Glasgow – Dakhin – South Indian Cuisine in The Merchant City

If there is a Curry equivalent of train-spotting then Hector has to admit that there is an ongoing programme of visiting every Curry House in Glasgow. After today there will be two city centre venues, and two more in the West End still to be visited. What about the East End?

I entered the Dakhin (89 Candleriggs, Merchant City, Glasgow, G1 1NP) yesterday just after 14.00 to find them closing for an afternoon break. Today I arrived at 13.40 but believe they were open all day Saturday. The same Waiter who declined service was there to greet me, I recognised him…

I was shown to a table at the window. Across the road lies the City Hall. October, 1974, Can performing Live. IMHO – The Greatest Gig, Ever.

Dakhin is a South Indian Restaurant, not necessarily my Favourite style of Curry. The Sri Lankan Trip put me off Coconut in Curry, however, if needs must… I fancied Fish, Fish Chettinad to be precise. It wasn’t on the Menu. The Menu showed the Fish and Prawn Dishes on the £20.00 mark. Eh? This is way more than Hector is prepared to pay for Curry, we’re not in Schweiz. The Lamb Dishes were @ £15.00, still steep but this is where I am. One typically expects to pay £13.50 for a Main Course, Accompaniment and Soft Drink in Glasgow. This is The Merchant City, dine here – pay more.

Veinchina Mamsam – Boneless cubes of lamb cooked with caramelised onions, ginger, crushed black pepper and flavoured with star anise – was the stand out Dish – without Coconut. (£13.50) Nimmakai Annam – Rice cooked with lemon juice and turmeric, tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves and lentils – would accompany. (£3.50)

With South Indian Cuisine, Rice is mandatory, One anticipated a Soupy Masala.

The Waiter brought a bowl of Broken Poppadoms with Dips. No fuss no charge, as it should be.

The Middle Dip was a Dark Colour, what was this? It took me aback initially then the Palate adjusted. A Vinegar Base? Then it dawned on me – Tamarind! I add this to most Curry Dishes at time of cooking, I’ve never had it this way. The Young Waiter who brought the Main Course confirmed – Tamarind.  Tasty!

With seats to the side of the bar and even behind the bar, Dakhin is quite a spacious upstairs venue. I estimated around seventy places in all. The design is minimalist with wooden screens suspended from the ceiling and adorning the walls. No Tablecloths! Posh prices in an informal setting.

Lemon Rice–  said the Young Waiter as he placed the Curry and Rice Bowls on the table. The Original Waiter had disappeared, his shift over. The Rice was Yellow with Black Specks, Turmeric and Mustard Seeds indeed. There was enough for Two. So beware if a couple, do not order two portions of Rice at this venue.

The Curry had the Soupy Masala which I tend to avoid, but for the purposes of this Blog has to be endured on occasion. With Rice it works, with Chapattis there would be a terrible mess.

The Lamb was plentiful, I stopped counting when I reached Twelve; the pieces were substantial. The £13.50 now felt justified. I do not mind paying for a Good-sized Portion, and this most certainly was. The Lamb oozed Quality. How Chefs get the Lamb this Tender without it turning to Mush escapes this Commentator.  I wrote this two days ago. The Masala was Onion based, 1960s-style Curry. The Black Pepper was distinctive. That this was South Indian was most evident, totally Different Flavours from my Punjabi Norm. I realised I was thoroughly enjoying this, Mother’s Curry.

The Bill

£12.20.  There was a £6.75 Pre-theatre deduction. I hadn’t known about this. The Dakhin website gives the times when this offer is on. Behold – Full Portions at a Sensible Price! Saturday Afternoon, the time to Dine here!

The Aftermath

A new waiter – Peet – accepted the Calling Card and glanced at the Website on the Trusty Samsung. I described my avoidance of Coconut, he explained the many uses of not just the Flakes but the entire Tree. I related how much I had (unexpectedly) enjoyed my Curry. A Very Pleasant Chap, very engaging, unlike…

Across the road lies Dhabba, their Sister Restaurant which serves North Indian Cuisine. Marg and I have dined there Twice and were not impressed. That was in the years before Curry-Heute. Be warned, Hector is coming.