Portsmouth curry houses cook up a storm in annual awards

Readers have been voting in their thousands in The News’ Curry House of the Year Awards to decide the best Indian eatery.

And, after all the votes were tallied, Buckland’s The Gandhi Restaurant was hailed as most popular curry house out of the 58 in the running for The News’ latest readers’ choice award.

And it was a double joy for Gandhi’s owner, Ruman Karim, whose other restaurant, Bombay Bay, in Fort Cumberland Road, Southsea, took third.

The Gandhi was established by Ruman’s father in 1979 and has been popular with curry-lovers ever since.

Ruman was overwhelmed by the restaurants’ success and said: ‘It means so much to us. We’re very happy and honoured to receive this award.

‘We feel excited and I feel it’s well-deserved because we try our best to give the best service to all our customers.

‘That’s something we have prided ourselves on for the past 38 years.

‘This hasn’t come by accident, it’s come through a lot of hard work.’

Iqbal Miah runs The Shalimar, in Hambledon Parade, Waterlooville, with brother Iraque and came runner-up.

He was thrilled by the accolade and said it was a testament to the hard work and effort put in by all his staff.

‘It feels very good and very exciting. I think it’s wonderful,’ he said.

The Shalimar has been in Waterlooville for more than 20 years.

Iqbal prides himself in the quality of service offered to customers.

And even though the curry house has been a popular fixture for two decades, he still aims to keep things fresh.

As well as all the traditional favourites, the restaurant gives customers the chance to sample from an ever-changing weekly or seasonal menu, with unique additions often added for brief periods.

‘Some of our customers love to explore,’ added Iqbal. ‘So we give them the opportunity to try something new.’

The News’ editor Mark Waldron was delighted by the awards. He said: ‘This has been a fantastic way to celebrate the hard-working businesses from across the Portsmouth area.

‘It’s been a close competition but our readers have spoken and I’d like to praise them for taking part.’