab's.
Decor is slightly under par when compared to the other two places, but who cares about that? The food is just as good as Tayyab's, the service is much better and best of all: you don't have to queue up for over an hour on a Friday night to get a table. In that sense I don't see any reason whatsoever to even aim for Tayyab's any more, since Needoo's offers the exact same thing without the increasing level of pretentiousness that has come with the former's popularity.
Friday, October 22
Food: Needoo Grill
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Jay Rayner when reviewing Needoo Grill really liked it, apart from the lamb chops.
ReplyDeleteI looooooooooove Tayaabs. Lamb chops, seekh kebabs, dry meat, keema, dhal baigan, baby tinda and lots of paratha and their mango lassi is my fave restaurant meal going. And their dry meat is my fave restaurant dish of all time!
But it does seem I'll have to give Needoo a try. It just that the thought of going there makes me feel a bit dirty, like I'm considering infidelity, when I already have a long term loving relationship!
And the Jay Rayner review is at http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/oct/11/jay-rayner-needoo-grill-tandoori
ReplyDeleteHmmm. Went to Needoo today for first time. And it was good, very good. But seekh kebabs, lamb chops, dal baigan and tinda all better at Tayyabs. Paratha and dry meat both better at Needoo. Although went to Needoo later than would normally have gone to Tayyabs (queues at Tayyabs ridiculous) so dry meat probably benefited from sitting around, letting the flavours gently mingle for a bit longer.
ReplyDeleteHowever, at Needoo no big push to get us out of the door when we'd finished eating, so a much more relaxed (and spacious!) experience.
I think the point (for me at least) is that any difference in food quality is balanced by the fact that you're actually getting to eat *something*.
ReplyDeleteIn that sense I do think that Tayyabs is oversubscribed for what it offers. I hope Needoo remains as busy as it currently is to be honest.