Article 1 - Worcester Evening News - December 19, 1987

IT'S a brave restaurant that invites its customers to fill in a questionnaire, especially when it's a new restaurant, because there are bound to be teething troubles.

But so far the reports about the new Indian restaurant in St Johns (where Foggy's Bike Shop used to be) have been glowing.

The Pasha specialises in Northern Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine and it's so far out of the rut of normal Indian restaurants as to be unique. Its customers think so too and in the fortnight it's been open their comments have been glowing.

It's light and airy, with Laura Ashley wallpaper and water fountains playing in the foyer. Drapes of material create a subtle marquee effect and there are lots of plants everywhere. It also closes at 11.30pm at night and the aim is to attract a clientele who will do justice to the sophisticated cuisine.

The men behind The Pasha are Bodrul Hoque and Shabur Rahman, both of whom have considerable experience in the catering trade and Shabur, in particular, has been chef at some of the top Indian restaurants in the Midlands.

However,, this is their first venture of their own and they are drawing on all their expertise to create an upmarket eating place which is intended to rate alongside the highest class of European cuisine.

All their spices are mixed and blended and all the bread is cooked over charcoal, right there in the kitchens, while the menu features a wide range of dishes, some of which just wouldn't be found at the run of the mill establishment.

Their fish section is particularly strong and there is a good choice of vegetarian items. In addition there is a comprehensive sweet trolley and an excellent selection of liqueurs. The restaurant, of course, is fully licensed with a good wine list, which includes the very drinkable Indian wine Veena and also Indian beer.