Saros, Bridgnorth : Shropshire Star:

Rating: **** “Get yourself down to Saros, in Moat Street. You won’t regret it.” I must have had a dozen people tell me that over the last few weeks, hot on the heels of reviews on other places to eat in Bridgnorth.

There always seems to be someone commenting on our food reviews. Some favourably . . . most not. But when the same name keeps cropping up, it’s probably time to give it a whirl.

My old squash mate Mel Chetter was the latest to bend my ear over just how good the Saros restaurant and takeaway is.

So, last Saturday, the wife and I paid it a visit.

I don’t think I’ve been in the place since Geoff Bristow had it as a fish and chip shop - and that’s going back a spell. Probably when I was still in the police in the mid 70s and I used to pick my tea up on a regular basis when I was on the afternoon shift.

We booked in to Saros on Saturday for 7.30pm and, believe me, you need to book. The restaurant is not too big. Intimate would be the most appropriate word. It caters for about 30 diners at one sitting and was very busy during our visit.

It has a clean and friendly atmosphere and an extensive menu. We were seated in the corner, next to a table of four who were just finishing their meal.

“Have you been before,” we were asked. “No, this is our first visit,” Angela replied.

“You won’t regret it. And you simply must try the ice cream.”

That’s another endorsement, then.

A pint of bitter and a cider kept us going while we studied the menu, informing us of the authentic Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine with a twist.

I can’t be considered an expert on Indian food but the staff were only too willing to help out, patiently explaining the dishes.

To start I chose Murgh Chat, priced at £3.75, and described as pieces of chicken in a tangy sauce with cucumber and tomatoes, garnished with coriander. Angela went for the lamb tikka, priced at £3.25.

Service was prompt and efficient and the starter was a first for me. The tangy sauce was very . . . well, tangy and got even tangier with each mouthful. One might say it had a hell of a kick.

I was impressed and began to think those folk pressing me to visit Saros might just be right.

Angela thoroughly enjoyed her starter as well. The evening was off to a fine start. For the main course Angela chose fish - no surprise there. She selected the King Prawn Malai at £9.95.

That’s marinated jumbo prawns cooked in a rich creamy sauce and accompanied with garlic.

I chose Roshouni Salmon. Another first for this old country boy. Portions of salmon, spiced and cooked in olive oil garlic and bay leaves at £7.95.

We also ordered a portion of special rice each, a huge garlic nan and a bottle of house white wine.

I didn’t know what to expect of the main course, I must admit. And I wondered exactly what I would be faced with and whether I would enjoy it.

Saros, Bridgnorth 2 It must be said that I’m a bit of a steak and chips bloke at heart and have never been overly adventurous.

I need not have worried. It was very good and the taste buds were telling me that we really ought to be doing this more often.

Angela is a lot more aware as far as Indian cuisine is concerned and she and daughter Sandra experiment at home with food that, to be honest, I never thought I would take to.

But I have to say I’m getting more of a taste for it. She could not fault her prawn dish and the only area where we really came unstuck was ordering two portions of special rice.

When we go back, and we have already booked, we will know that one portion between two of us will be ample.

Now for that ice cream. Saros has a selection of ice creams and I had the chocolatino - milk and plain chocolate ice cream with chocolate sauce.

Our fellow diner was right. It was as good as any ice cream I’ve had lately and better than most.

All in all our trip to Saros, although late in coming, turned out to be a four star experience. Saros also offers a take-away service with everything that’s available to the restaurant customer - but with a 15 per cent discount.

The restaurant opens from 6pm and booking is advisable. It can be found 100 yards up Moat Street, off the town centre.

By Tony Warner

ADDRESS:
Moat Street, Bridgnorth
Tell: 01746 762848
Web: www.sarostwist.co.uk
Email: sarostwist@hotmail.co.uk