Frankly, the on-line reviews for Mirfield’s newest Indian restaurant did little to inspire confidence.
Shortly after opening, Laziz took a couple of knocks on the worldwide web.
Thanks to the internet everyone’s a critic but often you have to read between the lines to get a fair impression.
Laziz certainly looks the part after an extensive revamp.
Based in the main road premises of the former Kashmir, the restaurant looks inviting.
Kashmir was a mainstay of the Mirfield food scene but had become tired.
Redecoration was long overdue and it always amused me that the food award certificates on the walls were up to a decade out of date.
Kashmir was like an old pair of slippers – comfortable, safe and a bit down at heel.
So enter new owners, a shut-down and a complete refurbishment.
The result is impressive. The decor is clean and bright and the new furniture is modern and upmarket.
Strangely, though, the walls look bare with nothing in place of those yellowing certificates.
My companion Sian and I decided not to book and just turn up early last Saturday night. Oct 26
We were ushered towards a table near the toilets despite the fact only one other table was taken.
Sian declined and asked for a table by the window. Much more pleasant.
The on-line reviews criticised the service and it’s fair to say the waiters lacked a little finesse and polish.
But they were both good lads, eager to please and trying their best.
While we pondered the menu we were served with two poppadoms and a small square dish of (very runny but delicious) mint sauce.
Unfortunately, we had to ask for side plates for the poppadoms and only one set of cutlery was provided.
On the plus side iced water was provided without asking as were glasses for the bottle of Chilean red we brought with us. Laziz is an unlicensed, bring-your-own restaurant, which helps keep costs down.
Overall, the service was a bit creaky but there was not a lot wrong that a bit of direction couldn’t put right.
The problem for Laziz is that they have two very good Indian restaurants for competition in (licensed) Ruby’s Lounge and (unlicensed) Al Nawab.
So far we’ve talked about everything but the food. Well we’ve left the best until last and this is where Laziz could get the competition really worried.
The food was simply magnificent. Some Indians drown the flavours in spice so you can’t taste anything else.
Not Laziz. The chef (who apparently comes all the way from…Sheffield) has a light touch with his cooking.
He allows the flavours and textures of his ingredients to burst through.
The chef has a self-confidence about his cooking and the waiters were genuinely gushing in their praise for him.
My starter was fish tikka (£3.70) and the white fish was gently cooked and delicately encased.
The fish was flaky and made for an appetising start to the meal.
Sian had the chicken pakora (£3.50) which was tender and flavoursome.
For the mains I opted for my favourite rogan josh and, in keeping with the seafood theme, king prawns (£7).
You can tell a lot about a restaurant by the size of its king prawns! These weren’t the biggest but they were certainly the freshest. Taste test passed.
I also love tomatoes and these were proper tomatoes. The chef obviously takes pride in the quality of his ingredients.
Sian’s chicken tikka masala (£7.50) also proved a hit.
We shared a mushroom bhaji and you could actually taste the depth of the mushrooms.
The online reviews were critical of Laziz’s buffet which has now been dropped.
The restaurant also has a thriving takeaway service which was busier than the restaurant during our visit. Another good indicator for the food.
Laziz has been open less than a month and is clearly still a work in progress.
But they’ve got a gem of a chef who will rapidly build a reputation and make those online reviews as historical as Kashmir’s aged certificates.
Don’t expect five-star service quite yet. Do expect one of the best curries you’ve tasted in years.
Laziz
192 Huddersfield Road, Mirfield, WF14 8AT
Tel: 01924 498786
Website: In progress
Opening hours: @Sun-Thurs 5pm-midnight. Fri & Sat 5pm-1am
Children: Yes
Disabled: Welcome
The bill: £29.20
Would you go back? Definitely!
