I have often wondered about the Indian restaurant in Banbury with the unusual name, Purple Mango. So different. So exotic. What’s it all about?
Well after we reviewed it recently I now know. Contemporary décor, contemporary theme and they pride themselves in offering contemporary Indian cuisine at great value best sums it up. They describe their offering as providing the highest quality traditional, authentic Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine in a wonderful atmosphere with excellent service.
The menu is very wide ranging and offers original ideas making a refreshing change from the regular curry house offerings. Their selection of freshly prepared food such as fresh vegetables, chicken and lamb dishes all have a distinct taste, aroma, texture to satisfy any palate.
The menu was huge, containing as it did a whole section highlighting exclusive Purple Mango main dishes numbering 26 in total.
We made our selections and whilst waiting for the starters to arrive we enjoyed a round of Spicy Papadams with various chutneys washed down with pints of Kingfisher and Cobra lager.
Then for starters, we chose Vegetable Samosas made from fine filo pastry stuffed with pea and potato and spiced with cinnamon and cloves, there was also a meat version available. This was very light and tasty.
We shared out the next 2 starters.
Firstly King Prawn Puri made of fried, unleavened bread topped with King Prawns and cooked to their own recipe.
Tandoori Mixed Grill a selection of tandoori chicken, chicken tikka, lamb tikka, sheek kebab, king prawn served with naan bread and side salad.
We all agreed that we had chosen fantastic starters and that it was a great way to start a meal.
For our mains, we just had to choose 3 dishes from the Exclusive Purple Mango Selection as we just could not resist the names and ingredients.
Purple Mango Special. Delicately sliced chicken tikka in a tray with mushrooms, stuffed with kebab on a bed of oriental rice and chefs’ unique sauce.
Jinga Jalorie. A sizzling dish of shelled king prawns cooked in a medium hot sauce with onions, tomatoes and peppers.
Railway Mutton Curry. A popular dish served in the railway canteens of Bombay, chunks of mutton cooked in its own juices stewed till tender with ginger, caramelised onion and ground aromatic hot spices.
They were all very memorable and accompanied by Pilau Rice, basmati rice cooked with ghee. We also ordered 2 of the 8 naans on offer namely.
Peshwari Naan leavened bread stuffed with sultanas and coconut and Honey Naan leavened bread with a layer of honey on top.
Before leaving we were reminded of the Sunday Buffet offered from 12.30 to 4.30 on an eat as much as you like basis for only £13.95 with children under 10 only £5.95 and under 5’s free.
With a choice of 4 starters, 5 mains, 3 sides and ample rice and naans. This is fantastic value as some of the mains are £14.95 by themselves.
Please note this is extremely popular and so you should book in advance.
