This is the first official day of – Hector Bounces Back – The Summer Holiday where the focus is Bier for The Friends of Hector, and Curry and Bier for Hector. The Curry Houses in Köln Sud and Barbarossaplatz have been covered, time to move around The Ring. Ganesha Indisches Restaurant (Händelstraße 26, 50674, Köln, Deutschland) is just off Rudolph Platz as is Ginti across the street. A Choice. It was the range of Dishes on the displayed Menu which made me select Ganesha.
On entering I was greeted by Mein Host who did not understand my English. I was given one of the standard tables for four and two Menus. At this point I couldn’t understand Mein Host’s Deutsch. Wasser mit Gas was understood.
The Menu showed Great Promise. Lamb Methi Jaipuri was available. Fish Curry Masala too. The Bhuna Ghost Hedrabadi – Juicy pieces of lamb and minced Lamb, prepared with chili, tomatoes and onions in a special spicy gravy, served in a traditional Handi-dish. – was selected. At €12.90, this came with Plain Rice.
Ganesha was simply decorated. The majority of the wall coverings involved photographs of Curry ingredients and smiling ladies. A wall was covered in a large (hand painted I would learn later) Ganesha. There were six fellow diners inside, however, during my visit food was being taken outside. Some had take the opportunity of dining – Alfresco.
Having dismissed the Lunchtime Menu, it was apparent that those who chose from this Menu were receiving their order far quicker than those a la carte, Me! The Bhuna Gosht Hedrabadi was taking a respectable time.
Mein Host brought the Curry and Rice. First impressions of the Curry were very positive. The Masala was Thick with a suggestion of some Cream. The Dark Red Chillies of South Indian Curry were evident.
Spooning the Meat and Masala on to the Rice, this already had the juices flowing. The aroma of the Chillies preceded their devouring. This Curry had Flavour, a Kick and the Seasoning was perfect. It did look very – Suspicious – shall we say? Commentators on a certain Social Medium did question the origins.
Eight decent sized pieces of Tender Lamb. There was enough stiffness to the Meat to require a chew, this was spot on. I was already wondering if this was The Best Köln Curry which has been served to Hector. I was certainly planning a return visit, tomorrow, for the Fish. Curry at Brunchtime, the best was to set oneself up for the day on a Hector Trip.
Mein Host came across eventually. He pointed to my orange polo. He thought I was Dutch when I entered, is that what he spoke to me? We were now communicating in English. I had to to tell him how much I was enjoying the Curry.
The number of times I have been in the Rudolph Platz area and have never spotted this venue, intriguing. Backstreet venues may no longer be invisible thanks to the current technology where everything can be mapped. Is is true there’s a Curry House in Area 51?
The Bill
€14.80. A fair price for a most impressive Curry.
The Aftermath
Calling Cards were exchanged. I had to explain in Deutsch that I would be back tomorrow. Permission to take the photos was granted. The Ganesha on the wall highlighted and I was encouraged to take a photo of the entrance.
The Himalaya on Severinstrasse appears to have gone, so no chance of sampling the biggest Onion Bhajis ever seen. To make up for the disappointment, there was a late night Kölsch at Früh em Veedel. Time for bed, bring on the Fish.
It could be some time before I get around to visiting Ginti.