They say that there are more Indian restaurants in England than there are in India. Whether that is a fact or not, a short walk down Wilmslow Road in Rusholme, near Manchester, would lead you to the conclusion that it must be fact. Emerging from the car park behind a supermarket in that road, on a cold Saturday evening in January; my girlfriend and I were confronted with one of the most astonishing sights that you could probably wish to see in England.

Las Vegas or Wigan Pier?

The landscape of this north-country town was awash with neon lights. Although you could draw some comparisons with Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, the chill night air reminded you that you were not in Nevada ! Instead, you could have been forgiven for thinking that you were in an amusement arcade, on a pier in any major English seaside resort. Could this be Wigan pier, I thought to myself ? What Monica and I had come across, much to our delight, was The Curry Mile. A veritable montage of extravagantly-lit curry restaurants, all within a 500-yard stretch of one street.

Overwhelming Variety

As we slowly walked along this Mancunian Eastern-oasis, surveying each of the forty-odd restaurants located there, we were both excited and amazed at the same time. Many of the restaurants employed a friendly front man, whose job it was to entice passers-by into their own establishment. The range and abundance was simply overwhelming ! Given that Monica and I are not the most decisive of couples, we had a major problem. How on earth were we to decide where to eat ?

Whilst we continued walking, and talking ourselves into greater confusion through choice, a group of about ten friends raced by, chattering as they went in excitement that mirrored ours. I heard one girl say, breathlessly, as she jumped and twisted in the air to address her pals, “Who knows where they want to eat ?” I didn't hear the responses but, I imagined they would have a nightmare trying to get ten people to agree, in the face of such variety.

Without Comparison

Since returning home from that incredibly different experience, I have discovered that Wilmslow Road has had a "curry-house" since the sixties but, it wasn't until the early eighties that the Curry Mile began to take shape. Now, with over 65,000 diners a week spicing up their lives here, in this concentrated array of restaurants and take-aways, it claims to be without comparison in England.

Indeed! Well worth a visit... unless, of course, you're indecisive!

The exterior of the Porte Des Indes is very unassuming, which makes the entrance into this marvellous gem all the more breathtaking. Once inside, the massive Edwardian ballroom with domed ceilings and dining facilities on two large floors is revealed.

The remarkable interior of Indian stone balustrades and cascading waterfalls instantly transports one to India. Palm trees and Mogul drawings are a lovely sight to cast your eyes upon as you peruse the extensive French-influenced Indian menu. Although the prices are slightly higher than average, it is well worth it as their food is consistently to the highest of standards.

I sampled their Mango Chilli Mohito, one of their many innovative cocktails. This concoction consists of Angostura Rum, Sweet Basil Leaves, Alphonso Mango. Much to my delight, my drink arrived in a coconut resting on a banana leaf coaster! This drink was very sweet, yet not sickly and was a wonderful complement to the Poulet Rouge. This house specialty consists of Shredded chicken marinated in yoghurt and red spices, grilled and served in a creamy sauce. For accompaniments, I ordered Riz au Coco, rice scented with fragrant curry leaves and coconut, as well as a Laccha Paratha, Rich flaky bread enriched with butter. The portions looked rather small when they arrived, but by the time I had finished, I was stuffed. All of the items I had ordered were well-presented and flavourful but not overpowering.

The service here was second-to-none. Our food arrived promptly, and our server was attentive and non-obtrusive.

After your meal, stroll over to the Jungle Bar for yet another cocktail. All time classics such as Caipirinha, Cosmopolitan, Margaritas, Fresh Fruit

Daiquiris and Champagne Cocktails and more exotic concoctions can all be found here.

The Jungle Bar is designed as a hunters perch with beautiful paintings of animals on the wall. Decorated with hurricane lamps, rattan wall coverings, leaf-motif cane furniture, palms trees and tiger skin rugs, this area is casually opulent. Guests are encouraged to throw peanut shells on the floor to mimic the rich and famous in the Long Bar of the Raffles of Singapore whose patrons frivolously threw down "peanut shells" as a good humoured slightly rebellious act of appreciation which they could not get away with at home.

I was sad to leave this hidden oasis, but my spirits were lifted again when the doorman presented me with a single-stemmed orchid upon my departure. This venue is ideal for intimate dinners and corporate entertainment alike.