We’ve tried a lot of Indian restaurants around Greater Manchester in our time, especially in this very lucky line of work we find ourselves in, but very few meals have compared to the feast the fine folks at Asha’s served up when we tried their new ‘Live Like a Maharaja’ menu.
This limited-time-only offering from the much-loved Manchester restaurant, bar and globally renowned Indian franchise is inspired by the royal cuisine of Rajasthan and it certainly lived up to that billing on our visit.
Located just below the boutique hotel, Forty Seven, Asha’s boasts seven sites worldwide including their location here in the city centre and has regularly attracted glowing reviews and famous faces in equal measure as their reputation has grown.
Countless celebrities such as Heston Blumenthal, Amir Khan, The Rolling Stones; Priyanka Chopra and Tom Cruise have eaten at Asha’s since it was first founded back in 2002 and, more recently, Travis and The Killers stopped into the Peter Street site on their trips to Manchester.
With that in mind, it’s fair to say our hopes were pretty high. They didn’t let us down – not one bit.
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There’s no better way to start a meal, is there?Credit: The Manc Eats
From the moment you walk into the luxurious entrance of Asha’s Manchester, you’re immediately met with a sense that you’re not just here for a meal but something special; from the warm welcome to the cosy but classy and stylish surroundings, we should have guessed we were in for a little something extra.
Namesake and founder, Asha Bhosle, deep-dived into how she came up with the menu through memories of her early childhood, where she spent years travelling around with her father’s theatre company.
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“The company all had food together”, she explained, “with my father presiding at the head of the table. I enjoyed watching the joy on the diners’ faces as they savoured tasty delights… Over the years, I attempted to learn the diversity of Indian food, which changes from region to region. India is the land of countless religions, cultures, languages, dialects and taste buds.”
But we won’t dilly dally around the dressings up for too long – we can’t lie: the thing that bowled us over the most was the pure indulgence of the spread laid out before us as we sipped on two delicately balanced and refreshing cocktails with just a hint of the South Asian spices we were about to sample.
We were fortunate enough to get to try the whole menu and we’re not exaggerating when we tell you these were some of the most plentiful, flavour-packed and beautifully presented plates we’ve had at a curry house in a long while.
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Each dish had big notes that you could discern from the next; the gravy base for every sauce was as thick and creamy as the last, but with the first mouthful of each you could instantly tell how the profile of, say, the rich chicken Jodphuri was entirely different from the lighter, more aromatic prawn Jaisamandi.
A ridiculous amount of punch with every bite.
We spent most of the meal trying to decide what we preferred most and it was genuinely overwhelming at times with the embarrassment of Rajasthani riches before us that we couldn’t help going back for more of. Even the rice options were so fragrant we kept grabbing another spoonful just for the sake of it.
And then there were sides and meat dishes that accompanied the curries: the Royal tandoori chicken, the larger Rampuri chicken biryani for sharing (complete with dried fruits, lentils, whole eggs and all), the frankly addictive almond patty battles, and not forgetting the saffron-stained tail-on Jaipuri prawns.
The Jungli maas was certainly the most fiery item on the menu, with some genuine heat going on amidst the slow-cooked pieces of lamb and spicy sauce, but we have to say that it was another lamb dish that proved to be the ultimate showstopper: the parda biryani.
Comfortably up there not just with the best biryanis but the best dishes we’ve ever had at an Indian restaurant full-stop, if this menu is supposed to be fit for a king or a queen, then this is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown.
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From the sheer pageantry of lifting back the dough lid to reveal the steaming gold pot of succulent meat, spices, yoghurt and fluffy basmati rice, to peeling off a piece of that crust kissed with the perfect amount of char and caramelised sugars that made for a perfect mini-flatbread wrap, it was exquisite.
A mouthful so good we couldn’t include the video due to NSFW noises.
Our mouths are genuinely watering just reliving what we’re now calling a culinary core memory and though the whole grand banquet may have been designed for India’s bygone royalty and their endless stomachs, even trying one of the dishes with a side or two would leave you beyond full and content.
ButAsha’s ‘Live Like a Maharaja’ menu isn’t just about serving up very good food, it’s a whole experience where the description of the background, herb and spice blends, as well as the all-round attention to detail, is just as much a part of your meal as the eating is.
Even the cookware and crockery were specially crafted not just for this restaurant but for this menu only, designed, burnished and maintained to the highest standard as only a Maharaja or Maharani would expect. We’d happily eat all of this out of a takeaway box but getting the full treatment was a real treat.
Asha’s has created seven truly divine dishes to be served up in the most decadent manner with the Maharaja menu and you won’t be disappointed whatever you decide to order, but this special selection of Rajasthani gems is only available for a limited time only, so we urge you to try it while you can.
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As the lady herself puts it: “The menu is inspired by the offerings of great chefs that I have met and I sincerely hope that you, your family and friends share in my family secrets and enjoy the recipes of my heart.” You can enjoy ‘Live Like a Maharaja’ now – bookings are advised.
Kane Funeral Services – the award-winning Greater Manchester business offering fitting farewells from just £1250
The Manc
No one wants to have to think about funerals – whether for themselves or their loved ones – but when the time does come, you want to make sure it’s the most fitting and respectful farewell possible.
This Greater Manchester-based independent funeral service is the fastest-growing in the UK, and has gained a solid reputation for providing exceptional care and support to families during the darkest of times.
The business recently scooped a Quality Business Award, thanks to an overall score exceeding 95% across categories including service, reputation and satisfaction.
Kane Funeral Services has branches across the region, in Burnage, Brinnington, Newton Heath, Poynton, Salford, Stockport and Wythenshawe, each one perfectly positioned to create healing moments after loss.
These truly independent funeral directors offer everything from affordable, stress-free ‘direct to crematorium’ services to more elaborate, personalised funerals.
With the direct to crematorium service, starting from just £1250, you can strip away all the stress and overwhelming decisions involved in planning a funeral, while still honouring your loved ones with dignity and respect.
Kane Funeral Services also has a full fleet of funeral cars, with three hearses and seven luxurious and elegant limousines.
Recognising that the journey to and from a funeral can be a big part of the final farewell, these limos offer families a serene and private space to comfort one another.
Credit: Unsplash, Dan Meyers
The local business promises three major benefits – simplicity, transparency and compassion.
Kane Funeral Services says: “We believe in shouldering the responsibility of presenting you with the widest range of products and services available, ensuring that you have the freedom to make informed decisions.
“We understand the importance of financial considerations, and therefore, we encourage our clients to inquire about costs at every stage of the process.
“With us, you can expect a seamless and personalized funeral experience that honors the life and legacy of your loved ones. We are here to guide and support you every step of the way, providing comfort, empathy, and respect throughout the entire funeral journey.”
Find out more and get in touch with Kane Funeral Services HERE.
Where to drink game-changing non-alcoholic aperitivo Botivo in Greater Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Whether it’s Dry January, a hangover-free night out, or total sobriety, there are a lot of options for non-alcoholic drinking these days.
But they don’t come much better than Botivo, a game-changing aperitivo that’s 0% alcohol but 100% tasty.
This delicious small-batch drink has been carefully crafted with just as much attention as you’d put into an alcoholic cocktail, from the hand-picked thyme leaves to the bottles hand-dipped in a buttercup yellow wax.
Founder Sam Paget Steavenson said: “I wanted to bring the true craft and depth of flavour we all see in the alcohol category, to the non alc category. This meant using real ingredients, no flavourings and low intervention techniques.”
The result is Botivo, a bittersweet, citrusy, herbal drink that can be added into summer drinks, winter warmers, after-work concoctions and just about anything else you can think of.
And if you do love an alcoholic drink, Botivo is still a great addition to your boozy cocktails.
It’s popping up on shelves right across Greater Manchester – here are 10 places you can drink Botivo locally.
Reserve Wines – Didsbury
Reserve Wines in DidsburyReserve Wines in Didsbury
This fantastic local wine bar and bottle shop is one of the best spots in Manchester to get your hands on rare and unusual drinks – and also, Botivo.
The Didsbury institution serves theirs simply with soda and a delicious kick of ginger, or with blueberry and ginger kombucha.
Tawny Stores – Stockport
Tawny Stores in Marple Bridge. Credit: The Manc GroupBotivo at Tawny Stores. Credit: The Manc Group
Tawny Stores is a lovely little cafe, restaurant and grocery store right on the water’s edge in Marple, where you can do everything from having a romantic candlelit dinner to scoffing a morning pastry to grabbing a loaf of bread to take home.
Here, Botivo is added to a warming spiced apple drink, reminiscent of a mulled cider. You can even have it served in a takeaway cup to take it on a walk down the neighbouring canal, if you so fancy.
Bundobust – Oxford Road
Manchester Indian street food restaurant Bundobust. Credit: The Manc GroupBotivo at Bundobust Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike love Bundobust, a Leeds-founded Indian street food restaurant that now has two sites in Manchester city centre.
Among the long benches and beneath the skylights (weirdly, both sites have similar ceilings), you can pair your Indian small plates with a tasty glass of Botivo and soda.
Delve – Delph
Delve in Delph, Saddleworth. Credit: The Manc GroupDelve in Delph, Saddleworth. Credit: The Manc Group
Delve is a gorgeous restaurant and bar that’s recently opened in the Saddleworth village of Delph, inside an old bank building.
They’ve come up with a suitably sophisticated Botivo serve, the Pink Lady, made with chilled fruit tea.
Something More Productive – Withington
Something More Productive in Withington. Credit: The Manc GroupBotivo at Something More Productive. Credit: The Manc Group
This is a lively neighbourhood bar and cafe, as famed for its sturdy sandwiches as it is live music nights.
Tuck yourself away inside with a Botivo, served here with delicious ginger and yuzu kombucha from Cheshire-made Hip Pop.
North Westward Ho – city centre
Botivo at North Westward Ho in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Easily one of the city centre’s best watering holes, North Westward Ho is a charming pub operated by the same team behind Pomona Island brewery.
A perfect alternative to their massive beer selection, Botivo comes with soda and a wedge of fresh orange.
Caravan – St John’s
Botivo drinks at Caravan ManchesterCaravan in Manchester city centreCredit: The Manc Group
Caravan is another huge newcomer in Manchester city centre, where it has an all-day menu inspired by the vibrant flavours of New Zealand and Australia cafe culture.
Get cosy in the huge, light-flooded space and order yourself a Botivo and soda with a sprig of rosemary to really enhance those herbal flavours.
The Pearl – Prestwich
A Botivo espresso martini at The Pearl, PrestwichThe Pearl in Prestwich has made it onto the list of the Top 100 Local Restaurants in the Good Food Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
You’ve never had an espresso martini like this before – and you’ll never want to drink it another way.
Award-winning neighbourhood restaurant The Pearl has added Botivo to its espresso martinis, for a delicious citrus hit to the classic drink.
Hinterland Bar – Northern Quarter
Inside Hinterland in the Northern Quarter. Credit: The Manc GroupBotivo Elixir at Hinterland. Credit; The Manc Group
Tucked down in a Northern Quarter basement is Hinterland, a proudly alcohol-free bar that is the perfect cosy spot to sample Botivo.
They’ll serve you a Botivo Elixir, made with chai tea, lime, and cucumber – or you can have it more simply with soda.
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10 Tib Lane – city centre
10 Tib Lane in ManchesterInside 10 Tib Lane Manchester
If you’ve never been to 10 Tib Lane, let this be your sign – the three-storey restaurant and bar is a real beauty, serving delicious small plates that pair perfectly with Botivo.
They serve it ice cold, with soda and fresh orange. Delicious.
Danny Jones -
18th July 2024 
