Back in the UK like many people we also loved our monthly meal outing at an Indian restaurant and since moving in Valencia this is one of the lifes ´ little pleasures that we have not experienced yet, until a friend suggested that if we wanted to taste decent curries then head down to the south of Valencia towards Alicante. So last weekend my husband and I decided to take an hour and a half road trip to the seaside town of Calpe.
We heard that Punjabi Curry is a small traditional Indian food restaurant situated close to the promenade, just along Calle la Niña. The interior of the restaurant is rather small, simple but tidy, and they make up for the large outdoor seating area at the front where you can enjoy watching people go by and listen to the sound of the sea while waiting for your food.
Suki the owner told us upon arriving that he can also speak English and offered us the option for either a Spanish or English version of the menu. The service was prompt and friendly, all of our needs were catered for.
My husband and I were more excited than the children as this has been the first time in over a year since we have sat down in a traditional Indian restaurant. Some things we took for granted when we were back home, however, this time is a more special and ´new´experience for us… I mean… how many times have we sat in a curry restaurant on a Saturday lunchtime that overlooked the beach?
I found the menu very typical of an Indian restaurant, with the usual options of pakoras, samosas and bhajis for starters. For the main meals, the husband and I opted for lamb jalfrezi, saag aloo, naan bread and mushroom rice, while our eldest son chose the lamb bhuna along with plain rice. The portions were generous and the I would give their rice the best ever rate for fluffiness if ever there is one. I can simply describe that the food that we had here is what I would expect from a good traditional curry restaurant, authentic, flavoursome and yet reasonably priced.
Finding the place is not hard and there is available parking along the main road. They also offer takeaway service if you live within a 5-mile radius, sadly for us! They also offer a Menu del Dia for the price of €8.95 and a Menu de Noche for €12.50 from 21:00 pm onwards. The hour and a half drive were worth the trip, along with the great food we also get to spend a few hours in Calpe admiring the beach and town.
A Saturday family day trip WIN!