Gurkha Fire, Chatham
Welcome back to chapter 3 of the 2024 Curry Club Chronicles. So, from what seemed like an eternity of waiting for the 2024 Curry Club season to kick off, pow, It's March already! We are striding out of Winter and into the joys of Spring. The evenings are lighter and with that the mood and morale in the camp is high, but that could all fall foul as conflict sweeps Curry Club. There is an eerie mist that has descended upon the group, a fog of deceit and betrayal. Ooooh exciting, na not really was just trying capture the audience, trying a new tactic with my writing, setting the scene, but in all honesty Dave has been well sneaky this month, creeping about and plotting like Dick Dastardly in Wacky Races (jeez, that is a niche reference that the youngsters won't get). So here's the lowdown, let me bring you up to speed. Ricky was in charge of February Curry Club and had his eye on a new restaurant that was due to open, he was in regular communication with this new restaurant hoping they'd open in time for his month of "hosting" alas it wasn't to be so we visited the Gandhi which was a back up plan. He was disappointed to have missed out on his desired location but still, the show must go on and all that, and Ricky was organised enough, as the consummate professional he is, to have a contingency plan in place to mitigate risk, sorry dropped a bit of corporate lingo in there for a second, anyway Dave had gotten wind of this new restaurant and booked it up for his Curry Club evening in March! Complete disregard to his fellow Curry companion. Sneaky and devious or smart? You can be the judge of that. It is like being at school...
Dave: "Can I copy your homework?"
Ricky: "Yeah sure, but change a few words so it doesn't look obvious"
Cheers mate. Its all good really, no atmosphere in the group, I'm just creating one for dramatic effect. So, this month we'll be visiting the newly opened Gurkha Fire in Chatham. This is a popular choice as the Gurkha Fire is owned by the same guys, same chefs as Dylan's. Now, for you observant readers, and loyal supporters of Curry Club, you'll know that Dylan's was a wonderful little Nepalese restaurant on Chatham High Street that we visited last year, Craig took us there and it was very close to success, came very close to nabbing Curry Club Curry of The Year. I guess Craig would have booked this place up if he was able to and obviously Ricky was keen but Dave read the game well, intercepted and took his shot but did he score...?
Quick attendee check...No Ali or Leon this month due to general life management, but the rest of the gang were there, so a table for nine. First off, pre-curry drinks in the Alexandria, which is opposite the restaurant and right outside Chatham train station on the roundabout. Now, it's not a fancy, modern, cocktail bar with jazzy melodies and Ibiza chill out sounds type of establishment but if you like to hang out with guys in hi-vis jackets, listen to Queen on the jukebox and drink cheap lager then this is the place for you. It doesn't look like it has seen a paintbrush since the 70's but I guess that only heightens the "Proper Pub" experience and in a world where you need to re-mortgage your home to be able to afford a beer, to be able to find a pint under £5 was a nice change.
As mentioned, the train station is a stones throw away from the restaurant and the A2 is up the road so it's very easy to get to. Upon approach, Gurkha Fire looks vibrant and inviting. A modern restaurant built in what was the old Chatham fire station, hence the name Gurkha Fire I would presume. As we entered, we were immediately hit with the most incredible smell which enticed us upstairs to our table. There was a captivating ambiance and the decor was a blend of Nepal’s rich heritage but also a clear nod to the buildings history, all whilst offering a modern and stylish feel. First impressions are key and in addition to the restaurants appearance the manager's welcoming, friendly and conversational approach provided the perfect first impression, very impressive. As mentioned in the intro, Gurkha Fire is owned by the same chefs that own Dylan's down the road, so we knew we'd be in for a treat as all the dishes have been personally created by Raju and Keshav (ex dishoom chefs) and childhood friends from the small village of Bihunkot Nepal, so you'll know that the food will be authentic and that was something you could taste in the food that they prepared at Dylan's, you can you taste/feel that home cooked, authenticity in the flavours, so we were hoping that the self proclaimed "best food this side of Kathmandu" would be replicated at Gurkha Fire.
We sat down, menu's on the table and began to review the options whilst the drinks and poppadoms were ordered. As much as I love a Cobra with my curry, I really do enjoy a bottle of Gurkha lager when we visit a Nepalese restaurant, makes a nice change. So Gurkha lagers all around! The manager popped over to introduce himself and offer up some menu advice and was really very helpful, suggesting and recommending what meals to have, what dishes to try and share as a group communally, whilst also throwing in some free Khichiya which was a "grown up" poppadom alternative, a fancy take on the traditional poppadoms. The menu was compact, there isn't a great deal of options and as a result there wasn't much of a sample size, especially meat based curries, for us to all try something different, with the majority of us opting for the same dishes. That said, the manager advised that if there was anything that we fancied, that was more traditional and not featured on the limited menu, it could be made on request. So, if you fancied a Madras for example, they'd knock one up for you which is good to know but, you know...when in Rome and all that. Oh, and worth noting...FREE Gurkha WiFi, which meant I could live stream stories on Instagram, you've got to appeal to the fans, right?
Following the minimalist approach, the dips/sauces that accompanied the poppadoms (and Khichiya) were tiny. There must be a dip tax somewhere as they were served up in little pots the size of an egg cup, I mean it all looked wonderful with the presentation and little dipping spoons but there is no way that stuff is going to last 2 seconds with us strapping, handsome beasts around. The dips lasted less than expected and we had to request a top up, and then another and then it got boring having to ask for continuous top ups that eventually I gave in and just ate them without any dip, so if we are looking at constructive criticism then this would be one point. I get it, the minimalist look and presentation and that's fine, just be on top of it and ensure there are regular top ups. I mean, Darren pretty much demolished all the dips in one go!
We decided that we'd have starters this month due to the menu layout. It isn't a traditional restaurant where you bombard the table with Bhaji's and Bombay Aloo, so we decided that we'd have chicken and lamb Momo's to start, they are dumplings if you are unsure, which is mandatory in a Nepalese isn't it, and they didn't disappoint, they melted in your mouth and the flavours were divine. The manager also recommended the Palak Chat which is a spinach dish, he convinced us to try it, guaranteeing we'd like it, and if we didn't, he'd take it off the bill. Very confident and he had every right to be because that little dish of spinach was to die for. We also shared the Peanut Sadheko which is a spicy little number, that provides a real kick but the Wings stole the show. Those Naga inspired buttery Chicken wings stole Dave's soul at one point, they really packed a punch. Now, i will issue a warning here, if you aren't a spicy person then you need to steer well clear of these, even if you are good with "heat" I'd still put a health warning on these. They blew your head off but also tasted great, which made you go back for more, which then set fire to your face again, it was like a vicious circle. I mean, fuck, wow they were hot, excuse my language but they were brutal, although there wasn't a lingering heat, just a short term "burn". Ricky really had a sweat on and Dave had a meltdown of instant regret. Neil kept on going though, ploughing through two wings, one after the other. What a hero!
On to the main event. Once again, a set up that has become customary, we split up into pairs and/or smaller groups. Ricky and I paired up to share the Gurkhali Fire Lamb and the Lamb Chops. We paired that up with the Basmati rice and Truffle Cheese Naan. With the menu being quite limited in size, the rice options were a bit plain with just Basmati and Pulao but the flavours from the two lamb dishes made up for that. The Gurkhali Lamb was perfectly cooked and the sauce, whilst oozing with gusto, had an after taste that sneaked up on you and assaulted your taste buds. It came with a little pot of "Fire Sauce" which you drizzle over to suit your taste but there was absolutely no need to do that whatsoever, however it was the perfect accompaniment to the Lamb Chops. The Lamb Chops, again, were wonderful, small but full of flavour, a taste sensation in fact. The chops are served with a mint sauce, which of course makes sense but the Fire Sauce seemed to work better. Firechops if you like, there you go Gurkha chefs, you can have that for free! The Truffle Cheese Naan was delightful, really excellent taste, perfect for mopping up that Gurkhali Lamb sauce. Ricky was gutted, not because it wasn't good but because he loved every bit of it. A shame that he was unable to select this place himself. Ricky's loss was certainly Dave's gain. Ricky was in agreement on the Lamb Chops, they were exceptional, just wanted more.
Dave and Neil married up for the night and shared the Gurkhali Fire Lamb and the Mutton Katiya. There was a running theme throughout the evening with the Gurkhali Fire Lamb but there was limited options in terms of meat curries with the only chicken dish being the Butter Chicken on the bone. You could opt for the mixed grill I guess if you want a meaty dining experience but it isn't cheap at £20 but could perhaps share that among the table rather than having the other small plates or sides like the wings and Sadheko. Just an idea to combat the lack of meaty curry options, although, like I mentioned before, they could rustle you up a little Chciken Jalfrezi or Lamb Madras if you really wanted. Anyway, Neil and Dave enjoyed their meals, really lovely, decent food. Dave finished up his meal, no problem and washed away the overwhelming heat of the Chicken Wings with glugs of Gurkha Lager and Ricky's tears! Onto our little dieters Darren and Gary, who have replaced rice with cauliflower or Broccoli, that's it I think, that's the diet. Anyway, Gary got over excited again by describing the naan as the best naan he has ever had, which is what he said last month too. I do agree though, the Truffle Cheese Naan was bloody amazing. They both shared the Gurkhali Fire Lamb, Mutton Katiya and the Malai Broccoli, which Gary described as "unreal" even the menu states that you'll be surprised by how good this is but Gary was really championing this dish, he couldn't emphasize just how good it was. Gary even went as far as saying that with the Malai Broccoli and the Palak Chat, the vegetable dishes were just as good, if not better, than the meat dishes. Which is absolutely not a slur on the Lamb at all, just a high five for the veggie options. As for those lamb dishes, they were "cracking"
Sat at the end of the table, Adam and the two Craig's combined to have a little Nepalese menage a trois. Craigy P, a man of few words, once again didn't give much away but the clean plate would suggest his approval. Adam enjoyed his meal although the Chicken Wings appeared to have knocked him for six as the waitress noticed his distress and came to his rescue with what can only be described as a vase of water. Craig was feeling a little bit conflicted, the food was fantastic, of that there was no doubt, but he felt that you could probably enjoy the same dishes down the road at Dylan's for a more budget friendly meal. The wings also conquered Craig, they were just too hot, ridiculously hot, and he felt that it affected the remainder of the dishes as they became tainted which I wouldn't disagree with so if you are looking for a little hint, perhaps have these last, then treat yourself to a dessert to cleanse the palate and on that note, lets talk dessert. Yes, that's right, we all had a dessert! Unusual for us all to indulge after our main meal but we did. I'm sure I speak for the group when I say that, I was just having such a great time that I didn't want to go home, so the chance to prolong the evening with a little afters was an obvious choice. Adam had a cheesecake, Mango Cheesecake I think? Darren had the Chocolate Brownie which looked amazing.
A couple decided to finish the evening with a coffee and a couple, including myself chose the Chai Affogato which was the perfect ending to a great night. Cleansed the palate beautifully. An affogato is an Italian dessert whereby vanilla ice cream is drowned in espresso..."affogato" literally translates as "drowned" in English, there you go, every day is a school day. The Gurkha Fire take on this is to drown the ice cream in a Chai Liqueur giving it an almost Baileys type zing. It is strong, not a subtle flavour but is the perfect balance to counteract the heat of that Fire Sauce, like an extinguisher.
Time for the bill, oh dear, this could be pricey. It is a fancy establishment so you are paying for a premium, you're paying for the experience as well as the food I suppose, so there is a hint of that reflecting in the price I would presume. In total it worked out at just under £51 per person, which sounds expensive but when you unpack it all, it really isn't. You get what you pay for and in this case we had indulged in starters and dessert on top of our usual selections, so of course we were expecting a higher cost but with that I certainly felt value for that money, considering the quality of the food we had devoured. There were no little mints or chocolates accompanying the bill which was a shame but we had all finished with a dessert, so no harm done. Perhaps if we hadn't of had the desserts we may have been a little more annoyed about the after dinner choccy.
Before I get to the final thoughts and summarise on the evening, lets just compare the differences between Gurkha Fire and Dylan's. What exactly are the differences? Firstly, they are both great in their own right, the chefs passion for their food is evident, one of the chefs visited our table after your meal to thank us and seek feedback, this happened at both restaurants, and I get the impression that they really listen too. I mean, they are the experts, not us, but you can tell that they take note of what you say and have a genuine interest and with that you are setting yourself up for success. In terms of the differences, I would say that Gurkha Fire is set up to immerse you in a top dining experience of culinary excellence. From the decor, the seating arrangements, mood lighting. It really sets the scene and creates an atmosphere and sense of quality and that quality is reflected in the presentation of the food. Yes, there are some dishes that are also available at Dylan's but the vibe is different. Dylan's gives you more of a street food style experience, where the focus is serving up decent street food dishes in a more cafe style setting, quick dining, in and out. Whilst Gurkha Fire really focuses on the Nepalese dining experience, enjoying the environment, conversing with friends and relaxing, enjoying the moment without rush. Dylan's offers the more traditional dishes that combine Indian and Indo-Chinese street foods like noodles and Masala Chips, a more casual affair. Gurkha Fire provides that extra quality in the dishes that they serve up.
In summary, a great evening in a restaurant that we'd highly recommend and it definitely won't be our last visit I'm sure, whether that is as a group or for us as individuals. Did it meet expectations? Absolutely, it met and exceeded the expectations. Look, if you want a Vindaloo and poppadoms swimming in mango chutney then this isn't the place for you but If you're craving an authentic taste of Nepal in a welcoming atmosphere, look no further than Gurkha Fire. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Whether you wish to have spicy heat or a milder dish, there's something for everyone, although we, as a group, did go a bit "spicy heavy" with the options. The staff were brilliant, very engaging and friendly. They treated us like celebrities, perhaps our Curry Club reputation precedes us. If we were to nit pick, and trust me it was hard to find fault here but if you demanded some criticism then obviously the lack of dips/sauces with the poppadoms would be of note, maybe being a bit more attentive there would be advised. Also, there were some finished plates that weren't cleared from the table and left for longer than they should be. Sitting there eating ice cream whilst trying to navigate round the left over fire sauce and used cutlery isn't ideal but come on, I'm really stretching here for negatives to offer an unbiased, balanced review but ultimately this is a very, very good restaurant and I really struggle to see it being beaten. It maybe March, it's early doors yet but could we have just visited the winner of Curry Club 2024?! It's a bold claim so early on sure, but the quality is there.
Excellent night, Dave. Great organisation, Well done! Top evening as always, with a great bunch of lads. What more could you want.
Cheerio!
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