Summary (by AI): I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to a decorated curry house in Bedford, where the spiced lamb with chickpeas and the relaxed atmosphere made for a perfect evening.
Blog: I was recently in Bedford for a bricklaying course and decided it was the perfect opportunity to knock off a few of my "ABC" categories. After a bit of hunting around for a local curry house, one particular spot really stood out. They were either genuinely top-tier or just exceptionally good at marketing, because they had a wall full of various Curry Awards.
It was a Monday, so I expected a fairly quiet evening. I’d been staying with Allison in an Airbnb nearby and decided to stop for a pint at a wonderful local pub on the way through — The Wellington Arms - it was a great start to the night. By the time I made it into the restaurant, the vibe was exactly as I expected for a Monday: peaceful, but not empty. There was a group of three guys sat right next to me who were clearly having a brilliant time, very animated and enjoying each other’s company. It was lovely to see.
As is my want, I’d done a bit of research beforehand on what to eat. I’d noticed a few people on Instagram and various review sites mentioning a specific lamb dish served with chickpeas, and I thought, well, that sounds right up my street. I hunted through the menu, found the dish, and ordered it up along with a pint of Kingfisher. I also can't resist a Bindi Bhaji, so I added that to the spread. I have to say, it was a very, very nice meal. It had a great kick of spice and that perfect little "bite" you get from the chickpeas. I always love a bit of texture like that in a curry.
While I was finishing up, things got quite interesting. Because it was such a quiet night, a photographer came in and started setting up. They kept bringing out different dishes from the menu, arranging them on a table, and taking these beautifully lit, professional shots.
I ended up having a good chat with the waiter about it. He explained that this was basically their social media content for the entire month. It really highlights the world we live in now; that’s just how restaurants have to do their marketing these days. If they do it well—and these guys clearly did—it’s bloody successful.
Overall, I really enjoyed the experience. The food was spot on, the atmosphere was relaxed, and I’d definitely go back next time I find myself in Bedford.
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