A restaurant in Rochdale has scooped the top prize at the ‘Curry Oscars’ to be named the best curry house in the UK.
The prestigious awards reveal the best of UK Asian cuisine from thousands of nominations, and celebrate the UK’s Curry Industry.
Categories include National Takeaway of the Year, Fine Dine Restaurant of the Year, and Street Food of the Year, as well as awards recognising the best in Korean, Japanese and Sri Lankan cooking.
But this year the big prize – the Champion of Champions Award – went to The Milnrow Balti Restaurant in Rochdale.
The Dale Street restaurant is loved for its authentic Indian cooking, and its neon-soaked restaurant space in the heart of the town.
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It’s an extra victory for The Milnrow Balti Restaurant, which last year received the Regional Restaurant of the Year award for the North West of England.
Speaking on the red carpet at the awards ceremony in London, which is nicknamed the ‘Curry Oscars’, a spokesperson for the restaurant said: “This is massive for us.
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“You know, to win an award today, but to win this one over everything else – it just goes to show that hard work and dedication that everyone’s doing, and how much the customers enjoy coming to the Milnrow Balti, it just goes to show the dedication that all the staff put in there. We’re really delighted and over the moon with this one.”
The restaurant has shared a heartfelt message today after receiving the huge award last night, thanking their ‘curry-loving community’ for their ‘unwavering support’.
They wrote: “This award belongs to each and every one of you, our amazing customers. It is a testament to your trust, loyalty, and love for our curry creations.
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The Milnrow Balti Restaurant in Rochdale has been named the best curry house in the UK. Credit: FacebookThe Milnrow Balti Restaurant in Rochdale has been named the best curry house in the UK. Credit: Facebook
“Your continued patronage and recommendations to family and friends have contributed significantly to our success.”
The Milnrow Balti Restaurant also said: “We are immensely proud of the hard work and dedication of our entire team, who consistently strive to bring you the best curry experience you deserve.
“From our talented chefs who skillfully craft each dish with passion, to our attentive staff who ensure your dining experience is exceptional, every member of our team goes above and beyond to make your visit memorable.”
Inside One Eight Six as Manchester cocktail bar finally reopens two years after devastating New Year’s Eve fire
Daisy Jackson
One Eight Six, the Manchester cocktail bar that was destroyed in a blaze on New Year’s Eve, is finally ready to reopen.
The stunning subterranean bar and live music venue has been closed since the very early hours of 2022, when a fire broke out shortly after the midnight countdown.
Terrifying CCTV footage at the time showed balloons across the ceiling catching fire and around 170 people fleeing the blaze.
It’s since been confirmed that the cause of the fire was real pine Christmas trees that were fastened to the ceiling, set alight by celebratory sparklers inside the bar.
Ever since that fateful night, One Eight Six has been quiet – until now.
The popular Deansgate bar is finally ready to quite literally rise from the ashes, having undergone an extensive refurbishment.
Its interior was completely destroyed in the New Year’s Eve fire, but has been reborn better than ever before.
Customers will again enter the bar through a barbershop at street level, with in incredible twisting neon light feature hanging from the ceiling.
The stage is set for more late-night live music at One Eight Six in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupCustomers enter One Eight six through a barbershop on Deansgate. Credit: The Manc GroupOne Eight Six’s original interior was destroyed in the New Year’s Eve fire. Credit: The Manc Group
Then after heading down the stairs you’ll find yourself in an art deco speakeasy, with the stage set for live music until the early hours.
Huge curved velvet booths in shades of pink and red will provide guests with a luxurious night out setting.
One Eight Six has installed opulent black marble floors and glowing light arches too – not to mention a giant ‘One Eight Six’ sign in mirrors.
Walls and pillars have been covered in even more mirrors to reflect the huge mirror ball and stage lights.
Founder Dean Mac said: “After nearly two years, we are finally allowed to be back on our feet giving the people of Manchester what they have been waiting so patiently for.
“Thank you again for sticking with us and supporting our journey this far. This new chapter of ONE EIGHT SIX will be better than ever. Same vibe. Same location. Just a whole lot sexier…”
It’s all looking pretty luxurious – just like before.
One Eight Six will officially open its doors this weekend on Deansgate, with bookings live here.
Namaste Nepal – West Didsbury favourite reveals new look and even more phenomenal curry
Daisy Jackson
Namaste Nepal, one of the best restaurants in West Didsbury – if not all of south Manchester – has undergone a big refurbishment, with new menu dishes to boot.
The family-run business has become a local institution over the last 15 or so years, famed for its comforting, authentic Nepalese food.
For the first time since it opened, Namaste Nepal has had a full-scale cosmetic transformation to become a modern – but still cosy and welcoming – neighbourhood restaurant.
You’ll now find green suede, gold, and marble, in amongst the Nepalese artefacts on the shelves.
Namaste Nepal is known for its menu of curries and street food which takes influences from India and China.
One of its hero dishes is its handmade Momocha dumplings, which are stuffed with lamb mince and topped with a classic peppery, spicy sauce.
There are platters of mixed shashlik, the meat slow-cooked in the tandoor oven; fiery traditional Chwela; and Kantipur Methi, where Tandoori chicken and minced lamb are mixed together.
Curries range from the mouth-numbingly spicy (looking at you, vegetable naaga) to a crowd-pleasing Makhan Chara (aka butter chicken).
There’s plenty to keep vegetarians well-fed, from saag paneer to aloo gobi.
Namaste Nepal has been spicing up our lives since 2005 and is well and truly standing the test of time.
Daisy Jackson -
9th October 2023 
