Imran (Closed – now Phat Buns)
Address:
262 Ladypool Rd, Birmingham, United Kingdom, United Kingdom B12 8JU
Contact Information
Phone:
0121 449 1370
3 Responses to Imran (Closed – now Phat Buns)
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Andy’s Review
Imran has always been seen as one of the heavyweights on the baltiscene and after several years’ absence, I returned with no little anticipation.
The restaurant was refurbished in the aftermath of the tornado and has been smartened up and extended without losing its ‘street cred’ look. On arrival the place was buzzing (always a good sign) probably due to the Ashes at Edgbaston.
Our party was shown to one of the few spare tables and it must be said that throughout the meal, the service was polite and punctual. Paid for poppadoms were accompanied by a quite bewildering array of chutnies and dips – from the usual yoghourt and mint smoothie to a green one which I am sure would have glowed luminously in the dark.
Imran has always been known for its Tandoori Lamb Chops and these didn’t disappoint – a tender trio of a decent size and packed with a really tasty punch. I also sampled one of the Stuffed Mushrooms with Paneer and Herbs and these came encased in breadcrumbs. A sort of 1970s Balti Berni affair and despite the mouthwatering menu description it was disappointingly overdone and, to be frank, a bit grainy. Others in the party more sensibly went for the Sheekh Kebabs and like the lamb chops they were excellent.
My main course was a Balti Chicken Bhuna described as ‘being served up in a balti’. I’m afraid my idea of a balti bowl was a bit different to the small shiny dish in which the balti was served. However, to be fair, it was rich and tomatoey and the chicken breast was top quality. My view wasn’t shared by my wife who declared that her Balti Chicken and Mushroom was a bit one dimensional and nothing to write home about. The accompanying Garlic Naan was disappointingly dry but was rescued by the numerous nuggets of garlic cloves.
I was too full for a sweet but my wife opted for the first example that I’ve seen of fusion ice cream – a traditional Mali Kulfi, unnecessarily anointed with the sort of bright red raspberry sauce that is the trademark of Mr Whippies across the land!
ANDY MUNRO
I recently went back to Imrans after quite some time. I have been eating at the restaurant for many years but the quality has for sure gone down. The chicken balti I had with my fellow diners was dry and it was a very small portion compared to what they used to give. The service was ok, took several minutes to get another naan, by that time the baltis had gone cold. I dont normally have desserts but was left quite surprised at the quality and its not worth the price, it was a few years ago not anymore. I dont think I will be going back to Imrans in a hurry, they need to realise there are so many other curry houses and many of them are much better sadly Imrans have lost that touch for me. I have to say the poppadoms were nice so were our starters of seekh kebabs, lamb chops and samosas. Mains were a let down such a shame though Imrans was a favourite of mine.
Andy’s latest visit to Imran’s
It’s some time since I’ve eaten at Imran which has always had a talented cheffing team. On my visit, I started with poppadoms and dips – hardly ground breaking under normal circumstances but, in fairness, the dips were absolutely top notch – from an interesting and tasty pureed vegetable variety to a mango dip…the latter can be cloyingly sweet but Imran have refined it with the addition of spices to give it excellent balance.
Then I indulged in sheekh kebabs and chicken tikka which were enjoyably tender if unremarkable. However, it was the main course that was the highlight – a lamb haandi, normally cooked on the bone in a melange of spices. However, I ordered mine specifically off the bone and the chunks of leg and shoulder of lamb were cooked to perfection. The sauce was spicy without being in the flame thrower category and the individual spices, ranging from shreds of fresh ginger to the pickling sauce mix of paandh pooram, showed through perfectly…all mopped up with a fluffy naan. Definitely a dish that’s worth a return visit.