Hello listeners. Here we are with an update in the blog section: http://swindonian.me/category/eating-drinking-coffee-etc/

It was back in October 2013 when I first posted about Rangoli - an Indian restaurant down on Groundwell Rd in Swindon.  That was my first visit to the place, I've been many times since and, indeed, have not been to another curry house in Swindon since - so great is my love! :-)

So the purpose of this post is to refresh my Rangoli postings as the place itself has been refreshed. The menu has been extended somewhat and the place has been redecorated and piffed up a bit with new tables and chairs.  I wouldn't go so far as to say it's now plush and cosy but it's definitely much less like a canteen than it was. And anyway, to heck with the decor - the food is the thing and in Rangoli the food really is the thing - being actually Indian food as opposed to the Bengali food that one usually gets in curry houses. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with Bengali food, it's perfectly tasty -  it's just that, it's just that. Not Indian. The Indian Soul Tree wine served in Rangoli is also a plus point - it's very quaffable, very palatable and very, very reasonable. What's not to like?

I was in on a Monday night in a party of six and it was notable I think that, in a fairly busy place, ours were the only non-Asian faces. I venture to suggest that, that speaks volumes about the food in itself.

Between us we had a veritable banquet consisting of about seven items off the starter menu to share between us, then our mains and two bowls of rice, two bottles of Soul Tree wine and 2/3 beers all of which averaged out at £20 per head. Jolly good value I feel. In Arnie’s immortal words: “I’ll be back.”

I very nearly opted for the Railway Curry – a dish with a history (see below) that is kinda cool to be on the menu in a town with such a rich railway history but in the end opted for Chicken Saagwalla a dish which, as its name implies, had lots of spinach in it and was an equally first class nosh.

Railway Curry:

“…..is a direct throw back to the days of the British Raj, when travelling by train was considered aristocratic. This very popular and slightly spicy dish was served in Railway Refreshment Rooms and on long distance trains, with Bread or Dinner Rolls. The curry was not too spicy keeping in mind the delicate palates of the British. It was also popular with the Railway staff who had to be on duty for long periods at a stretch.

The story goes that an English army officer found himself ravishingly hungry during his journey. He followed his nose to the kitchen car where spicy mutton curry was simmering. He was offered a taste and burnt his tongue because of the spices. The helpful cook reduced the heat with some coconut milk and served it up. Since then it has become a staple on all First Class Compartments of the train as First Class Railway Mutton Curry.”