Ashoka, Rawtenstall

Phone number: 01706 231665

Lancashire Telegraph review by Dave Bogle from January 4, 2010.

I OFTEN mourn the fact that my native Rossendale is becoming more and more like a suburb of Manchester.

But one beneficial side-effect seems to be the proliferation of new and interesting places to eat in the Valley — those city-slickers certainly like to dine out.

Encouraged by dreadful Christmas TV schedules and an overdose of turkey, we decided to treat ourselves to an Indian meal at Ashoka, which came highly recommended.

The menu is extensive, with all the tikkas and tandooris you would expect, plus a few I at least had never heard of. We decided to share a Mushroom Chat starter between us — mushrooms cooked in spices, herbs and spices served with thin crisp ethic bread. Just as tasty as it sounds.

Feeling adventurous, I went for Chicken Delhi as my main course — a dish featuring the chef's special sauce. My wife opted for Vegetable Pathia and our 12-year-old son for his favourite Chicken Korma. The dishes were accompanied by boiled rice and Peshwari naan. Much swapping and sampling ensued and it’s fair to say that we loved our choices.

One slight gripe would be that the Korma was a little too sweet — but that seems to be the way it is served at most restaurants.

The whole meal for three, with drinks, came to £45, which wasn’t bad at all for a Christmas treat.

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