The Teak N Ash lay derelict for years, there was a rumour of an application for a New Helensburgh Curry House. Meanwhile Masala Twist appeared half a block away. Finally Annaya’s Grill House (80-82 West Princes St., Helensburgh, G84 8XD) opened at the end of 2014. Helensburgh now has four Curry Houses plus four standalone Takeaways, all this for some 17,000 people. Who is doing the threshold calculation? Curry-Heute reports today on Visit #1.
Entering around 17.30, I was shown to a table for two, I was not – The Lone Diner. Annaya’s is reportedly open from Noon each day, whether this is the Takeaway and full Restaurant has yet to be established. The Waiter, who would turn out to be Mein Host, and latterly identified as – Zak, brought a paper Pre-theatre Menu and a Main Menu. The Pre-theatre had two courses at £8.95 or £10.95 for three. Two quid more for Gulab Jamun. I had time to note that the Vegetable Dishes were also available as Sides, but for £5.50? Mmm.
The Specials – was where The Hector would concentrate this evening, all at £9.50 for Tender Lamb. There are no prizes for guessing that the Special Karahi was where Hector would look first. Let’s have some fun: A hot of spices sautéed in a rich tarka base of plum tomatoes, green peppers, onions and capsicums with a touch of yoghurt, simmered in the Indian wok.
Green Peppers and Capsicum, hold me back.
The Achari would be the fallback if Karahi negotiations failed: Tantalising tandoori spices with all the goodness flavour of the bhoona, with an added generous portion of ground mixed pickle for that extra bite.
In the midst of all this there was a text from Marg. Realising that a) This was Hector’s late Thursday in Helensburgh, and b) no dinner would be waiting at home, Marg elected to join me at Annaya’s. Only later did she remember we are dining at The Akash tomorrow.
I put myself on hold during which time three more diners arrived. Diner #1 was in raptures about his Curry. He told Mein Host – how beautiful – his meal was. There’s a term I don’t think has appeared in Curry-Heute before. What did he have? We shall never know.
Marg joined me and the table suddenly felt a bit on the small side. Zak admitted that they had been ordered online and turned out not to be the anticipated size. We are not having London Portions was my consolation. Well I hoped we weren’t.
Chicken Chasni with Boiled Rice. Who on earth orders this? And in Hector’s company? Perhaps Marg was already planning for tomorrow?
More fun with Hector:
I always try the Karahi when visiting a new restaurant. I cannot help but notice the Karahi has green peppers and capsicum. Is it possible to have neither?
Zak admitted that this was a typo. (just one?) Two admissions in five minutes. I asked if Potato could be provided instead of the Green Mush. This was not a problem.
To keep one abreast of the Helensburgh Curry Scene, it was the waiter’s insistence in the Masala Twist that the Capsicum was already in the Karahi which has made me look less favourably at that venue. The – replacement Aloo – this evening would hopefully prevent the Onion Overdose which too many Chefs resort to when their Ballast option is removed.
A Vegetable Paratha at £3.25, a pound dearer than the Plain Paratha would accompany.
No Starters. I pointed out to Marg that Poppadoms had never been mentioned and did not appear on the Menu. I think I approve.
What if this place is good? I said to Marg during the wait.
Orange Wok
The Chicken Chasni was everything Hector avoids in a Curry. However, I get to review this which otherwise I would not. Did I sample it? No way, I could tell, and Marg told me.
This was Tomato Soup with Cream stirred in at the point of serving, not the Onion and Tomato based Masala that Hector craves. Marg knew I was cringing, but Curried on regardless.
Sweet and Creamy, pity about the colour – was her verdict. She insisted it was Orange and Not Red.
Marg enjoyed her choice – Easy eating.
The Right Stuff
The Special Karahi (modified) and Paratha were squeezed on to the table, not a problem in the end.
The Paratha looked substantial, a great Colour, a decent looking Thickness. It was not Flaky as stuffed Paratha tend not to be. Marg was in there first – You’ll love this – she informed me. Whose website is this?
The karahi was over-filled with Potato, I could see no Lamb. I went on a Lamb Safari and found possibly six good-sized pieces of Tender Lamb. There was much more Potato. The first dip of the Paratha brought instantaneous pleasure. The Seasoning was there, but from where? Marg was right, it happens. The combination of Karahi and Paratha was perfect, even more Potato.
Keen observers will note that that Hector’s Favourite add-in – Fresh Methi – has not been mentioned. I felt it was fair to discover what Annaya’s had to offer before I started the Hector Tweaks. Methi would have put this Karahi in the Top Flight.
There was a Cumin (Seed) Blast, this Curry had Flavour. The Texture impressed. I did not hit the Fresh Coriander Mother-lode until reaching the karahi base. Meanwhile, any thought of there not being enough Lamb was dismissed. The large chunks required the right amount of chewing, the Potatoes provided Balance, my required Interesting Vegetable.
Nearing the end, I realised just how good the Masala was. The Dry Texture permeated the Dish, as I desire, however I could now clearly see the Mash of Onion and Tomato. This looked so like that served at The New Karahi Palace, a major complement. With Methi, well…
There was time for coffee
Marg ordered a White Coffee, Hector finished off his Sparkling Water. Mein Host apologised for the lack of Machine Coffee, yet to be installed. The Coffee was on-the-house.
Thank you, Zak.
The Bill
A New Girl started behind the counter whilst we finished. She gave way to Mein Host who had previously asked me to give the Karahi marks out of ten. I did not reveal my secret.
£27.90. This is perfectly acceptable.
The Aftermath
Mein Host told us he has come from Carluke and this is his new project, and how long it took to get up and running. His card was handed over with something very welcoming written on the back.
It was time to exchange Cards. All the positives had been accrued before the exchange of cards.
Capsicum was discussed. There was an acceptance that Pureed Capsicum as an integral part of the Masala is fine, it’s the Ballast I object to, plus the aftertaste. Then we got on to Fresh Methi, next time?
Talking Curry, a favourite Hector pastime… Zak, a very pleasant Curry and a great chat.
Helensburgh now has Four Curry Houses. Hector suspects this is one too many. Annaya’s deserves to survive based on this visit. Somehow I don’t think this will be my last. But, for Hector, Helensburgh Curry Nights will soon fade in frequency.