Introducing the Curry Critics

Valencia is seeing major growth with the opening of new Indian and Pakistani restaurants, cafes and take-aways. Facebook pages are full of questions from would-be diners, pictures of meals, critiques and even videos of how to cook this style of food which has its origins across the East from Persia to the sub-continent. 

In order to bring some sense to the choice for diners and to offer a helpful, independent and varied critique the ‘curry critics’ have formed to visit, extensively taste in and offer an overall view of the restaurants of Valencia. We aim to bring you a full review of an ‘outlet’ each month with shorter reports and news items in between. 

Who are the curry critics? 

Nitu Chugani is a Sindhi woman who has lived in Valencia for a long, long time. She hails from a family of foodies, and having lived in various countries has a passion for different cuisines. Her cooking blog just happened by chance, posting pictures of what she cooked on Facebook, and everyone would ask her to share the recipe! 

Her Facebook page Nitu Didi Recipes was a result of those requests. Then came www.nitudidi.com and after she started Valencia Curry Lovers on Facebook doing events for the locals and expats in Asian restaurants, always with a special deal.

Her Indian Restaurants in Valencia Facebook page was a result of too many people asking for a “good authentic” Indian restaurant in Valencia.

Matt Armitage is an English web developer who has lived in a variety of places around the Mediterranean over the last ten years, finally settling on Valencia five years ago. A keen home cook, he has been learning the art of Indian cuisine since he was a teenager. He also gained an insight into Keralan cooking when visiting the region and taking cooking lessons there. Originally hailing from West Yorkshire which is home to a large number of Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi immigrants, he grew up spoiled for choice for high quality curry restaurants, and is delighted to see the quality of Valencian curry restaurants gradually improving from the somewhat dire straits it was in five years ago. 

Riki Wigley and Marian Daras are respectively English and Valencian who collectively are VÍ Vid , a project promoting Valencian gastronomy and wines. They judge wine and food competitions, report on culinary and wine events and give wine tastings. Both have a love of curries, have eaten in restaurants across the Valencian Community and as far afield as London. Riki also cooks curries at home and for friends. Both bring an entirely independent and critical eye to and appreciation of the food, surroundings, and service and apply a weighted opinion to each venue. 

What criteria do we use?

Firstly we consider the nature of the business, e.g. takeaway, café or restaurant. 

We value a good welcome and advice. Many restaurants have an extensive range of dishes and we all have our favourites by which we measure the variation between venues. 

Drink is an integral part of enjoying a meal and we will assess the options available and comment accordingly. But, we recognise many establishments are owned by people who do not drink themselves and who therefore do not share this ability to make the happy marriage between the food and drink. Beers, wines and spirits will all be taken into account where possible. 

We also recognise that the prime market for the establishments are Spanish diners, with British and other nationalities forming a much smaller part of the clientele. Thus the base spice level will be lower than many of the latter group prefer. The ability to adapt and provide spicier meals with more chili will be assessed. 

We will consider and report on the size of portion, quality of food and the ambience. Valencia does not have an established ‘fine dining’ group of restaurants unlike London or Madrid. Our reviews recognise this. 

Finally we will give an overall review of the service, and the price to quality ratio, and publish these on our various pages and blogs.