Mold Indian restaurant delivers with its big flavours

Grosvenor Street

Mold CH7 1EJ

Tel: 01352 752541

parivaar.co.uk

IF you've ever been to Mold, you could be excused for never having spotted this Indian restaurant.

It's located in a small, unassuming building off Wrexham Street in Mold, and that, we discovered, is part of its charm.

I had only ever heard good things about this place, and called up early in the week to book for Saturday evening. Managing to fit us in on what would turn out to be a popular night, I was also informed it was cash only, and bring-your-own-alcohol.

Turning up for our booking, we could see the place was already busy.

Omelette-topped chicken tikka biryani at Parivaar.

Parivaar, which translates as 'family', is an intimate venue. If quiet and space are your preferred dining criteria, chances are this isn't for you, at least not on a Saturday night. But they do also offer a take away service.

We were seated at a table for two furthest from the door, and it was a sweet spot.

Our neighbours, a table of five, we noted had embraced the bring-your-own concept, having a well-stocked cool box trolley by their side.

We'd been saving ourselves all day for this - now to check out the menu.

The biryani curry (bottom) and rogan josh (top) at Parivaar.

As we struggled to make our choices, we eyed up food arriving at tables around us. Real showstoppers were the tandoori dishes, which arrived on a sizzling platter.

Starters were too tempting just to choose one, so we both opted for the Parivaar Mixed Starter (£5.50 each), consisting of lamb and chicken tikka, spicy lamb-filled samosa and onion bhaji. A close second for me was the cheese option of the paneer tikka, maybe next time.

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The mix was a great choice. A bit of variety is never a bad thing, although I'm a sucker for a bhaji, and could have demolished a whole batch - slightly sweet, with that perfect mix of crispy batter and soft onion.

Next up our mains. The choice is ample, and the menu gives a good description of dishes for those looking to step out of their comfort zone.

Garlic naan to share at Parivaar.

On this visit my other half chose a chicken tikka rogan josh (£10.95) with mushroom rice (£3.25), and I went for a chicken tikka biryani. We also got a garlic naan to share (£2.75).

My rice and meat combo came with the classic omelette on top, and vegetable curry on the side. As is my habit, I ate the eggy addition in its entirety. This would prove a possible error.

I added the curry to the rice and meat, and tucked in. It was considerably spicier than I expected, and I wish I'd saved the egg to mix in it. Noted for next time.

Parivaar Indian restaurant in Mold.

Despite working up a sweat, I loved every bite. It was full of fresh flavour, and at a good sized portion, was incredibly filling. Combined with the naan, which was super soft and very moreish, I struggled to finish mine. Luckily my partner was all for helping.

Having seen off his rogan josh, barely looking up from it and declaring it "so, so good", he championed on for a few forkfuls of my biryani. He admitted it was pretty spicy!

A member of the friendly team came to clear our plates and we expressed our appreciation of the food. He seemed genuinely thrilled, and we chatted a little more about the dishes at Parivaar. It's fair to say, those sizzling plates, which smelt amazing, are next on our list.

The food had far exceeded expectations, and as fellow diners' plates are only a glance away, we got to have a front row to lots of other sterling looking choices.

And while we really didn't need our verdict validating, one of the guests seated next to us declared to her companions that "this is the best Indian food I've ever had".