Taj Mahal Tandoori in Newry and Mourne

I agree with Frankm’s view. The couple who run it do work hard and are always courteous but to be honest the flavours don’t wow. We usually go for chicken tikka nan kebabs, but really only if we are stuck. The fact is I can buy M&S chicken biryani, their finest chicken tikka masala, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and non breads and rustle up bloody good chicken tikka nans at home. There’s three bonuses doing it this way - one, and most important, the food actually tastes better, two and almost as important, we know what’s in it and there’s no crap or artificial colours etc and third it’s cheaper. The one thing I can’t reconcile with all our Bangladeshi restaurants in the city is that they’ve pitched their main meals at top dollar prices but this is not reflected in the quality, portion size or the taste of the food. The fact is I had enough of crap Bangladeshi food some time back and the nickel and dimeing by Spice of India. The chap in there can nickel and dime like the best of them. The Water Street place put me off for life in this city. Our response - if we want a good ‘Indian’ meal we go to Indian Ocean Glengormley (they’ve also places in Hollywood & Carrickfergus) or Bengal Brasserie Lisburn Road Belfast as a second choice. Fact is while both places are a bit more expensive the quality in these places is so many, many times better. Our Bangladeshi restauranteurs would do well to buy a take away from Indian Ocean - Match the quality there. Match the price too and business will flow. Quality will always out.

I ordered a lamb dansak and a peshwari nan. The place was busy with carry outs. When I got home the curry needed microwaved and as I later discovered a pineapple ring in it probably made it cold. The lentils were almost liquidised,perhaps they were using cheaper half lentils.The meat was large pieces and tender,though it tasted a bit like beef. The peshwari nan tasted a bit funny. But I eat all. And the price of £6.50 is dirt cheap for Indian curry. The man and wife team deserve success as they work hard and are friendly. But being honest 3 stars is all I could give it.

Just eaten starters from here,but they were fine. The place is run by a man and wife team. Very friendly and clean. Their menu is very reasonably priced. It is a bit off a hidden gem. I recommend it fully.