This is Day +1 of Hector Bounces Back. The Düsseldorf Six have gone their separate ways. Hector has tagged a Day in Amsterdam on to The Trip. There is an Amsterdam Curry House which made such a positive impression in the Summer of 2013 – Hector’s Holländische Hootenany, so what on Earth is Hector doing at Ganesha (Geldersekade 5 HS, 1011 EH Amsterdam, Nederland) ?
Moti Mahal reportedly does not open until 17.00, yet it was afternoon when I was last there. The Sky was turning Dark, the Forecast Downpour was imminent, I had a choice of Two Venues right outside Amsterdam Centraal, both were rated highly on other Websites, Ganesha I came to First and it had Lamb Karahi. Surely this would be better than the Fiasco of Two Days ago in Duisburg? Given the number of Curry Houses in Amsterdam and the Number that are Highly Rated, Expectations are elevated, but weren’t they on Thursday in Duisburg when I saw the word – Punjabi?
One of the Two Young Ladies on duty showed me to a small Table for Two. She took my Drinks Order.
Vodka with Gas? Eh?
We Scots don’t say – Woa’a.
There were Six Fellow Diners. There would be Six more soon when the Skies Erupted. A Classic late afternoon Convectional Rainstorm. Mein Host took the Order. I made sure there was none of the Dreaded Green Vegetable, this was not a problem. In fact when he served the new arrivals, I heard him say they will cook anything anyway you want. As it should be. Unless it is Puréed, how can Capsicum already be – in the Curry – as some Waiters have insisted over the years?
Methi Paratha, oh yes, I had to have one. Hector is having Methi Withdrawal Symptoms.
Do you want it Spicy or Normal?
Spicy is Good. I have changed my response it appears after the Ass-kicking in their Namesake Restaurant in Köln.
Two Dips, One of which was the almost Ubiquitous (currently) Tamarind, accompanied some Bits of Poppadom. This was the First Food intake of the day, it was well after 16.00.
Either the Table was High or the Chair was Low. It was like an Interview. With the Inclusive Boiled Rice and the Karahi placed on the metal warmer, it was hard to see inside the Bowl. First Impressions were Good. It was when I saw the Photo that I realised the Quality of the Masala and that the Oil was collecting, just the way I like it, Baby, I don’t want to live forever…
The Methi Paratha was Poor. Half Roti, half Paratha it lacked the Flaky Texture which is sought after. However, it was Permeated with hopefully, the Key Ingredient – Fresh Methi.
Methi in My Mouth
This was easily The Best Curry of The Trip. There was No Nonsense. A Worthy Quantity of High Quality Lamb. The Masala was prepared as it should be, a Thick Texture, Onion Based, The Real McCoy. The Onion Strips gave a Grittiness to the Masala. The Rice had been Sprinkled with Spice, possibly Cinnamon, and Other Bits, One suspects these were further adding to the aforementioned Gritty Texture and most certainly the Overall Melange of Flavours.
This was an Excellent Karahi.
There was a Side Salad which was also part of the Serving. This was never touched.
The Bill
€22.75. Spicy and Pricey indeed.
The Aftermath
Mein Host was busy serving other Customers and so the Calling Card was received by the Two Charming Young Ladies.
There are many Amsterdam Curry Houses still to explore, however, short of finding one with a Chef who has worked in Glasgow/Bradford, this will be hard to beat.