Nuneaton Weekly Tribune, Thursday October 1 2009
By Emma Ray
AN INDIAN restaurant in Nuneaton has managed to stay ahead of the rest of the pack in the county for the second year in a row by winning an award for first class food and service.
The Agra Palace, Abbey Green, has kept the title of Best International Restaurant for 2009 at the Coventry and Warwickshire Food and Drink Awards.
For the second year in a row, Agra Palace owner, Jamal Ullah, was able to pick up the award, but this time he won outright, unlike last year when he was joint winner.
Mr Ullah, who has been working at the restaurant for 19 years but has owned it for seven, said: “It feels really good to have won this”.
“Last year we were joint winners but I didn’t expect the same. I feel really happy, really pleased. The staff have all worked hard and deserve this award. The service was good, the waiters were courteous and we looked after the judges but we didn’t know it was them. What made our food stand out was that it contains local ingredients, meat produced locally, something we’re committed to.”
The judges said: “Agra Palace is a contemporary restaurant in Nuneaton and was a worthy joint winner in 2008. As part of the 2009 mystery visit, judges noted consistent standards of hospitality and service and commitment to ongoing refurbishment.
During the incognito visit, food quality was found to be consistent and flavours and textures well balanced. Our judges also commended the manager’s ability to ascertain guest requirements and his pro-active recommendation of suitable dishes. All in all, a deserving winner”
