Imli

Imli is the new name for La Qila on Deansgate. I thought it had completely changed into a different restaurant but it’s not, it’s just changed it’s name, maybe this is due to the confusion of there being another La Qila in Manchester (Rusholme). Either way, they fooled me. Until Friday night that is…
It was 11pm and my friends and I were really hungry and discussing our options. China town is always a good shout but my friend wasn’t up for it. We decided on curry but didn’t want to trek all the way to Rusholme for the Curry Mile or wait for a table at East/​East or Akbars. Our last option, Swadesh, had just closed. So we found ourselves left with only Imli for an option. I couldn’t even find a Unilocal review so I had mixed feelings but I was hungry and tipsy so off we went…
The restaurant was absolutely empty when we arrived so we weren’t sure if they were closing but they ushered us in and sat us in the window, I think to attract more customers (it didn’t work, town was deathly quiet). The restaurant is nicely decorated in quite a modern style, it seemed very clean (everything is white) and there were tons of staff members stood around smiling at us, think it had been a quiet night all around.
We had the usual round of poppadoms (nothing too exciting) and all went straight to main courses as we were starving. I had one of the ‘Sizzler’ platters, the Seafood Mixed Grill one. It was pretty expensive at £15.90 but I was not disapointed, it was huge! Loads of lovely juicy prawns, some really nice marinated cod and haddock, a nice dopiaza saice to go with it (choice of sauces) and special rice included too — not bad at all! My firend was less pleased with her Chicken Tikka Sizzler but I think it was a bit spicier than she is used to and it wasn’t half as big as mine… think it was just a massive case of food envy about mine more than anything else!
Drinks were reasonably priced, we weren’t offered desserts and I couldn’t see any on the menu so not sure it they do them but they had decided to give up and close when we were halfway through our meal so we did feel a little rushed.
I would definitely go back again though, great food, pleasant staff and not too pricey for city centre, plus no wait which is a massive plus with Akbars around the corner quoting two hours wait for a table on Saturday nights!!!