Chai Shai

The second outing of the year for the Bristol Front-Row Curry Club kicked off at the bustling Hope and Anchor on Jacob Wells Road.

There were two late drop-outs from the evening, surprisingly Gio was not one of them. Snudds claimed to be ill with tonsillitis but redeemed himself by assuring members that he would be ordering Chai Shai on Deliveroo so that he could still feel part of the group. Marshy didn’t bother to come up with an excuse.

Conversation ranged from speculation on Marshy’s last minute drop out, Slammy’s synthesiser collection and Jamie Desk’s work day.

After a few beverages it was time to make our way down the hill to Chai Shai passing the No Rugby Teams allowed sign on the way out.

Arriving at Chai Shai, LIDL carrier bags stocked full of 3 for £5 Cobra in hand, we were given the front window table, proudly put on display to entice passers by. Chai Shai has a BYOB policy, which was perfect for those that remembered to pick up their own alcohol on the way.

We immediately ordered 2x poppadoms and assorted chutneys for the group, standard.

Poppadoms arrived balanced upon a basket too small to hold them along with an assortment of three different chutneys. Mint Yoghurt was on point, the Mango Chutney was especially good with a spicy zing and a Cabbage/Mystery Veg crudités ensemble. Whiteman claimed the Mango Chutney was simply Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce and was ridiculed for his terrible palette.

Late arrival Mike Dean was short changed one poppadom and as no one was owning up to eating 3 it was decided to blame Chai Shai. He seemed to take it well.

Chai Shai offers a fairly limited selection on the menu, often not a bad thing and various main courses were ordered, Saag Chicken, “Something I Can’t Rememeber” Chicken and Saag Mutton among them. Garlic and Coriander Naan’s and Chai Shai Special Indian Rice all around and a Peshwari Naan for Morgs with his sweet tooth.

Runkle had also decided he would order himself a starter, so was watched enviously as he tucked into his £1.99 pakora on his lonesome.

Mains arrived on sizzling hot plates, with plenty of warnings from the waiter, obviously ignored. Chutneys were also topped up which was an added bonus.

Mike Dean, apparently not taking the loss of his poppadom well, and Gio then proceeded to steal Whiteman and Colton’s meals, tucking into them before the “mistake” was noticed by the group.

Whiteman was then more stressed when he was left out of the Garlic and Coriander Naan round but was appeased by assurances from the waiter that it was being cooked and would be on its way soon.

Curries were consumed and despite Whiteman and Colton’s mutinous glances to the other end of the table general consensus was, very tasty. Special mention to the Chai Shai Indian Rice that contained various veg/spices that added an extra dimension than the classic Pilau.

Given Runkle’s glowing review it was then decided to order an aperitif of Pekora starters to end the meal.

After Eights included with the cheque was an added bonus.

Upon the request for a club photo the waiter happily agreed and then proceeded to take the photo portrait chopping Runkle out entirely. Luckily the owner, obviously a better cameraman, managed to take over providing us with the lovely shot you can see below.

After the delights of Chai Shai, BYO alcohol and the possibly unnecessary added starter dessert bellies were fit to bursting. So, as it was a school night, it was decided to immediately make our way to the nearest pub for some more beverages.

The closest pub Bag O’ Nails Cat Pub was bypassed due to Colton’s hatred of all things feline, so the next option was local-friendly, The Myrtle Tree.

Upon arrival we were immediately accosted by the pub’s two other occupants that we stink of curry, followed by their swift departure leaving us the sole occupants.

Conversations turned to what to call our new Curry based blog. “It needs to include Bristol in the name”, argued Morgs, “so that we are more likely to get free shit from local curry houses”. Name ideas then spiralled until the “Kolston Kurry Klub” was ultimately rejected and the much more PC “Bristol Front-Row Curry Club” was born.

The evening wrapped up with other scintillating conversation such as Morgs pronouncing that “as a proud welshman I refuse to spend more than £95 to watch Wales vs England” and how long the Hazell’s drive way is.

With several polite reminders from the bar lady that the pub was closing we vacated and made our way home, concluding the second Bristol Front-Row Curry Club outing of 2019.