Lal Bagh opened in 1990, and since then has been run by Abdul Bari and many other family members. Ideally located near Bushey train station and town centre, this restaurant attracts both locals who know well the history of the venture and newcomers seeking to experiment.
Our waiter Hassan was incredibly helpful and welcoming, making us feel comfortable right away. The restaurant is relatively small, which lent it a friendly and intimate feel. Dimly lit and traditionally decorated, it provided a pleasant setting for the spicy journey that lay ahead.
The Lal Bagh wine list was specially created to complement the Indian cuisine, and we noted recommendations on the menu itself as well as from our waiter. From the collection of red, white and rosé wines, we opted for the house white, which was a wonderful complement to everything we ordered.
The selection of appetisers includes Shish Kebab Khlyban, which is mildly spiced and reasonably priced - just £2.50. You can also choose from soups, mushrooms, or the lamb tikka, which in all its spicy sauce I relished. Overall, the appetisers are all soundly priced, ranging from £1.50 to £3.
Lal Bagh's main menu, although not extensive, consists of your traditional Indian dishes like kormas and vindaloos, plus a few Lal Bagh specialities. We opted for the more traditional meals. I chose chicken korma, which was appetising indeed, while my friend opted for chicken bhuna, which came in a thick, medium-spiced sauce with onions, green peppers, tomatoes and coriander. Both meals were priced £4.95 - very reasonable for the portions served.
The menu also lists rice, potato, and bread dishes, and if your favourite curry isn't on the menu, just ask and they'll cook it for you.
A buffet lunch - a spread of Indian cuisine priced £6.95 for adults and £3.95 for children - is available on Sundays.
Lal Bagh supports the local community with charity projects and many fundraising events. Wrist bands to help the homeless are sold to customers within the restaurant, and Lal Bagh's family of workers also help raise money for local schools and hospitals by holding their own events, assisting in campaigns such as drug awareness.
This is a family-run Indian venue built to suit everyone's taste.
