London has a number of streets which are famed for their curries
and Brick Lane in the inner East End of London is one of them. Walking
down the street on a Sunday or weekday evening, one is accosted by
hawkers promoting their goods while, and this is a rather pleasant
contribution, being surrounded by some of the hippest, best dressed
young things walking on two legs in Europe. Brick Lane is a street you
can dress up when you visit, in the knowledge that probably nothing
you own will be edgier than the clothes others will be parading. I
suspect that some of the looks are backed up by talent too, which
makes people watching even more good fun.

As a day out Brick Lane worth the price of admission (it's a road
so even better, it's free!)

Yet, one problem is that as good as the people on the street are
looking, the curry houses are worthless. On a Sunday the various
markets are in full swing with a multitude of food options to eat
using paper plates while standing in the street (or sitting down on
the pavement) but for the rest of the time (or if standing in the rain
isn't your thing) you want a good cheap option.

Hence my regular frequenting of Al-Badar. It is essentially a fiver
for two Roti and a bowl of goo. If fried chicken or hamburgers are
more your thing then they are available but with the curries as good
as they are I have never tried them.

Most of the clients eat their curries with their fingers using the
roti in the traditional way. I am now getting the hang of it, but it
is harder than it looks. The roti are cooked to order (these are like
naan except that they are not as oily and are more wholesome) and thus
come to the table in their plastic basket very hot from the tandoor.
This makes them tricky to use to gather the curry from your bowl for a
few minutes but this may be the burden of eating in a small venue. You
can ask for more roti: from your seat you ask the man behind the
counter; he looks over his shoulder and asks the man in the kitchen:
it really isn't a big venue.

All meals come with a soft drink (which you can decline). The big
posters on the wall indicate that alcohol cannot be consumed on the
premises. I don't think they tolerate drunks either. I haven't put it
to the test. One of London's biggest Mosques is next door which might
give some clues as to why.

People I have worked with who come from the northern Indian states
rave about the food - it falls between home cooked and ordinary shop
food from near their original homes. It is a bit too oily for home
cooked but the flavours are rich without being too hot. It is all
about the spices, cheeses and other ingredients. I have only eaten a
meat dish here once. The vegetarian dishes are fabulous.
Unfortunately, for strict Indian (Hindu) style vegetarians, they do
use the same serving spoons in the meat and vegetable curries.
However, for Muslims all is good.

Once you have finished, there is a spot to wash your hands (my
Indian friends never need to bother because they know how to eat with
fingers). Paying is done at the end when the man behind the counter
gives you a number which corresponds to the amount of cash he expects
you to tender. I presume people have tried to pull swifties and
pretend they ordered cheap things, especially when it gets
outrageously busy on Friday lunchtimes. Personally I don't think I
would want to try it.

Once you are back on the street, you leave your little corner of
plastic bench seats and cheap shop decoration and return into the
delights of London fashion worn by London's most fashionable. Chalk
and cheese: but both worth the trip.

Getting There: Like Near the big Mosque on London's Brick Lane
.

Who should eat there: Locals, a few suits i.e. sober people.

Dining Style very cheerful Pakistani curries.

Price: £5

Quality: Best in the area.

Would I go Back: Every few weeks

Phoenician Trader

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