Don’t let the generic location of this resturant deter you from sampling the great Asian cuisine on offer at Spice of Hanwell. It was reccomended to me five years ago and I have since dined there ‘on and off’ on many occassions. Although many customers, I suspect, utilise the takeaway facility-it is really worth a visit just to experience the resturant element.
It is situated on rather a drab stretch of The Greenford Avenue – cheek-by-jowl between an undertakers, an internet cafe, a sprawling Costcutters and so on. The shops are morphed to one another by swathes of posters advertising cheap phonecards to countries whose borders are in a permanent fluxus.
But, then, ‘Spice’ pops right out; painted as it is, an eye-catching sunshine yellow. Although, not roomy within, it can accomodate single, double and party bookings. In all weather, it constantly remains cosy and somehow intimate. The lighting is a little subdued in the evening, so beware if your eyesight is on the wane; otherwise the menu will need to be angled somewhat grotesqely accordingly. However, the staff are welcoming and friendly. Usually, the manager and I presume, owner is there most evenings. He presides ceremoniosly over staff and customers with swift efficiency and appears paranormally everyhere, simultaneously.
Spice of Hanwell also boasts of a well stocked bar and a robust selection of whiskey to boot.
The menu is infinate and extenisive – offering an endless choice of starters, tandoori and house specialities, balthi and so on. The majority of ‘dishes’ appear to cost around seven pounds and are of gargantium proportions. In fact, the first time dining there, I ordered way too much and left with a heaving ‘doggy bag’ which the staff were only to eager to decant into several foil trays-leaving me to walk home balancing an ‘any-minute-now’ surplus of swirling stella nebulae saffron-coloured korma, an accordian-sized stack of papadums and a not so side order. But really, it was all delicious and