Today, it is exactly Twenty Years since I first set foot in Brighton. The Sunday in the end of May Bank Holiday. Then I had driven down from Glasgow, a Different World, a Very Different Life. I knew Marg back then but not Clive. Clive didn’t know Maggie, but she may have known him…
Having – done – The Pier and The Evening Star it was time to eat. Clive and Maggie took us for a Curry in Brighton some years ago, before the dawn of Curry-Heute evidently.
A well known Travel App showed us the Curry Houses of Brighton on the Map, almost encircling the Evening Star, but nothing that close by. Preston Street stood out, Six Curry Houses on a short stretch leading from Western Road to the Promenade. One Venue appeared to be The One, I phoned to verify they were open as the information was – sometimes opened on a Sunday.
Choice #1 was not at the locus shown. Further checking later revealed it to be in the totally opposite direction. Five Curry Houses on Preston St., we found Three only. Bombay – Indian Cuisine (85-87 Preston Street, Brighton, BN1 2HG) was the Last of Three. A quick check, could be all right.
We were shown to a table mid-room in what was a quite contemporarily designed Curry House. The Ladies remarked later on the quality of the Table Cloths – Linen – I heard. Quite.
Still and Sparkling Water was back in vogue. Marg fancied a Poppadom, so did Clive and Maggie. The Menu said – Papadum – 60p. As Hector@Curry-Heute does not condone being charged for Poppadoms, I declined this and being part of the further charge for the Pickles and Dips. £3.60 would appear on The Bill to cover these. Nonsense.
Starters were waived. Sheek (sic) or Shami Kebabs at £4.25? No thank you.
The Menu had potentially New and Interesting Lamb Dishes. Laal Maans and Sikendari Raan were well described. I would take advice. Meanwhile Maggie was up for Lamb Shathkara further down this section. Hopefully the photo is legible, else the Bombay website has these listed. Marg announced Fish Karahi from nowhere, I hadn’t even considered Fish Today. Clive was all over The Menu looking for Chicken Dansak, I’m sure he orders this to wind me up. Each to his own, but Lord Clive of India is usually more adventurous.
Rice and Breads were discussed, Two Couples, Sharing was planned. Chapattis were £1.30, Coriander and Chilli Naans £2.55. Only Plain Paratha featured, we shall ask for Aloo Paratha, Two off. A Mushroom Rice across the table, and Special Fried Rice, £3.25, would hopefully satisfy Marg and Hector. The others ordered, I negotiated. Describing my desire for Herbs and Minimal Masala in Lamb, the Waiter dismissed my Short List as having too much Sauce. He suggested Lamb Methi – It has Spinach in it.
Spinach is not Methi. Do you have Fresh Methi? I was assured they did. After last night’s Excellent Methi Lamb at The Downsman, the Yardstick for comparison was set.
The Trolley was wheeled out, Three Portions of Curry and the Rest. Nothing for Hector, yet.
Marg’s Fish Karahi had Big Lumps of Ballast, but looked Pleasing. Maggie’s Shathkara looked Splendid. I was now wishing the Waiter had taken me here. This had Minimal Masala and lots of Interesting Bits. The word has – Kara – in it. Hector will get to the route of this term.
The Chicken Dansak was the Classic Bits of Meat drowned in Lentil Soup. By the time the Ritual Photos were secured, the Methi Lamb arrived. It looked OK, the Masala was Minimal.
Chicken Dansak
Adequate, unremarkable, very mild – was Clive’s verdict. I don’t really know what he expects here, but I have recorded him rave about One or Two of these over the years.
Fish Karahi
Marg was quite taken with her Karahi at First. The Fish was lovely but the Masala was spoiled by the Big Vegetables. I didn’t have a sample but could see the Pile of Debris accumulating. Big, Seriously Big pieces of Green Capsicum and Onion. This keeps happening to Marg. When I ask for the Capsicum to be withheld, Marg concurs, else she forgets. This was Ballast. Marg continued – It was Good, but not much of it.
So why charge a Premium for Fish Curry then give London Portions? (i.e. Small)
Lamb Shathkara
Maggie raved about her Dish from the Start. She held up what she thought was Fresh Ginger. The Lamb was Succulent. A Mixture of Ginger and Citrus. Maggie was enjoying a Flavoursome Curry. Hector was encouraged to sample the source of the Citrus, it had the Texture of Peel/Rind. With T’internet at my disposal I uncover Shathkora, aka Citrus Macroptera, a North Bengali Citrus Fruit.
The Best Curry served, so far.
Methi Lamb
The Lamb was Tender. The Meat content definitely Frugal. There was a Hint of Herb, the sought after Intensity of Flavour was not going to come from this Dish. Under-seasoned, lacking in Kick, and probably Excessive Onion. There was no cause for Complaint, if this is how they serve their Curry then so be it. The Encapsulation of Mainstream.
The Rices were both well received, and with an Aloo Paratha on either side of the table, there was enough to share. The Aloo Parathas were suitably Hot on arrival, however, the latter pieces were tending towards becoming Stodgy in the End Game. The Stuffing of Potatoes and Peas was Sufficient. Not as Flaky as has been served where Hector finds an Outstanding Paratha. £2.45 for these.
Marg played her Trump Card and ordered Coffee. This was served with Hot Milk. Success.
The Bill
£62.80. A Fair Price, it would have been even better without the Sundry Charge at the Start.
The Aftermath
Those who sampled the Chocolate were impressed. Chocolate Mints, I’m told. The Waiter brought more. Impressed again.
The Calling Card was given and I believe went on a Tour of the Restaurant. The Waiter returned to verify a Review would appear. And here it is!