Sponsored by
Pritiraj, Queen's Parade, Seaburn, Sunderland
With a plethora of Italian restaurants dotted along Sunderland's sea front, it's easy to forget that there is a wider choice of culinary dishes available.
But neighbouring restaurants Shagorika and Pritiraj are doing a sterling job of fighting for Indian food's corner.
I'm a latecomer to the curry phenomenon that's swept Britain, and it's only in the past year that I've ventured through the doors of my first Indian restaurant.
As such, words like vindaloo and madras still strike my tastebuds with fear.
But, as I've learnt, there's a lot more to Indian food than heat and spice.
Pritiraj is perfect for fledgeling curry house-goers like myself as the staff are more than happy to advise you on what will best please your palate.
Poppadoms and dips were enough to satisfy my starter appetite, but not so with my boyfriend John – a seasoned curry diner.
He chose chicken tikka to start, which is more than reasonable at 2.50 for succulent pieces of chicken, marinaded in a rich sauce and cooked in a tandoori oven.
There's an extensive menu of dishes to choose from, which are also offered as a takeaway option.
I went for a Prawn Biryani, basmati rice and mixture of mild spices, served with a special curry sauce.
I paid an extra 2 for the king prawn option, bringing the cost of the dish to 8.45.
With prawns the size of small satsumas and a dish that incorporated a subtle blend of mouthwatering flavours, it was well worth the extra pennies.
John's choice was a more fiery affair. He chose the chicken madras curry, which owes its rich flavour to a truckload of spices.
With rice and a garlic naan bread, his meal came to 9.
The food is billed as contemporary cuisine and the interior follows suit, with modern lighting and sleek fittings.
The rich royal blue decor of the restaurant is a tasteful affair and is only outshone by the cracking view of Sunderland's coastline.
It's a case of Priti by name, pretty by nature for this little gem of a curry house that's as easy on the eye as it is on the tastebuds.
KATY WHEELER
Email to a friend
Print this page- Sunderland striker Campbell fresh to face Middlesbrough
- Sunderland’s astonishing rise even surprising Martin O’Neill
- Middlesbrough 1 Sunderland 2 (aet): O’Neill relieved to avoid shoot-out lottery as Sessegnon wins it
- Martin O’Neill defends David Meyler after criticism from Tony Pulis
- Shearer snubs Stadium of Light
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
