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Khan Ba Ba review
Lynda Moyo likes the flames but finds the food has little spark
In their takeover of both corners of their patch on Liverpool Road, the ticking brains behind Salt and Pepper have come up with Khan Ba Ba.
Khan Ba Ba's culinary selection is on one theme: Indian cuisine, unlike its sister restaurant which has a varied, multi-continental menu. Some love Salt and Peppers versatility whilst others find their menu confusingly average. But to quote a friend: “If you throw enough shit at a wall, some will stick,” and thus the success of Salt and Pepper, whether you like it or not, has led to Khan Ba Ba's emergence.
The effort that has been put into this new venue is second to none. It's extremely clean and well laid out with a choice of bench-like raised tables around the periphery and ground level tables spanning around the open-plan, visible kitchen. There's a rustic, log cabin feel about the place and on a very cold and damp evening, with their flaming street lanterns at the door, it sets the scene impeccably for an authentic Indian dining experience.
The food unfortunately didn't live up to its setting, despite my high hopes. Rashmi kebab starter (£3.50) resembled an infected corn dog and didn't taste much better either. The combination of minced chicken and cheese with a greasy, eggy coating and no seasoning resulted in a rubbery, tasteless dish. The chicken pakora (£2.50) was along the same lines. “About as Indian as KFC popcorn chicken,” my partner said of the spicy cornflour chicken balls as he picked at the wimp of a side salad.
There's an almost unbalanced amount of chicken on the Khan Ba Ba menu, particularly when it comes to main courses. We managed to pick out the lamb gosht (£7.50) amongst the chicken theme and also chicken achari (£8.50). After tasting the driest, chewiest lamb pieces I've ever had, it soon became apparent why chicken features so heavily. Keen to discuss the baffling mix-up in tastes of the meat, the lamb unfortunately delayed table conversation. Chewing less than 60 times per mouthful was not an option.
The chicken, on the other hand, was far from tender but was at least an edible, mildly spicy and satisfying combination of yogurt, onion, garlic paste, ginger paste, and chilli. Despite this gem, the mains were let down once more by a naan bread (£2.99) which looked like it had come from the same freezer department as the chicken dippers. It was fairly small, inauthentic and tasted exactly how it looked: like a supermarket garlic bread. A major let down. The taste of the pilau rice (£2.50) managed to save the course; light, fluffy and fragrant, as it should be. Shame about the way it was dolloped in the middle of a huge plate. It looked lonely and uninspiring, despite tasting top notch.
Drinks-wise, the lassi drinks are by far the best choice you can make if you want something to cool down a spicy curry. The mango lassi (£3) was particularly more-ish and we ordered several despite the waiter bizarrely trying to sell us their non-alcoholic cocktails.
“Try the non-alcoholic pina colada.”
“Ummm, no we'll just have another mango lassi, please”
“Pina colada?”
“Mango lassi.”
Maybe the non-alcoholic cocktails are worth a try but given that the Indian lassi drinks are a pound less and so delicious, I wouldn't bother. I'm sure the waiter meant well as he had tended to our every need all evening, standing with a beaming smile despite our indecisiveness and reluctance for pina colada. Attentive to the end, and even described as “lovely” by my boyfriend, it's full marks to the service. Admittedly, I suggested we take him home in a doggy bag instead of the leftover food.
The problem with Khan Ba Ba for me is that it's posing as something it's blatantly a million miles from. Money has evidentially gone into the chic décor and the flawless entrance with its grand flames, but the menu lacks such charm and spark with the presentation, taste and texture of the food in need of serious work. Hopefully, given time Khan Ba Ba will find its feet. On this occasion, unfortunately, I entered expecting another Akhbar's and left feeling like I'd eaten Abduls.
Venues are rated against the best examples of their kind: fine dining against the best fine dining, cafes against the best cafes. Following on from this the scores represent: 1-5 saw your leg off and eat it, 6-9 get a DVD, 10-11 if you must, 12-13 if you’re passing,14-15 worth a trip,16-17 very good, 17-18 exceptional, 19 pure quality, 20 perfect. More than 20: Gordo gets carried away
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19 comments so far, continue the conversation, write a comment.
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Myself and 3 friends walked into this place at 10:30 last night. We were greeted by an incredibly rude and unfriendly member of staff who simply grunted “No we’re closed” he then repeated the word closed in case we did not understand it when he said the first time round 2 seconds earlier. I suspect the staff here may need to attend a customer service course and they may also need to invest in an open/closed sign on the front door. I will never know what the food tastes like in this place because I have no intention of ever spending my money in there. Good manners cost nothing!
Linda Moyo maybe you shouldn't mention other restaurants when you are reviewing, stick to talking about the one in question. Our experience of Khan Ba Ba was absolutely fabulous food, staff & ambience.
We live locally and love this restaurant, we have never had a bad meal here! The service is always friendly and the food just what we wanted!
Last week my experience there was totally excellent and opposite to the reviewer. Had the most amazing Chicken Liver starter. Rarely even like liver normally. Amazing Fillet steak starter. Fantastic chicken Biriani. Delicious Lamb curry with real tender lamb (not mutton). Typically Lahore style if you know it. Deep bespoke flavors, freshly cooked from scratch. Not the generic pre-prepared masala slop we are all used to. Lovely fresh Garlic Nan with plenty garlic. 2 good draugh Cobra beers. Lovely Kulfi and semolina desert. Watched the Tawa Taka food cooked full view of open plan kitchen whilst having a giggle with top Indian chefs. Had to be said it was better quality food than Akbars next door (our previous benchmark). Ps. Perhaps the reviewer got unlucky with the starters or maybe it was teething trouble on a bad day. I would love to know where the reviewer normally eats Indian food just to make comparison. My only advise to anyone with a palate is to try Khan Ba Ba and see for yourself.I cant wait to try it again!!!
If you're going to rant directly at the writer, at least spell her name right. Tsk.
what a crock of you know what. the reviewer is clearly friends with the owner of akbars. Podima Chicken and the lamb dishes are far better than any other meals on offer in town. Khan ba ba, eastzeast, akbars in that order. The reviewer deserves to eat at abduls because he clearly doesn't know the difference between good and bad. dildo.
"she" andy, she ;) I love my curries but I've not eaten here yet, shall give it a look see soon.
Can I just say: I wasn't involved in the writing of this article, and my opinions are not necessarily the same as this website's. toodle-pip
I got a take-away from this gaff.It's right next to Akbar's and Salt & Pepper (which I really like).It's cheaper than Akbar's but:*Curry was no longer hot when I got it home - I live 200 yards away, if that.*Poppadoms weren't that fresh.*Naan was in a normal paper bag, rather than a foil bag, meaning it too went cold quickly.*For a new place with such competition, you would think the staff could at least look reasonably pleased to see you.Were it the only one nearby, I'd give it another try for a sit down. But it's not.
Don't be hard on Abdul's... they do a good chicken kebab without any pretense.
Another new curry restaurant, crikey I'm in heaven!
I totally agree with Ben.We dined there last week had a fantastic meal and we will be going again very soon.
I completely disagree, we went here a couple of weeks ago and the food was incredible. I had a lamb dish which came on the bone and was probably one of the best Indian dishes I've ever had! Fairly subjective nonsense even for a review - hand up who cares about the pina colada waiter??? Complete filler
Your missing the point though Martin. If you want Abduls then you go to Abduls and get what you pay for. You would expect higher quality from this place surely. Abduls is great FAST FOOD.
The chicken kebab (everything on) at Abduls in Fallowfield was so good it very nearly led to me buying a house nearby.
My wife and I ate here on Saturday night after being told at Akbar's we'd have to wait 45 minutes for a table. I'm really glad we did, as the food at Khan Ba Ba was excellent, probably better than Akbar's. We'll definitely be going back soon.
Yea,I have to admit Khan ba ba is probably getting a rough deal,its neighbours seem to be taking all the headlines,even though its actually pretty average (Akbars)
We quite enjoyed our experience in Khans and we would recommend it,but dont you think that Manchester is looking for a new Indian food experience ,I am surprised no Asian entrepreneur has give it a go.
And please, I dont mean a pretentious expensive posers parlour.
Ive only been to khan ba bas once...the decor is nice, but the tables were so close together that I coudnt get out, the lady sitting on the table next our had to get up to let me out... I find the waiters there are quite cunning me and my friend orderd two straters at £3.50 each and the waiter said ' Oh I recommend you to try our specials...this one' the bloddy starter was £7.00 it was just a selection of kebabs...so we ordered one and shared it... it tasted nothing special at all!! but recommending the dearest menu I think is bang out of order...and the thing is he did exactly the same with the couple sitting on the table next to us... wonder how long hes gona keep using this tak tik for to increase sales??