Headlines § e-mail § Publisher details § rates & data Est. 1996 Issue 147 May 2009 Jalsha Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Honour, Spice and Soul     The Mayor of Bexley Councillor Nick O'Hare and Mayoress Mrs Maria O'Hare were Guests of Honour at the Jalsha Tandoori Restaurant in Station Road, Sidcup on Tuesday 5th May, when the venue celebrated its quarter century. This was the second visit by their worships, who were previously VIP Guests in their capacities as Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress in September 2007 at one of the restaurant's charity evenings. An enthusiastic dance party ensued, as Shenton Dixon, a West End show star, performed his usual amazingly authentic tributes in his 'Strictly Soul' Show to legends George Benson complete with guitar, Louis Armstrong on trumpet, the funky Stevie Wonder, and deep-voiced Barry White. Shenton is the UK's most authentic Stevie Wonder tribute, and was the original performer at the Apollo in the world-wide smash hit musical 'Buddy' which included the song "I'm Gonna Party" which he co-wrote. He also featured in the original Tamla Motown Musical "Dancing In The Streets" playing alongside Edwin Starr and appearing virtually everywhere throughout the UK and various locations throughout Europe. He now travels the world with his tribute shows, and is in constant demand for his considerable talents. Ecklas Ali, Mokbul Ali and Burhan Uddin, partners who between them have over 40 years experience in the restaurant business, put the Jalsha's longevity down to customer care - a delightfully decorated venue (seating 150) which is kept spotlessly clean (the staff do their 'housework' as a team every Saturday) not just vacuuming and dusting - the walls and paintwork are washed, and even the menus are polished. A high degree of hygiene is practised in the kitchen, the cuisine ingredients are chosen with care, combined in popular recipes from Bangladesh, Nepal and the Indian sub-continent by top chefs who have worked for the Jalsha since its beginning, and also served with efficiency by very polite and loyal uniformed staff. There is also a large car park, free to customers, at the rear of the restaurant. In recognition of these exceptionally high standards, in 2001 Bexley Council awarded the Jalsha top placing as the cleanest and best kept Indian restaurant with the best Indian cuisine in the borough. In 2003 the restaurant was also awarded a certificate by the Good Eating Guide. Originally opening in 1984 in Sidcup High Street, the Jalsha became so popular for its exceptional cuisine that when the restaurant moved to the larger Station Road premises in 2005 due to customer demand, it retained all its customers. The restaurant is now attracting new ones (increasingly from outside Bexley) with the monthly programme of top tribute acts and covers singers which began in 2007, chosen to appeal not only to customers' age range, but also for the acts' particular styles which allow customers to take part in the shows. This interactivity creates a lively atmosphere, and makes Jalsha customers feel they have had a really good time - and this, combined with top customer service, is what being a successful restaurant is all about. 169-171 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AA. Reservations 020 8300 0777/ 020 8300 2527

Headlines § e-mail § Publisher details   Mood Food is published by FSR, London, England © 2009  Editors: Peter J. Grove Editorial office: PO Box 416 Surbiton, Surrey, England, KT1 9BJ Tel: 020 8399 4831 email: GroveInt@aol.com