The Aylesbury Society....
caring for all the town's built environment
‘Constantly in the spotlight at The Shensha’
by
Frances KingWe’d been wondering what was going to replace the Old Plough & Harrow in Old Stoke Road on the Gyratory for a long time. Rumour had it that it was going to be a restaurant, and rumour was right. The Shensha, previously in Cambridge Street, was relocating to the Gyratory due to the expiry of the Cambridge Street lease. Shrewd thinking by the proprietor from a business point of view, bearing in mind that the new Law Courts would be opening opposite, hopefully in the not too distant future.
Indian is one of our favourite cuisines, and the venue is ideal for us, being within easy walking distance from our home. So two days after it opened we paid a visit with a couple of friends, and were welcomed warmly by the proprietor.
Unfortunately, having been shown to our table promptly on arrival, we then had to wait nearly 30 minutes for a waiter to take our orders. We were thankful that we had taken our own drinks along (the restaurant being unlicensed) because another long delay ensued before the food arrived, but at least we could have a drink.
Roger and I love Indian food (having visited all of those in Aylesbury over the years, and quite a few in India!) and we decided that the food here was one of the best that we had sampled locally. We soon forgot the lengthy wait for the food, but we did decide to give the dessert and coffee a miss in case we were still there at midnight!
Our only other criticism was the lack of ‘atmosphere’. The restaurant is a very ‘open’, large room. The unadorned walls made it seem even larger and a little ‘cold’, and the startlingly bright crystal chandeliers throughout made you feel as though you were sitting under the spotlight. Thank goodness we weren’t sitting directly under one! Not the place if you’re looking for a romantic candlelit dinner!!
The proprietor was anxious for our comments when we left and we did suggest that more subdued overhead lighting would be more atmospheric, with perhaps a lamp or candle on each table. He said he would take this on board, but we understand from subsequent diners that you still need to wear tinted glasses.
A must place to visit if you like Indian food.
