Massala (Restaurant)

Best for: An evening away from the city (Surrey) , exquisitely interesting curries.

Great: Indian cuisine that will make you explode

When I was first told that I was going to Cobham to sample some kick-ass Indian food courtesy of Massala restaurant, I didn’t really know where it was. Consulting the boyfriend, he informed me that it was only half an hour away, in Surrey. Definitely worth the trip, I thought, and the lack of alcohol, as I would inevitably be the one driving.
 
Reaching Cobham in speedy fashion, it brings me great joy to be out of the city for the evening. The area is quiet and postcard perfect. We arrive early and nearly go into the take-away a few doors down by mistake. Entering the right premises, we see that we’re the first customers of the evening.

Earlier in the week I had the pleasure of attending Sheba on Brick Lane; quite a curry week for me. Sheba was a typical curry house: bright colours; slightly dingy; but full of charm. Massala, however, is a different kettle of fish. It is a sophisticated and well presented establishment and I’m pleased I wore a dress for the occasion. A t-shirt and jeans combo wouldn’t suit for such a polished restaurant.
 
The boyfriend peruses the menu, as he’s the expert on curry, whereas I am a mere novice, in his eyes. I ask if it varies from normal curry restaurants and he says it does. The menu mentions what region the dishes originate from; each is innovative and different. As poppadoms and chutneys turn up, served on a white china platter, the chef comes out to introduces himself. He explains that he will prepare a range of dishes for us, including his favourites and specialities. Wow, how wonderful. Even the boyfriend looks chuffed.
 
Slowly, more customers begin entering the restaurant. It’s a relief not to feel like we have the whole place doting on us.
 
The starters, designed to be shared, come out one at a time. The first is the Gilafiseek Lamb, minced and lightly spiced. The accompanying mint sauce calms down the heat a touch. We gobble it up quickly and try our best not to look like plebs, but the boyfriend fails, spilling sauce down his top and on to the table.

As soon as we’re finished with one starter, the next few arrive; Tandoori Paneer Khaas and Jhinga Merunisha. The latter is a huge juicy prawn of greatness, with delicate spices that are light on the palate. Thinking the starters finished, we sit back, exhale, and wonder how we’re going to make room for the mains, just moments before a small flat onion bhaji wings it way over to our table. We suck in our guts and reach for the forks. It’s light, crispy, and not in the least greasy. It’s the most interesting bhajj I’ve ever had. The boyfriend agrees, sipping on his glass of red.
 
With a small breathing gap, the curries are plonked down in pristine white crockery. We have four to take down and the boyfriend looks very determined. He normally powers through curries and takes no prisoners, so he sees this as a challenge. I cautiously try the Laal Maans, which is the hottest dish on the menu, and find the lamb to be beautifully tender, yet burn-the-tongue-off hot. The boyfriend laughs in the face of this curry and ploughs on happily. My preference, however, is the Monk Fish Malabar, which is quite hot but has a certain sweetness to it.
 
As the boyfriend mops up every last morsel with his naan bread, I sit back and relax. He finishes the wine and asks for a Cobra beer. I suspect he’s nearly drunk, but don’t question his state.
 
Just when we thought we could finally sit and digest our meal, two desserts appear at our table. I think I actually might explode and even the boyfriend looks at it with a twinge of pain in his eyes. I poke at the Gajar Jamun (curd cheese dumplings with syrup) and try a bit. The flavours are intense and it is a texture I am not familiar with. Having become acquainted, I devour it shamelessly.
 
Feeling really rather stuffed with top notch food, we waddle out of Massala and head for the car, luckily parked right outside. I place the boyfriend in the passenger seat and he says he’s going to have a quick nap. Immediately starts to snore, loudly. I drive away with the lasting impression that Cobham is a lovely place and is definitely worth the trek for exquisitely interesting curries....read more