The early flight Dan Sath saw Hector consume Two Breakfasts, one at Glasgow Airport, the other at Chez Olive. The trip also saw Hector check in two bags, a Stelios Dispensation permitted Marg’s Bag to fly without her. Waiting for Marg to arrive from Swansea at 20.30 meant a hunger had been acquired. Meanwhile Lord Clive and Lady Maggie were intent on returning to the Crawley Folk and Ale Festival (sic. say it aloud) which they had left a few short hours before. After three days at the G-RAF the thought of another Beer Festival was, well received…
Drinking Alcohol in the Sunshine is a no go area for Hector and so we had to sit in the Tent where the Live Acts were performing. Shall we say the Quality varied…
Oakham (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire) Citra, one of the Ales that was never Tapped at the G-RAF, was the Main Attraction. What happened to it?
A Quality Curry at The Downsman, what Hector really needed
Clive had a Cunning Plan – meet Marg at Gatwick and bring her back by bus whilst Maggie and Hector moseyed to The Downsman (Wakehurst Drive, Southgate, Crawley, RH10 6DH). This would avoid a Forty Minute wait for connecting train to Crawley. The Dutch had just beaten Mexico, the Costa Ricans had yet to beat Greece. The World Cup was very much in the background, getting The Lamb Chops sorted was the Main Priority. However, Mein Host for this evening had other ideas.
There is a large group in this evening and they are having the Lamb Shank, a Special. You must try this.
I must have the Lamb Handi, I am under instructions from your Chef. (cf last visit) Indeed I went to check out the Large Group of Chaps devouring Quality Curry. This Venue is certainly now on the Crawley Curry Map, to think it was just a rather down at heel Pub not so long ago. Clive had mentioned Lamb Chops more than Once in the course of the day. Marg loves them too. Maggie expressed no preference. Hector was till recovering from having to share a Single Portion with Jim and Clive last month.
The Bill #1
The Waiter who brought said Lamb Chops on the last visit served me again this evening. Two Portions, Cash up front, £16.90. I kid you not. Two Portions, Six Chops in each. Where did the reported – around £3.00 – come from on my last visit?
The Chops announced their own arrival. Mein Host brought the Two Sizzling Cast Iron Platters, Chops sitting on a Bed of Sliced Onions – Seriously Sizzling. Back off, – Danger, Will Robinson! (That’s for Bernard, who sang the praises of this Humble Blog yesterday, at length. Too hot to handle. Let’s get tore in.
Three Dips were provided, perhaps it was Sacrilege to consider these? Nevertheless, it was better to try everything. To say the Chops were Spicy… Tasty… Tender… Truly Amazing – would be an understatement. Marg loved them. Hector was finishing his Share and Clive was still sucking the bone on his first. I refrained from taking a photo of Maggie with a face-full of Chop. Most undignified:
Yvonne wouldn’t have done that.
When Mein Host came to remove The Debris I had to ask:
Why is there not simply a conveyor belt bringing Lamb Chops to the table?
Mein Host had other Plans.
The advantage of The Downsman’s – pay up front – system is that one can determine the length of break between courses. Let – The Starters – go down.
The Bill #2
£31.50. Now what did we have for this?
Marg and Maggie both knew they could not manage a Curry after the Lamb Chops. Sides would suffice. I had spotted Two Portions of Aloo Gobi on the counter when I had arrived, Clive and I were certainly going to share a Side Portion. Maggie decided to have this as her – Main. I planted – Prawn Puri – in Marg’s mind, this worked. The Lamb Handi (Lamb on-the-bone) as recommended by The Chef was Hector’s choice. Clive had spent a considerable time deliberating. He has not had the Lamb Methi since his First Visit. It is Wonderful, I know. A long overdue reunion. Three Aloo Parathas would accompany. The Crawley Two have apparently abandoned Peshwari/Keema Naan.
The Young Waiter was keen to know where he could see last month’s Photos. The Calling Card was issued. Mein Host had the Curry-Heute Website up on his phone in no time.
Having ordered this Mountain of Curry, Mein Host announced that we were having Lamb Shank too! Clive took a second or so to realise what was happening.
KHHIP – I explained.
This is where the Separate Order Strategy certainly pays off. More time to digest the Lamb Chops.
Half Man, Half Sheep
As Myles na gCopaleen may have considered, if Hector eats any more Lamb, he will grow a Woolly Coat
The Lamb Handi was served in a Tall Pot as was the case when I last had this at The New Karahi Palace.
A Thinner Onion-based Masala than I normally seek, One could immediately tell this was not Simply Soup. The Aloo Gobi was totally dry up top with a Mash at the base. The Aloo Paratha arrived quartered – No! It also looked a bit soft, no sign of the desired flakiness. The Paratha was a disappointment.
Where to Start?
The Vegetables tempted me First. Oh yes! Spice and Seasoning, Exquisite! As discussed with the Chef last month, he knows the importance of Salt in Curry. I could see This and Two Portions of Lamb Chops making a Perfect Meal.
The Handi indeed was Lamb on-the-bone. As the eating ritual progressed so the presence of Bones became more and more appreciated. There was Quantity here, there was also the shreds of the Favourite Green Herb in the Base of the Pot mixed in with the Masala… Methi, Man! You’re either into it or you ain’t.
Marg found her Prawn Puri to be Sweet, but they are. She found the Bread to be – a bit Greasy – but accepts that is the style. Maybe Marg had her fill at the Lamb Chops stage?
Maggie said her Aloo Gobi- tasted grand. She wished it had been Wetter. Que? She has now had it explained why it must never be so. Yvonne wouldn’t have said that.
Maggie would later ask Mein Host how her Paratha had been made. Does she too have Plans?
Clive’s Lamb Methi looked so good, I wondered why I don’t have four stomachs, and why I hadn’t ordered this Dish. Once again the Masala was Thick with a Creamy Influence and Dark with Methi.
Clive – It was Memorable. It reminded me of my first Visit. I haven’t had it since. Very Tender Lamb.
More Lamb Chops, Clive?
And so any normal Curry Review would end here, but no – the Lamb Shank.
Fortunately we were not given a Full Portion, but a Cut. The Dish looked familiar. I have had it and been disappointed in the past. The Village do it well. The Flavour of the Lamb dominated in my senses. I do like when the Flavour of Lamb comes through, else why bother?
Mild in comparison to the Handi, this was still a Flavoursome Dish. I would say I can see why, however, I was reaching the Threshold of Pleasure, where Over-Indulgence kicks in and it’s best to quit.
Back to Chez Olive for the Penalty Kicks.