While I agree to a certain extent with what was said, and I do believe Mumtaz is up there with that, as when I went there, the curry was no better (maybe go as far as saying "not as good") as the likes of International, Punjab etc.

However I do believe Akbars is different. If you ignore the lighting, bar, fancy waiters etc., the best two curries I've ever had, were at Akbars. Better than any I've had at any of the other curry houses, and that had absolutely nothing to do with anything other than the taste of the food.

It's certainly not my frequent curry house (that would be the International, where I'll probably pop tonight!), but as far as the best curry I've had from a pure taste point of view, it is Akbars.

I agree, too many people think places like that are the best simply because of non food related reasons, but I can't hide away from the fact they have still done the best curry I've had (and it is as good every time I've ordered it). And I've been to a lot of curry houses in the last 10 years.

I couldn't say about the Aagrah and other ones as I've not been to them.

Just because a place is "whitey" though, shouldn't bias you on the food being top quality.

I'd go along with all that Dilligaf.

I think the Aagrah mainly relies upon reputation as it was one of the first generation of "whitey" curry houses. It has however been left way behind.

Zouk's at the top of Leeds Rd good for breakfasts

I think places like Aagrah, Akbars & Shah Jehan become victims of their own success. People here were raving about the latter 2 before they won their awards when they were relatively small places; Shah Jehan I think still has the little place on Manchester Road. As they were not on my usual route i never called there before they expanded. I've been to Akbars 3 times but only eaten once; we got fed up of waiting behind the whitey lager crowd at the bar, despite reserving a table. The food was ok but not memorable. Shah Jehan took over the excellent & underrated Eastern Delight, but did smack of that empire subservience, the food being good though.
The original Aagrah in Shipley I went to a few times on works do's & enjoyed it every time. Since it has moved & expanded I've been on a few business lunches with suits who think buffet food is the real deal. The food was average at best, but I wasn't paying. I've also been on evenings on do's & with other couples & it has ranged from excellent to poor. Given the choice i wouldn't go again. I'd rather go to the local Shama in Bingley (there's also one in Shipley which I've not tried). Though there is a bar of sorts & the waiters are dressed up there is no element of sycophancy, the waiters call you mate & you can watch the food being prepared in front of you if you get a take away.

That's a big selling point. Any restaurant that makes feel like Colonel Blimp doesn't get my business.

I started off many years ago at places like the Karachi the Eastern,the sweet centre lumb lane and one just off manchester road that i cant remember the name of, almost always after a skinfull and always enjoying every visit.....later in life with family in tow we have tried the mumtaz,s and aargrah and the safron type eateries and TBH they are ok, as Puig-Aubert stated earlier in the post for special occasions or works outings ect ect...the food is usually good and authentic...but if i ask the wife and daughter where they want to go i get....

1st Samarkand.....Heckmondwike.
2nd Sweet Centre lumb lane.
3rd Karachi.

I think mainly this is due to the fact if we go out to eat we, eat and leave, we dont go to make a night of it, unless it is an "occasion".I think this is the point.....Its like having a take-away but eating it in....

Incidentally, I went to the International last night and Mr Salty was cheffing.

I wish they'd sack him.

Get your blood pressure checked.

Mind you, if we get a sudden cold snap you'll probably not freeze.

Question for the 'more experienced' amongst you. I studied in Bradford 85-89 and was wondering if 'The Shimla' or 'The Rose of Kashmir' still existed on Gt Horton Rd near The Shearbridge Pub ? Kept me alive for 4 years they did. Also glad to read The Fighting Cock still revered.

The Shimla's still there but I don't know of a Rose of Kashmir. There's a Kashmir nearby, kinda, but it ain't on Gt Horton Road.

The pub ain't there anymore either btw. It was bought by a curry chain, I forget which, several years ago and has been left untouched with a sign on the side saying they'll be opening soon ever since.