I found myself unusually hungry, this lunchtime, so in need of something more substantial than a soup and sandwich combo. Accordingly, I took myself along to the Gurkha Cafe, on Cockburn Street, to grab something hearty.

Exterior

The interior of the place is quite striking, as they’ve put quite a lot of effort in to giving it a feel of a little Nepalese hut, with log beams and overlapping wooden slats. It’s quite a change from how the premises used to look, when under previous ownership.

From their lunchtime menu, I quickly settled upon a lamb dish, opting for a Nepalese style curry called a bhuteko khasi.

Bhuteko khasi

The efficient and friendly waiter took my order, asked whether I’d like it served mild, medium or hot (I opted for medium) and brought me a glass of tap water, keeping things moving along briskly, which was a good thing, as I had a train to catch, shortly after lunch.

My dish soon appeared, served with plain rice, fresh naan and a simple salad, for a good, varied lunchtime portion.

Interior

The lamb proved to be very tasty, with well-crafted seasoning. It was lean enough to appeal to healthier tastes, while retaining a nicely soft tenderness. The naan was a little well-fired, but was fresh and crisp, so greatly preferable to some tired old naans I’ve been served. The rice and salad were plain, but entirely welcome for bringing sustenance and freshness, respectively.

I cleaned the plate, as it was a tasty dish and exactly what was required. All that was left was to pay the bill, which I did following application of a welcomed moist towelette, and a nibble at a dish of interesting little sweets that had a subtle liquorice flavour.

So overall, the Gurkha Cafe served me a rather good lunch. It was simple, warmly spiced and well prepared. I’d be happy to pop back for another lunch, or when I’m looking for a quick evening feed, as I found the place very agreeable.

Scores
Blythe scores the Gurkha Cafe
3.5/5 for food
3.5/5 for presentation
3.5/5 for setting
3.5/5 for service
giving an overall 14/20

Today’s quester was: Blythe

I ate: bhuteko khasi

I drank: water

I wore: grey shirt

Total bill: £6.95