Popadoms Indian Restaurant Farnborough

I love some of those old Christmas songs, my favourites are “Driving Home for Christmas” by Chris Rea, “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole, (you know, chestnuts roasting on an open fire….) and the Carpenters “Merry Christmas Darling”. I never get tired of hearing those ones.

Of course there are so many songs that irritate me no end and no doubt you feel the same. I tried not to play Christmas music in the restaurant until people started to ask “what no Christmas music?, then you know its time to get the old Xmas cds out, of course there is the odd idiot  person who last week asked Dil (our Manager) why weren’t playing any Indian music.

But then he was the guy who asked for a Chicken Tikka Massala with no cream, no coconut and make it vindaloo hot……You can’t please all the people all the time.

I can’t wait for New Year’s Eve, I mentioned on my mailouts, that were fully booked by 1st December and I must admit I still get calls asking if there are any seats left and I now have a waiting list…What can you do… We need a bigger place I hear you say… Well sometimes, but don’t get me started on that.

Well I hope that you have a great Christmas, I hope that you have picked up your VIP card and can use it frequently next year and I also hope that we have served you well in 2007 and if for any reason you feel we haven’t, then let me apologise unreservedly and I hope that you will let us make amends in 2008

After all its Christmas, a time to renew friendships, fill our cup with wine and our souls with love, understanding and peace. And not forgetting a time to give….

Take Care.

Sean

The guys from Cobra invited myself and Lisa to Christmas party, well actually it was a “festival” party not just Christmas, because there was a huge number of people, mostly Asian and of course round about this time of year they are celebrating Dewali and Eid.

The guy who started Cobra, Karan Bilamori, really is a success story and is highly regarded as one of the top Asian businessmen in the UK. He’s now one of the richest Asians here as well.

He started selling Cobra from the back of his car to restaurants and now of course you can see Cobra in supermarkets and in many countries around the world, even in India. In fact India is one of its most emerging and highly profitable markets.

Anyway enough about Cobra, the food at the event, which was held in a hotel near Heathrow airport was supplied by a restaurant from Southall called…….. The owner was there and much like me when I’m in our restuarant was fussing over things making sure things are presented properly and well and I thought, do I look as stressed as him!!

People often say to me I looked stressed when we get busy and I guess I do, but that is only because I like things to go well and our customers to get good attention and service.

I must say that the food was good, we had sheekh kebabs, salmon tikka, spicy mashed potato in batter, (look out for those soon), followed by lamb curry, chicken curry, rice, dall, curried cheese (paneer) and naan bread. They did very well to serve 500 people in one hit. One of the guest on our table, the owner of a local restaurant in Fleet, (nameless) kept on ordering more lamb and chicken curry for us and I left the table feeling like I’d eaten for two that night.

The food, entertainment and the host were all excellent. Even the beer was good, although the new beer from them with apples is not such a good idea.

That will be one of the few parties that I will go to this Christmas, so I made the most of it and Lisa drove!!!!

It couldn’t be better.

Sean