Coriander Lounge, Southampton (From Daily Echo)

Coriander Lounge, High Street, Southampton

11:27am Wednesday 24th February 2010 in Restaurant Reviews By Lorelei Reddin, Entertainments Editor

I HAVE found curry heaven – and it’s right here in Southampton.

The newest addition to the city’s thriving stable of impressive Indian restaurants has put a big smile on the face of this curry lover.

Partners Nab Miah, Mujib Mohammed and chef Md Sifuddin have transformed the premises which have laid empty since La Parisienne decamped from the High Street into a delightfully decorated sleek and modern venue with a friendly atmosphere.

The trio have decades of experience in the trade between them and have put together an enviable menu of Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine.

A friend and I were given a warm welcome on a wet and windy Tuesday night when trade was brisk despite the weather and enjoyed poppadoms and chutneys as we perused the superb menu.

For starter, us two cheese lovers both opted for a vegetarian and deliciously cheesy option. I adored the Aloo Cheese Tikki, potato balls which unusually included brie as well as ginger and roasted cashew nuts and my companion devoured her Pannier Tikka, clay oven cooked cubes of the Indian cheese served with peppers, tomato and onion.

Our generous hosts also provided us with Garlic Fried Prawns, juicy, tasty and perfectly spicy.

I followed our delightful starters up with Jhinga Karai, king prawns, ginger, garlic, onions and capsicum cooked to perfection in the karai.

My friend opted for the wonderfully fruity Mango Chicken dish and we accompanied the dishes with pilau rice, a plain naan and lovely Saag Paneer.

Also delivered to the table was the incredible Dum Ki Nalli, slow cooked lamb shank falling off the bone with a blend of aromatic spices.

We washed our dinner down with a bottle of Argentinian Malbec, one of the new world delights on an impressive wine list, and mineral water.

I can honestly say this was the best Indian meal I have ever had. I cannot praise this delightful place highly enough.

Coriander Lounge,
130-131 High Street,
Southampton,
SO14 2BR
023 8071 0888
corianderlounge.com