The Company was out in force today, Fifteen of us assembled at Hawkshead’s Spring Beer Festival in Staveley, Cumbria, not to be confused with Staveley in Derbyshire. Who booked accommodation there? Only four of us were on for Curry-Heute, the choice of venue was simple, a quick return to Nice & Spicy (2 Church St., Lancaster, LA1 1NP). A quick return was planned but walking along Church St. from the other end we failed to see this Indian Takeaway. Howard, Tracey and Hector took refuge in The Sun and had time to pinpoint the locus. This also gave Steve a chance to catch us up, he was still in transit, somewhere.
Entering Nice & Spicy around 20.00, one of the three stools was occupied by a Lady assembling a Takeaway order in a thermal bag, this was Sue. She smiled in recognition and immediately produced her phone. Not remembering the Website name I set her T’internet Challenge – Google – UK Curry Blog. And so Curry-Heute was accessed, being first up on this Google Search. She was amused by the use of Doris and introduced me to Nora behind the counter who was today’s Doris. Last night’s Doris was actually called Mickey. Nora was soon into the Spirit of our visit, excellent.
Sham was again called for, hands were shaken, he had now accessed Curry-Heute and knew what I was about. Three more of the same, Paratha’s too. Being busy we were again advised of the Thirty Minute wait, once more Poppadoms and Dips were provided in a flash to keep us amused. Steve arrived at the end of the Nibbles, the order was duly increased.
An hour and a half was the waiting time customers were being advised over the phone. One reads of customers being frustrated at how long a Takeaway Delivery can be. This business is doing very well indeed. This evening they had Diners and Standing Room only.
Nora brought out the Curry then the Parathas. One of three female front of house staff, they were all dressed as Waitresses despite being a Takeaway Venue, very formal and a good touch. This place has set itself a high standard. At times the front of house was mobbed, at others empty as the Delivery Drivers came in waves.
The Curry looked exactly as it did last night. There was Tender Lamb, lots of it, in a Thick, Dry Masala. Topped with Fresh Coriander this was The Business. Howard and Tracey were instantly impressed, this was Wonderful Curry. For Steve and Hector it was still Damned Good but having been blown away last night it was difficult to reach Nirvana again. The Seasoning was a tad under. However, the Spice level was subtle then creeped in. The Copious Tender Lamb was cooked to Perfection, the Flavour of the Lamb itself came through strongly. The Minimal Masala again at Bradford Levels. Sham would apologise later for not being able to spend enough time in preparation and also with us, he/they, were very busy.
A Bespoke Lamb Curry
The Parathas were again Thin and Flaky with a bit of Crispness, definitely the Best of Accompaniments for this Superb Dish. We ate, three of us perched on stools, behold the plastic forks. Steve had to stand.
This was a lot of Curry, double the Portion served in the Mainstream. Tracey was well beaten.
Can you do a Takeaway – I asked one her behalf?
The Bill
£27.95. This paid after eating, unlike last night where we paid in advance. For Four with Bottled Water, Hector knows how to show people a good time..
The Aftermath
Sham had his photo taken once again. I shall probably miss the Summer Festival at Staveley and so it will be next year when I’m back in Lancaster. I shall return to Nice & Spicy, this has put Lancaster firmly on Hector’s Curry Radar.
Update
Nice & Spicy closed in 2021.