RESTAURANT REVIEW>Chicken lollipops at Khyber pass Restaurant

Mr Glenn D’ Souza is the irrepressive and indomitable Maître’d of the long standing Khyber Pass Indian restaurant situated at Speke Hotel while arguably being Kampala’s oldest Indian joint going back 18 years.
It goes without saying that in an ever increasing narrow and competitive market for up market exotic food, one has to be aggressive and not stand on one’s laurels and take things for granted.
Small things like the quality of service, smart uniforms, decent cutlery and clean linen and the like become especially important to clients of discerning taste. In this regard, Khyber Pass is second to none and fits the bill in many aspects.
From the moment one sits to dine at this establishment the waiting staff are there to take one’s order and indeed they seem amiable, pleasant and knowledgeable. It always helps to have a maestro like Glenn on hand to guide one through the typically long menu that these places are wont to have.
For starters, Glenn suggested the chicken lollipop which happens to be an all time favourite for many Ugandan and non-Asian diners. Comprising deboned chicken wings that are marinated in fragrant Indian spices such as garam masala, cumin, coriander, garlic, ginger etc and is deep fried with amazing results and accompanied with a medley of chutney garnishes viz. mango, papaya, coriander and another.
For the main course we decided on the classic chicken tikka that is another mainstay of the Indian repertoire and the not so well known though rather sublime Goan chicken curry that has just the right element of coconut flavouring that even the first time diner of this kind of food would find agreeable and enjoy.
The above entrees were accompanied by butter Nan and perfect steamed white rice. At the end of the meal we were a happy lot and vowed to go back to visit Khyber Pass in the not-too- distant future.

If you go…
Our Rating: Worth a visit
The Place: Khyber Pass Indian Restaurant
Address: Speke Hotel, Speke Road Kampala
The Space: An old fashioned colonial indoor setting with an alfresco area
The Crowd: Corporates types such as those from Standard Chartered Bank and well heeled people who enjoy good Indian food
The menu: Chicken lollipop, chicken tandoori, chicken tandoori
Beverages: Juice, soda beer and wine
Recommended dishes: Chicken lollipop is a favorite
The damage: A couple should plan to spend a good fifty thousand bob or so and then some.
Sound level: Perfect
Parking: On the street
Smoke free zone: Allowed on the veranda though strictly proscribed indoors
If you go: Daily
RATINGS: Not to be missed, worth a visit, OK/so so, don’t waste your time.
These ratings are purely the reviewer’s personal reaction to food, ambience and service with price being factored into consideration. The menu listings and prices are subject to change without notice.