I first dined at Ziya Asian Grill (opposite
Mughli) not long after they opened (a couple of years ago) – at the time I
thought it was “all fur coat and no
knickers” – whilst the food was beautifully presented, I felt it lacked the
quality it promised.
Fast forward a couple of years – they have changed
chefs, menus and cut the prices. They’ve also been regular contributors to the @notjustsoupMCR initiative,
where independent restaurants take it in turns to provide food for Manchester’s
homeless and those in need. Time for a second chance.
Overall, I found the food had
improved and certainly seemed greater value for money. That said, it’s still
not got the quality to truly excite me.
As for “pros”, Ziya’s main
draw has always been its glitzy setting; service is friendly and efficient; and
everything was well cooked (batters crisp, meat tender etc.) – the lamb chops
were particularly good.
To my mind, what Ziya serve
are good examples of what I’d call “English curries” – dishes that are a little
sweet with “foggy and fuddled” spicing. I’m not talking heat here, but a clarity,
vibrancy and gutsiness that is all too often missing in many curry houses.
For the best curry in Manchester,
I’d still rather hit up one of the “curry cafes” on Cheetham Hill and alike.
Poppadum, Chutneys
& Cocktails
Paneer Tikka – a spiced paneer & vegetable
“kebab”, cooked in the tandoor
Dina Bites – gram flour battered jalapeno
chillies filled with cumin & cheese
Corn Cheese Tikki – pan fried patties of mashed
sweetcorn, potato & cheese mixed with herbs, garnished with tamarind &
yoghurt sauce
Peshwari Lamb Chops
Prawn Tempura – tiger prawn in a spiced batter
Methi Murgh – chicken curry cooked with
fenugreek leaves
Gobi Masala – cauliflower
Paneer Lazeez – paneer in a creamy onion &
tomato sauce
Bhindi Bhaji – okra with cumin seeds, whole red
chillies, tomato & coriander
Malabar Fish Curry – a Keralan curry with coconut,
turmeric, mustard seeds & chillies.
Chilli Garlic Naan & Parath Paratha
I didn’t have a dessert as they were the usual uninspiring
selection.
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