Back to eating Indian this month with a visit to Chilli's located in East Hunsbury. Tony, Alan B, Jim, Colin M, Alan P, Brian B, Keith, Ian, Nick and Bill were present to sample the delights on offer from this restaurant conveniently located for an after Tesco shopping trip.
After the usual drinks order was taken, everyone decided that wanted to dive straight into the main courses, so a varied number of dishes were ordered. Before the serious discussions started, Bill produced the one and only chili that he has been cultivating for some time. Using Betsy (his trusty knife), the chili was dissected for the brave to try. Actually, it was very mild, but at least a taster. Early conversation included Brian's difficulties coming to terms with not have corporate objectives and milestones, the price of hand made silk carpets and senior moments.
After 45 minutes we started to wonder where our food was and making some of our guys wait too long is not recommended. Now the keen eyed reader may have spotted we have a new emblem! Designed by Colin and meeting every ones approval. Colin's production of a printed version of this spawned what can only be described as inspired discussion. It quickly became clear that we could have pin badges made with our new emblem to give to members of the MCC (Mission Curry Club). These would quickly become more sort after than Blue Peter badges. We then explored the concept of different badges depending on attendance, 1 chili for 10 visits, 2 for 20 and of course 3 for greater than 30 visits (probably only Alan B and Bill would currently qualify). Then Nick suggested a chili shaped hat that could be worn by the highest attendee. This was quickly agreed and would be named Grand Chili Master!
Now it didn't take long before there was some serious stomach rumbling as we realised it had now been well over an hour and no food had arrived. We were wishing we hadn't rushed down the spoon sized piece of Bill's home grown chili and savored it longer. After some subtle comments to the waiters (actually some weren't so subtle), eventually the food arrived. Everyone agreed that the quality of the food was good, scoring 4 out of 5 and the quantity was also good (4/5). Cost and ambiance scored 3 each with speed of service a 2. The staff were very interested in our scoring and did comment that good food takes time to prepare, cook and service. Fair comment .. but over an hour? Our scoring specifically does not cross reference each category, so that the much sort after 25/25 would mean excellent food, served quickly, in a good environment at low cost is hard to attain. Total score 16/25. As usual, I must point out that the opinions stated and used to judge and score are entirely personal.
The bill came and once we had added Brian's 37 Lassi's (an Indian yogurt based drink), 1 small Cobra beer and Ian's extra 25p for his coke, all was well on the finance front. Another successful outing for the MCC!