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Takeaway that's so good even Gordon Ramsay swears by it
Sri Carmichael and Jonathan Prynn06.03.08
He may be more used to the best food in his Michelin-starred restaurants, but chef Gordon Ramsay enjoys the odd curry on the sofa.
And here is the takeaway cook chosen to feed his family.
Madhav Bhujel, 38, who runs the Bombay Bicycle Club delivery kitchen in Battersea, appears to have met Ramsay's exacting standards.
There have been no expletive-filled complaints down the phone, just politely placed Sunday evening orders. Favourites include chicken murgh masala and lamb saag gosht, both of which cost less than £8.
Mr Bhujel said: "I never know who I'm cooking for at the time but I don't get nervous thinking that the Ramsays are sampling my food. I'm confident it's good. It's a great honour to be appreciated by such a highly regarded chef."
Tana Ramsay told the latest issue of the London Magazine that the Bombay Bicycle Club was a local favourite. "It has to be from the Battersea one though, that's the best," she said.
The Ramsays' home is slightly outside the Queenstown Road branch's normal delivery zone but it was happy to make an exception. Operations manager Nischient Sharma said: "They are good customers, ordering at least once a month, often on a Sunday night."
Like many of the other chefs, Mr Bhujel moved to Britain from Nepal, where he worked in five-star restaurants.
The Little Venice branch of the Bombay Bicycle Club has received orders from Jamie Oliver, Keira Knightley and Kelly Osbourne, said managing director Rob Kemp.
He added: "All of the firm's chefs are sent to train in Battersea under Mr Bhujel because he is know to demand nothing but the best from his staff. The Battersea branch is the most pressurised to work in.
"But Madhav runs a tight ship. I suppose he's a bit of a tyrant like Gordon Ramsay because he has high standards. But there's never any swearing - in any language."
Reader views (4)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Ordered from the Chiswick branch tonight (November '08) - food arrived cold and accompanied by stale popadoms, not to mention 30 minutes later than promised. The Tandoori Mixed Grill "for two" had a single prawn - no wonder Keira stays so slim. No reply when I phoned back to complain.
Probably the poorest service I have ever had from a takeaway. Don't waste your money.
- Rob R, London
Had dinner at Bombay Bicycle Hampstead Downshire hill - brilliant atmosphere on a Sunday evening. Thoroughly enjoyed Prawn Arabi and Barra Shahi. Quiet like nothing I had ever devoured before. Really good, worth the venture.
- Gina S, Canary Wharf
I am not surprised the Ramseys enjoy The Bombay Bicycle Club...their food is amazing and I have been a regular customer with them for years now. Their take aways always arrive on time and are always piping hot and when going to one of their restaurants, you can always expect excellent service, amazing food and a great atmosphere. I would recommend them to anyone!
- Anton, London
I had dinner at the Bombay Bicycle Club in Notting Hill two evenings ago. The service for the main course was slow, the restaurant was not busy.
The lamb biryani consisted of small pieces of dried lamb nothing to compare with the same from Khan's in Westbourne Grove which had freshly cooked lamb, and lots of it.
Why did I eat at Bombay Bicycle Club? Westbourne Grove is closed for 10 months for major road works.
- V Tan, London
