Nestled on
We began our meal with the ever-necessary poppadoms (crisp, crunchy and not too oily - spot on) and starters of aloo tikki (for me) and Onion Bhajis (another firm classic for my partner). The starters are perfectly judged, being just the right size to whet our appetites, without being so much as to spoil what follows. I particularly liked the aloo tikki, a seemingly simple dish that was nevertheless packed with enough flavour and ingredients to be positively scrumptious.
4500 Miles has a somewhat sprawling menu, offering a wealth of choice that risks resulting in FOMO from a poorly chosen meal. It is a reason for repeat visits, but on this occasion we played it relatively safe with our main choices, siding with firm staples in the form of a chicken Jalfrezi and a chicken Dhansak. Accompanying this was a rice each (pulao for my partner, basmati for me) and a shared naan (Lahsooni - garlic and coriander). These turned out to be the right choice. While I found the Dhansak a mild curry, it was the perfect choice for my partner - flavoursome yet approachable. My Jalfrezi had the necessary kick I was looking for, without overwhelming the rest of the meal. The rice and naan accompanied them perfectly, with each being cooked just right.
One of the strengths of our meal was the presentation of the food, with the smaller dishes perfect for sharing, allowing diners to mix and match depending on their preference. 4500 Miles is a great restaurant to visit as a group, with the venue steadily filling up around us as more and more patrons joined the fun. The staff are friendly and attentive whilst keeping the necessary relaxed distance to allow my partner and I to enjoy our meal.
And what a terrific meal it was. By the end of our mains we were suitably stuffed, having been treated to two courses of perfectly judged flavours and wonderfully presented dishes. At times, it feels like 4500 Miles is just past the hustle and bustle of the city centre, but it is well worth the extra 5-minute walk to seek it out. Certainly my partner and I will be returning to it in the near future.