Restaurant's hot date

9:52am Tuesday 8th May 2001

FOR 30 years one curry house has been a pilau of the Dartford community but there were naan in Kent before it opened.

Back in 1961, pub-goers only had the option of going to the fish and chip shop after a night out. That all changed when the Ranju Rahman korma-long and set up the Kent Curry House in the High Street.

Suddenly korma and tikka masala became the staple diet of Dartfordians.

Mr Rahman said the restaurant was a novelty when it opened and on the first day “people were queuing outside for a table”.

He said it was 16 years before another Indian restaurant opened in Dartford so it soon built up a good reputation in the town.

Mr Rahman explained how tastes have changed over the last 30 years.

He said: “Thirty years ago, English people only ate korma and now they will eat balti and masala. This year, we were even able to put chili masala on the menu, which we wouldn't have dreamt of doing 30 years ago.”

The successful restaurant, which has eight members of staff including Mr Rahman and his father Tawhidur, feeds around 100 Dartfordians on an average Friday night.

Mr Rahman added: “We love the people of Dartford and we want to thank them for all the support they have given us over the last 30 years.”

To celebrate its 30th anniversary on May 21, the restaurant is offering a 50 per cent discount on all food throughout the day. Call 01322 272201.

Editor's choice