Shahi Masala

Standing like an island defiantly in a sea of curry houses, it strikes you that shahi masala likes to strike a pose from other contemporary Indian restaurants. The eatery does some fine cuisine with the best korma on the curry mile as confirmed by my peers. 5 courses on weekdays will cost you £9.95 not too shabby at all and the place claims to be some of the best curry around. I certainly can’t find fault with this establishment they do all sorts of Indian food with twists very very well. My vote goes to the biryani and tarka dal (dal tarkha if we’re going authentic). Nice décor indoors and a nice atmosphere make this a curry house to visit.

Before this place was Shahi Masala, it was Gogi’s, and before that it was… something else, I forget now. It seems to have gone through its caterpillar and chrysalis-​like state though, and finally emerged as a beautiful butterfly. It sits at the end of the curry mile nearest Whitworth Park, and as such can be seen as a great last swan song as you pass through towards Piccadilly, or a excellent starter should you be coming the other way. Either way, it’s worth taking the time to visit.
Back when it was Gogi’s I credited them with having the nicest korma out of all their nearest competitors, and I’m glad to see they still hold that crown. Friends I have visited with assure me that the rest of the food was similarly delicious, and we all agree that the service was prompt, polite and quick.
The only thing I don’t like so much is the general atmosphere. It doesn’t feel right somehow as a restaurant setting, too modern maybe. It’s seems a little unfair to allow such a vague notion to bias a review, but it’s prominent enough to count. Also, it’s not the cheapest in the area, though not particularly expensive either. I feel like I’m clutching at straws a little bit here, but I can’t rate everything as awesome, can I?

Shahi Masala is a cracking Indian place on the Wilmslow Road (where else?) with a brilliant chef. Not only that but I can easily say that for this place there is often little time between ordering and the food coming out. Always a big bonus when your hungry, am I right?
Their main ‘traditional’ curries are available with chicken, lamb (or prawns for the more adventurous) and I’d recommend their korma — sometimes just the thing you want on cold wintry Mancunian nights.
I’ve also tried their Cheese Chicken Tikka which I loved once I had gotten over the spice — I usually stick to the mildest choices on the menu. My tastebuds are delicate. OK? This dish has coriander, green peppers and melted cheese and at £7.95 it is well worth the money. Grab some naan and it’ll last you all day/​night.
Not many options for vegetarians here as you might expect but you can get veggie noodles, chana and salads.