We last visited the Rawal about nine months ago, and we wrote: "All in all, a mixed bag. Long gone are the days when the Rawal was up there knocking on the door of the premier league - to labour the football analogy, it's now languishing at the foot of the first division."
Again we found it variable. While not a particularly good restaurant, it cannot be called bad, either: the Rawal serves slightly above average curries (depending on which you choose) at decent enough prices.

We started with chicken pakora (£1.90), onion bhaji (£1.30), and aloo pakora (£1.50). The chicken pakora were
described as average: tasty but dry, and the portion was poor. The onion bahji, while freshly-cooked, were a little under-spiced, and on the oily side. The aloo pakora was the pick of the bunch: spicy and crisp and cooked to perfection.

Like last time, I ordered a daal dish, this time a daal tarka, and like last time it was very disappointing: it was the tiny, bead-like variety of the lentil, which to be honest does not make the finest curries: this dish lacked flavour and was too oily. The karahi aloo matter panir was much better, a good helping of what tasted like fresh peas, well-cooked potatoes and Asian cheese in a excellent spice sauce - my only complaint was that the cheese was diced so thinly as to be almost unnoticeable, and was a bit bland. The Chicken bhuna was described as, "Tasty, but the pieces of chicken were small and of poor quality, although not fatty." The dil raz was, "Highly spiced with a good wholesome flavour, but spoilt by the quality of the meat - a bit tough, and full of gristle."

All in all, then, another mixed bag from the Rawal. We'd advise our readers to go along for the experience - avoid the dall dishes! - and make up your own minds. We have noticed, however, that the Rawal has been much quieter over eighteen months since the restaurant changed hands.

(Price of main dish does not include chapattis and naan bread or rice. Chapattis 30p each, naan £1.20, garlic naan £1.40. Boiled rice £1.10. Though on take away meals, chapattis, etc, are free.)

The last time we visited the Rawal, just under a year ago, we wrote: "... sad to report, the standard of the curry has gone down markedly. While we still had a decent enough curry experience, the fare was not a shade of its former glory." We found it pretty much the same this time - though opinion was divided between the vegetarians and the meat eaters.

We started with chicken pakora (£1.90), onion bhaji (£1.30), and aloo pakora (£1.50). The chicken pakora were enjoyed: a crispy and tasty 'shell' covering a succulent chicken portion. The bhaji was soggy, bland and undercooked, while the aloo pakora was the best of the bunch: spicy and crisp and cooked to perfection.

My karahi daal was a vast disappointment. It tasted oily, which even the spices did nothing to disguise. It was bland and lacked salt - which I had to add to give it some flavour. Likewise the karahi chana panir was poor: it looked good but lacked flavour, and the panir was without texture or taste. The meat dishes fared a little better. The gran slam (described as a dish with a mixture of meat, chicken, keema and fresh vegetables. An exotic taste of the eastern Punjab) was described as: "The meat, keema and chicken was nicely proportioned and substantial, but it really lacked flavour - it needed a few more spices." The dil raz, chicken and keema cooked with pineapple, a dish originating in northern Pakistan, contained Good quality, succulent meat in a spicy rich sauce with a flavoursome aftertaste: a large portion with a good ratio of meat to sauce.

The service was friendly but slow, especially as, other than ourselves, there were only two other diners in the place.

All in all, a mixed bag. Long gone are the days when the Rawal was up there knocking on the door of the premier league - to labour the football analogy, it's now languishing at the foot of the first division. We'd recommend you give it a try, especially if you're a meat eater - or perhaps ask for the dishes to be prepared apna-style. We'll be back next year to see how things stand.

(Price of main dish does not include chapattis and naan bread or rice. Chapattis 30p each, naan £1.20, garlic naan £1.40. Boiled rice £1.10. Though on take away meals, chapattis, etc, are free.)

The Rawal seems to have changed ownership - at least, there were none of the familiar faces on hand the night we dined. Also, sad to report, the standard of the curry has gone down markedly. While we still had a decent enough curry experience, the fare was not a shade of its former glory... And perhaps the word had got around: we were the only diners present.

The starters were very good. We had chicken pakora (£1.90), onion bhaji (£1.30), and aloo pakora (£1.50). The chicken pakora was a fine example of what this starter should be: big chunks of tasty meat in a thin, crisp batter. Both veggie starters were well above average, fresh, crisp and beautifully flavoured.

I was pleased with my main course, chana masala - the chick peas were nicely cooked, the masala sauce spicy without being over-hot. The palak aloo was just above average, the spinach being on the bland side and a bit runny. The dil raz, a tangy dish of chicken and minced meat cooked with pineapple, was a little on the greasy side, and although the portion was fine, it was rather bland. The karahi aloo matter panir was, according to IanW, "a mere shadow of its former self, fairly bland, and the panir lacked any real taste. Disappointing."

When we first visited the Rawal over two years ago, I wrote: "The restaurant is richly decorated in the timeless tradition of eastern overkill, and overall the atmosphere is pleasant and the service attentive and friendly." Now, it must be said that, while the service is still attentive and friendly enough, it was mind-numbingly slow. We waited almost an hour for our main dishes to arrive - and, as mentioned above, we were the only customers in the place.

If the Rawal wishes to maintain to good reputation it has achieved over the years, things will have to improve.

The Rawal is not your average cheap Bradford curry house. While the prices compare favourably with those around the country, they are on the expensive side for the city. However, the menu is varied and extensive, and the vegetarian choice excellent. The restaurant is richly decorated in the timeless tradition of Eastern overkill, but the atmosphere is pleasant and the service attentive and friendly.

We kicked off with onion bhaji (£1.30) and chicken pakora (£1.90). The bhaji was a little disappointing, lacking any hint of onion and rather pudding-like. The pakora on the other hand was rich and spicy.

I went for a simple mushroom bhuna, a mild dish of what I suspect might have been tinned mushrooms in a pretty bland sauce - not the best dish I've sampled at the Rawal, but still above average. The karahi chana masala, slightly more expensive, was superb - a generous portion of chick peas in a rich, thick sauce. The palak aloo was average for a Bradford curry, but the portion was generous. The lamb shireen was disappointing. The karahi aloo matter paneer was, just like the previous time, disappointing. Although adequate, the Rawal has made this dish very special in the past.

We had a guest with us from Spain, unused to curies, and who ordered an extra mild chicken korma. Not every curry restaurant can cater for custom-made dishes, but to the Rawal's credit they were obliging and produced a satisfying dish.

We were last at the Rawal eleven months ago, and since then there has been a price rise of between forty and sixty pence on most dishes.

It speaks well of a restaurant which can have an off day and yet still produce a satisfying meal. We had all enjoyed fine curries at the Rawal before today, yet this meal wasn't quite up to its usual very high standards.

We ordered starters of onion bhaji (£1.20), aloo pakora (£1.30), and mushroom pakora (£1.40), and they arrived in ten minutes. We were unhappy with all three dishes as they were all undercooked. The potato was hard, and the dough of the onion bhaji and mushroom pakora a little soggy. They tasted fine, spicy and hot - another five minute's cooking would have done them to perfection. It was a bad beginning, as we'd always enjoyed our Rawal starters before today.

Things picked up with the arrival of the main courses after twenty five minutes. I had chana masala and enjoyed the dish: mild, though with a full, rich flavour. The karahi aloo matter from this restaurant is IanW's all time favourite dish - but it wasn't quite on form today, lacking flavour and spiciness. In the same category came the chicken bhuna, and another complaint from those who had ordered the dishes in the three pound range was the small portions (the more expensive dishes, in the four to five pound range, were ample.) The biryani was much appreciated, and the portion satisfying.

The Rawal is not your average cheap Bradford curry house. While the prices compare favourably with those around the country, they are on the expensive side for the city. The fact that chapattis and naan breads are not included in the price of the meal is a serious matter. However, the menu is varied and extensive, and the vegetarian choice excellent. The restaurant is richly decorated in the timeless tradition of eastern overkill, and overall the atmosphere is pleasant and the service attentive and friendly.

We felt we did not experience the Rawal at its best today. When on form, it produces some of the best curries in the business. We recommend the restaurant to connoisseurs in search of good food, and we look forward to another visit soon.