Who doesn’t love a curry??

This was the note we received in late March 2024 from Mike Barrett of the Rotary Club of Basildon.  He went on to say “We would be delighted if you and fellow club members/friends/family would join us on Tuesday 16th April at 6.45pm at the brilliant Tandoori Parlour, Thundersley for an evening of great food, fun and good company.  We really hope you can attend and look forward to seeing you.”

Top Restaurant

The Tandoori Parlour is in Thundersley and is the largest Indian restaurants in Essex, known for its excellent Nepalese and Indian Cuisine.  Not only that, but it has been voted by notable gourmets and chefs Lloyd Grossman and Ainsley Harriott, as one of the top four Indian restuarants in the UK.  So ... not an invitation to be missed!

Unfortunately, the dinner clashed with another event on the day, so many members could not make it, and the club was represented (such an onerous duty!) by President-Elect Patrick Rothon, Peter Greene, Bert French and Chandra Gupta.

Patrick did the driving, collecting us all in turn, and we were soon on our way to thundersley arriving at the restaurant before 6.45 p.m., but even so, most guests were already there.  First stop, the bar for some libations, and then to our table.  

He’s just here!

The event was well supported - three complete tables seating 33 participants in total.  We were on a table with Ben Rajan of Basildon Club, and four women, some of whom were known to club members.  One of them was chatting to Patrick, and asked after Bert French “How is he now” she said “I haven’t seen him for a long while”.  At the time, Bert was sitting two charirs away!  Pat said he’s here, sitting next to us!  And Bert was called over and had a long conversation with her, catching up on recent times.

Delicious Food, Great Service

The Staff were friendly and attentive, and soon brought popadoms and chutneys to every table, followed by a selection of starters for each person on each table.
Then it was time for the main course, a buffet.  And what a buffet!  So many many different dishes from which to choose.  We wandered around the buffet loading up our plates as appropriate and sat down for a delicious repast.  A special allowance was made for Chandra and special vegetarian dishes were brought and served to him at the table.

All the while, an entertainer circulated around the tables showing “magic” tricks which had us all fooled, and raffle tickets were available for an end of meal draw. 

Then time for desserts for those with space to manage them, before the raffle was drawn.  

How did we do?  Our table of nine won five prizes, including Bert - who chose a bottle of Malbec wine - and Patrick - who chose a birdhouse for Carol.It was a terrific evening.  

Good food, great service, very good surroundings, and good company.