What better way to celebrate National Curry Week than with a trip to Myristica for a real taste of India in the heart of Bristol? This isn’t your usual curry house; it is more of a culinary journey through authentic regional dishes, appealingly presented, and served in an understated, elegant setting.
We went along for lunch on Monday and were treated to a sumptuous feast, starting with the classic appetiser of poppadoms and pickles but presented as crisp plain and black-pepper curls interspersed with colourful puffed-rice stars. Our host recommended the prawn and scallop curry and I was glad I took him up on the recommendation; the scallops were huge and wonderfully tender, while the hot and sour curry sauce was perfectly balanced by our sweet Peshwari naan. Thom’s Tawa Ki lamb was the perfect blend of richness, spiciness and flavour, and was, in his own words – and this is high praise from a curry-loving foodie – the best curry he’d ever tasted. As it was a working day, we resisted the great range of wines – including four Indian vintages – even though they’re available by the glass, and opted for sparkling water, but we weren’t able to turn down the delectable homemade desserts – a refreshingly tangy apple sorbet, fresh pineapple rings glazed with cinnamon and honey, and subtly spiced pistachio and saffron ice creams.
For National Curry Week, Myristica is doing a different special dish each day, with seafood on Monday, lamb shank on Tuesday, and other delights to be decided as the week goes on. They continue to do their popular tiffin boxes at only £5.95, with 50p back if you return the box, and will shortly be introducing a new lunchtime deal – a thali platter for only £7.95.
Indeed, Myristica’s owner believes in evolving constantly and in keeping things fresh, so all the chefs come from India, and new talent is brought in regularly to ensure the restaurant keeps up with the latest Indian trends. Myristica won a British Curry Award in both 2013 and 2014, and they and are working with the organisation, campaigning to make it easier for Indian chefs to bring their skills to the UK; something that has been made increasingly difficult over the last few years and to the detriment of the industry.
They only moved into their new premises on Park Street four months ago, but already they’re in the process of creating a private function room upstairs, to be open in time for Christmas, with space for another 60 to 70 covers on top of the existing capacity for 70. A festive menu will be coming out in December, and in January they’ll be holding a biryani festival, introducing a wide range of biryani dishes from different regions of India. If you’re looking for a really special Christmas present, birthday party or hen do, consider booking an Indian cookery class. They’re available for up to 10 people at a time and you can buy vouchers online, but make sure you plan ahead, as these events are hugely popular and are already booked up until February.
