When I heard that the new Rajah Indian Restauarant at 500 Ti Rakau Drive offered a daily lunch special of curry and rice with Naan bread for just $6.50, I was blown away. I couldn’t think of anyone locally who offered such a great deal seven days a week.
In fact, I was so impressed I just had to visit and although I came to that decision on a Tuesday night (obviously outside the lunch special time) I decided then was as good a time as any to at least have an overall look-see!
With many restaurants closed on the first two days of the working week, I wondered if Rajah’s would be open. It was. In fact it is open seven nights from 5.30pm until late for dinner and seven days for lunch, 11.30am-2.30pm.
A tired hubby was also happy that there was parking right outside the door and within eight minutes of leaving home we were seated at our table. Our first impression was one of delight.
The contemporary yet elegant interior was tastefully appointed with touches of crimson adding a vibrant note to the stylish mix of greys and earth tones. I especially liked the large, contemporary light fittings and the way the lower half of the windows were obscured giving patrons an element of privacy.
Service was immediate and we were promptly seated with water delivered in a jiffy. After taking our drinks order, the smartly attired waiter left us in peace to peruse the menu.
The first thing I noted was the competitive prices – most mains around the $16.50 mark. Secondly, this discerning Indian menu had been trimmed so that patrons were provided with ample but not excessive choices.
Experience has taught me that ordering the same dish more than once does not necessarily mean it will be prepared in exactly the same way each time. We started with onion bhaji and pakora. This time, the latter came as small pieces of tastily coated vegetables, which had been deep-fried. They were delicious. The fat coils of onion bhaji were just as good and by time our mains arrived I was already replete!
For seconds, hubby chose the Chef’s Prawns and I, the Mango Chicken. The chicken dish was mild and very sweet – ideal for European palates that can’t cope with hot and spicy.
On the other hand the prawns had plenty of zing yet, surprisingly, the rich, garlic sauce did not overwhelm the shellfish, which retained its firmness and ocean flavour. I’m picking the peeled prawns were wisely added towards the end of the cooking time and as such deserved the chef’s honours.
While I have still to take advantage of that fantastic lunch special, for people who live and work in the area, a $6.50 curry and rice with naan bread lunch seems too good to miss.
Indeed, Rajah Indian Restaurant sits well among the raft of ethnic restaurants throughout Howick and Pakuranga. I liked the decor and noted that a private function room was available for those in celebration mode. Being located among the shops at 500 Ti Rakau Drive (next to the Xtreme ten pin bowling and entertainment complex) the restaurant also benefits from ample parking.
Fully licensed with BYO wine, this venue should do especially well on Botany’s late shopping nights. So easy to access, nicely appointed and competitively priced, it is more than okay!
To book or for takeaways phone 2710410.
