Reviewed
11/03

Conveniently located on the High Street and distinctly more stylish than the majority of its competitors in Oxford, Café Zouk is a tempting option and one that, usually, will not let you down. Ok, so it's position above Carfax chippie isn't the sexiest one I can imagine but once you get inside, the décor has a comforting opulence which suggests that your meal may be a good one, albeit a a little pricey. Upon looking at the menu though, it becomes clear that it's no more expensive here than any of the other mid-market Indians. Starters are generally between three and five pounds, with mains ranging from five to about ten pounds, with (as usual) the king prawn dishes topping the price list. What has tended to make Café Zouk a rather expensive little expedition however, most times I have visited, is the range of too-tempting-to-resist side dishes. The onion bhajis which crazily are not on the menu but which the staff always seem happy to make for you, are quite simply the best onion bhajis in the world. A million miles from the horrid little hard balls you get elsewhere, these are soft, almost creamy, and melt in your mouth.

Mains are similarly reliable, whether you go for the balti style options served in a hot balti pan (to my mind, the very best way to eat a curry is like this, and mopped up with a naan), or the shashlik options which smell absolutely divine and come sizzling on a skillet, smothered in onions and green peppers. Sadly though, all is not perfect. A naan is the natural accompaniment (surely!) to a sauce rich curry, yet here, the naans are not all they might be. Dense and doughy where surely you're wishing they were light and fluffy, they're definitely something of a let down. The other potential problem with Café Zouk is the service which ranges from courteous, pleasant and efficient, to downright rude. On my last visit, we were left lingering on the stairs without being offered a table for more than ten minutes, only for everyone's starter to be forgotten when our order was eventually taken. I'm prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt though and hope that this was a one off. If it was, the gorgeous, fresh tasting, non-greasy mains, not to mention the creamy lassis and unforgettable onion bhajis, make Café Zouk well worth a visit.

Victoria Lorne