Food & Drink
New Indian allure at Azzure |
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Italian name, Indian cuisine – what exactly is the new incarnation of Altrincham’s Azzuré all about? Tucked away in a dainty little niche off the main high street, the Goose Green area of Altrincham is a destination in its own right for those in the know. Boutique shops, bars and restaurants nestle around a pretty little square that has a quaint, sleepy feel during the day and livens up at night courtesy of a clientele looking for food, drink and the happy side of life. Until a few months ago, it was Gallic and Mediterranean menus that dominated this European-style quarter; however, Italy has now given way to India as a new curry house is spicing up the nightlife of the square. Previously an Italian eaterie, Azzuré has kept its original name but changed everything else in its transformation into an elegant Indian bar and restaurant. Keeping the original name at first glance seems to be merely a marketing ploy, but a closer look reveals the new owner’s desire to create an Indian restaurant that offers something a little different. The venue itself is split over two levels: a cosy, yet sophisticated bar downstairs and cheerful, contemporary restaurant upstairs. The surprisingly spacious dining area hints at the venue’s suitability for private and professional functions (the success of which, staff and friends of our magazine can already vouch for, thanks to our own recent party at Azzuré). Indeed, plenty more parties are already in the planning stages: a Bollywood Night with appropriately themed DJ, dancing and dinner is on the cards on Saturday 5 December. This costs £19.95, with £5 going directly to the breast cancer charity, Genesis Appeal. Christmas bookings are proving popular throughout December. Dusky oranges and warm saffrons dominate the upstairs décor, echoing the lively colours and flavours of the food. Downstairs offers a softer atmosphere, with spotlights, candles and blue back-lighting over the dark wood bar setting a sultry mood among the rounded leather seats. Predominantly the place to relax over a few drinks, the downstairs bar can sometimes double as a dining space on quieter evenings. A comprehensive menu offers plenty of the usual favourites, from kormas to vindaloos, along with more unusual dishes in the specialities section, such as rangeela, kushbu, biraan and bazigaar. There are plenty of fish options, from tiger prawns to sea bass; vegetarians are catered for widely outside the usual side orders section, and there’s a good selection of tandoori dishes. All dishes are prettily presented on crisp white plates with meticulous attention to detail. Try a mixed vegetable starter (£3.10) for a tempting threesome of soft aloo kebab encased in a crumb coating, a crispy onion bhaji with undertones of slightly caramelised sweetness in the fresh fried vegetable, and a traditional tasty vegetable samosa. Or the grilled tiger prawns for £3.75, succulent seafood cooked to the ideal texture, pleasantly firm but juicy, accompanied by a medley of chopped fried onions and red peppers, slightly sweet with a spicy kick. For mains, the chicken bazigaar (£7.45) is one to try: marinated chicken fillets cooked on a special griddle called a tawa, covered in a rich, tomato-based sauce and finished with plenty of freshly chopped coriander and a liberal sprinkling of sesame seeds. Spiced according to your individual taste, the heat of the spices never overpowers the subtle flavours of the dish, as some chilli-powder-packed curries can do. More traditional mains are similarly well executed: the chicken biriani (£5.95) is wonderfully fragrant and aromatic, with flavours that tickle the senses before a forkful even arrives in your mouth. Its accompanying curry sauce is packed with vegetables and can also be spiced according to your preferred taste. Desserts are varied too, if rather less traditional, including cheesecake, carrot cake and strawberries and cream, alongside various flavours of ice cream and coffee selections. Verdict: Takeaway delivery service and online ordering are both available – see the website for details: www.azzurerestaurant.co.uk Azzuré, 5–7 Goose Green, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 1DW |
