Swindon reporter tries curry for first time in his life

Whether it be Italian, Mexican or Chinese food, there isn’t many restaurants that I would not visit or dishes that I will not try.

Yet one type of cuisine that I have avoided throughout my 23 years of life is Indian food, finding myself being in the precarious position of having not eaten a proper curry ever before.

One bad experience with a Korma at the age of seven and three quarters is evidently enough to put me off for the best part of two decades but recently I decided it was time for a change.

The Khyber is Wiltshire's oldest Indian restaurant. (Image: Newsquest)

For context, the Adver’s Christmas party, my first since moving to Swindon in November of last year, was held in an Indian restaurant and my fellow colleagues were shocked and deeply disturbed to hear me order steak, chips and, worst of all, some ketchup.

It was at this point I realised that perhaps it was time to face my adversary and tackle a well-made curry.

The chosen location was The Khyber on Victoria Road - what better place is there to have your curry than Wiltshire’s oldest Indian restaurant?

I was welcomed into the restaurant by the owner Sadik Ali and before I knew it, I was seated and ready for my trial of courage.

The first dish consisted of poppadoms and accompanying condiments. (Image: Newsquest)

The initial plate consisted of a couple of poppadoms, accompanied by various condiments including yoghurt and mango chutney.

This all cleansed the palette perfectly and set me up for my starter of spicy chicken wings, which arrived promptly, sizzling in the skillet.

Green chillis were mixed in with the meat and onions and the waiter told me to stay cautious, which my cowardly self did.

Avoiding my spicy nemeses, I enjoyed the starter and was both excited and nervous of what was still yet to come.

Ed was fully satisfied with poppadoms but was anxious about the upcoming main course. (Image: Newsquest)

Then it was time for my moment of truth. Judgement day. The main course.

Yet with The Khyber’s vast choice of curries on offer, I found myself contemplating for quite some time as to what my fate that night would entail.

Despite my colleagues calls earlier in the afternoon for me to try something milder, I decided to literally spice things up and go with the chicken jalfrezi with a side of naan bread.

I was warned by the waiter that my archvillain, the green chillies, were to make an appearance in this course but I ignored the safety warnings and attacked on sight when it appeared in front of me.

The chicken wings starter was also very well received barring the suspect green chillies. (Image: Newsquest)

The chicken was succulent and the sauce was just the right temperature. I was pleasantly surprised, rueing the twenty odd years spent without curry.

Each mouthful got better but my fork started to target the dreaded green chillies too and this, even by my spicy standards, was a step too far.

The curry was fantastic but the spicy green chillies got the better of Ed on the night. (Image: Newsquest)

Suddenly I found myself violently reaching for my coke to extinguish the flames. But it was too late as my throat begin to feel like the firepit at a summer barbecue. The Trammps’ ‘Disco Inferno’ came to mind.

After thanking Sadik and leaving the restaurant, I had learned two important lessons of life.

Firstly that you should always try new things no mater your experiences in the past and, even more importantly, when someone warns you about the chillies, listen to them!