I must admit I felt lucky walking in to this restaurant a few months ago, what with the ominous posters saying "closing for refurbishment".
It felt like this was the last chance to eat at this place before it lost it's soul

Complimentary poppadoms served with a dip which was a mix of chilli and mint, rather than as two different dips. Strange combination all in one, no matter.

Starters
I had Sheek Kebab, as usual. Very nice

Mains
I had a Keema Balti. Admittedly not as hot as I would've liked (and if i did want it hotter, i'd have to pay for it... hmm) but was nevertheless tasty.
The other people with me shared a variety of Dahl and Aloo dishes, and, for the first time out, ate it all. Success!
My father however had the Chicken balti, which he found again not spicy enough for his palette, and also felt he could taste more of the dish rather than the actual curry.

Cheap, cheerful, but somewhat disappointing given other reviews online.

4/5

If baltihouses were listed, Shabab would be Grade I star listed.

From its battered outside awning to its glass topped tables, Shabab is the balti experience which all balti lovers fondly remember.

The staff were efficient but friendly and brought the traditional ‘free gratis’ dips and poppadums with the former being topped up free and freely on request. Starters were a duo of sheekh kebabs which were superbly barbecued specimens of skewered, spiced minced lamb. Chicken tikka was the other choice and these were tasty and tender chunks of moist and well flavoured chicken breast.

However the ‘piece de resistance’ was the balti main course – my balti chicken rogan josh was served up sizzling in the traditional jet black balti bowl whilst a balti chicken korma was toffeeish without being overcreamy in that way which often makes the dish the ultimate in blandness. In fact in both cases, the sauce was delightfully rich with the flavours of the individual spices showing through.

The traditional accompaniment was a garlic mushroom naan as soft, moist and voluptuous as Kelly Brook. It was in fact just magic – and it’s certainly a good job that this adjective applies to the naan and not the mushrooms as there was enough of them stuffed into it to ensure the trip of a lifetime.

There was no room for anything other than the traditional ‘after balti’ mints and the bill came to under £20 for two which was a bargain especially in these credit crunch times. Shabab is well worth a visit for those nostalgic for the genuine balti experience but be warned that the restaurant keeps more irregular hours than your average teenager – for example it’s never normally open on Monday or Tuesday. By the way for drinks byo from the local offie or bring in a pint from the George pub across the road!

ANDY MUNRO