It is the Bank Holiday Monday which Hector actually gets. The alarm was set for 04.50, time to reach Gatwick for the 07.00 flight to Glasgow. It would be a long day. What better way to celebrate a Statutory Holiday than visit Curry-Heute’s Top Ranked Glasgow Curry House?
En route to Yadgar (148 Calder St., Govanhill, Glasgow, G42 7QP) I popped in to the Desi Curry Palace (144 Allison St, Glasgow, G42 8RP) to check on the progress of their new Micro-Seating Area. I was in the process of explaining to The Chap behind the Counter what my business here was when a familiar face emerged from the Kitchen – Waris, from Lasani Grill along the road. Interesting.
He said – It’s a long story – and that he has moved on. Now Hector has a dilemma. On June 7 there is a plan for a mass visit to Lasani Grill to enjoy once again the White Karahi. It is Waris’ creation, what to do? Follow The Chef!
And so Tracey when you read this, fear not. We shall have the White Karahi at the appointed time, but in a New Venue for us. Next problem. How do we fit in? With Four High Chairs along the Bench taking up most of the Micro-Seating Area, and a Table for Four which would never seat The Company there will have to be further consultation. Hopefully the Photos should illustrate the layout.
The Curry on display also looked Good. The Prices are Very Favourable.
And so to Yadgar
Normally I contact Shkoor, Mein Host, in advance to ensure the Wonderful Goshat Karahi is awaiting. When Dining Alone, I have tended of late to turn up and see what is on offer. The Daily Specials do rotate.
Naveed was outside at a vehicle collecting Pizza Boxes. The Locals love Yadgar Pizza. The New Young Waiter and The Chef whose name I don’t have were outside also. A welcoming committee?
Shkoor and his Father, Mr Anwar were behind the Counter. A Holiday Monday and Everyone at work, Perfect!
The New Signage is due to be installed soon, the Venue remains nameless at present. I enquired about the BBC, they never showed. Not to worry, I had a Bonus Yadgar Visit. There was no mention of the planned interior renovations. At least the premises are no longer shrouded in scaffolding.
I glanced at the Dishes on display. No Vegetable Curry which is always Astonishingly Wonderful. I advised Shkoor of my plan to have a Starter whilst a Lamb Dish was prepared. There was Lamb on-the-bone on display. I assumed this would be Tweaked to suit The Hector Palate.
Shkoor suggested I have Keema to start. With Peas and Potatoes? We agreed on Keema Mutter, not a Heavy Duty Meal to start. A Chapatti with the Keema, a Chapatti with the Main Course.
Dry? As Dry as Chef can make it.
You’re a man after my own heart.
It was 15.35 when I took my Usual Spot at the Rear-Left. I heard Shkoor instruct the New Chap to send Mango Rubicon, Poppadoms, and Spiced Onion to the Gentleman sitting on his own. That would be me then. Salad came too. Three other Groups were Dining.
The Complimentary Bits were a suitable pastime until a Massive Plate of Keema Mutter was presented. Dry? There was absolutely no sign of Oil, None! I didn’t detect Methi either, however, the Palate has perhaps overdosed on this in the last Two Days. This was Keema with a Kick! Chopped Fresh Green Chillies, the Fat Ones, were throughout. This was a Starter? I’ve seen smaller Main Courses.
It was agreed there would be a Timeout to let the Keema settle. The Lamb Main Course was brought at 16.45. Now what was it?
The Lamb was on-the-bone. The Bones were actually a welcomed sight, it meant the Dish was not as Voluminous as it first appeared. The Thick and Minimal Masala was not giving up the Yadgar Taste. Even when the Fresh Chapatti was dipped in the Oil it was giving little away.
Now the Meat has intrigued me. More Chewy than any Lamb Dish ever presented to Hector, I did not recognise the usual Lamb Cuts. The Flatness made me recall – Skirting – as sold by the Family Butcher back in the 1960s. Mutton, most likely, but then Goat came to mind. I have texted Shkoor for confirmation… Once again there was a Sizeable Kick, more Fat Green Chillies. Never a problem for The Hector.
At the base of the plate was an Oily, Fibrous residue of the Masala. Here lay the Classic Yadgar Taste.
The New Chap asked if he could get me anything else. Naveed asked the same moments later. The Chef, Mr. Arshad came out to take his bow. I knew it was for you and so I made it Good.
Service!
The Bill
£12.00. With Main Dishes at £5.50, or less, and Chapattis at a nominal 40p, this is the Going Rate.
The Aftermath
I pointed at the Meat Dish on display. Naveed said it was Tinda (turnip) Gosht. That is not what Hector had.
There was the realisation that one could eat Curry at a different venue everyday of the week within metres of Allison St./Victoria Rd. The New Anand has never even been mentioned on these pages. Hector used to be there every other week back in the day.
There is a cluster of Quality Curry Outlets, some even have Table Cloths.