The Easter Vacation gets under-way proper. Hector and Marg have stopped off at Crawley to visit Lord Clive and Lady Maggie en-route to München. Curry-Heute is a matter of course, the venue – The Downsman (Wakehurst Drive, Crawley RH10 6DH) is a well established Ritual. There was a sneaky intake of Spicy Food early afternoon as we wandered through Crawley Town Centre. A Meat Samosa from the Oriental Emporium (Southern Ltd, 87 High St., Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1BA) was fondly remembered from last summer. It may have been gone in an instant, but if one is going to snack, what better way?
On entering The Downsman, Mein Host was behind the Bar. Hands were shaken, he came out to welcome the rest of the party and insisted that two tables were combined to give us more eating space. The Waiters were upon us with Menus, the choice is extensive.
A Reliable Curry Website informed Hector that his Dish of Choice was the Lamb Handi with Methi as agreed with Mein Host last year. Lamb Chops to Start, Lamb Chops to continue, Lamb Chops… We agreed on Two Portions to share. Maggie supplemented this with Crispy Bhindi, sadly this had to be transformed into Crispy Aloo when I went up to the Bar to order.
Marg selected one of her Sweet Dishes – Lamb Parsi Dansak. A different Call. Maggie and Clive went down the Lamb Mince route with Keema Mutter and Lamb Rara respectively. Spicy for The Chaps, as it comes for The Chapattis. The Accompaniments were Paratha for The Chaps, Plain for Hector, Aloo for Clive. Marg stuck to her single Minimal Bread with a Tandoori Roti, Maggie ordered Rice, Mushroom Rice.
The Bill
Not yet. Normally one orders at The Bar and pays for everything before the Food is delivered. Not tonight, Mein Host made it clear we would pay at the end. The Rounds of Drinks would all be paid for separately.
Lamb Chops
Sizzling on the Iron Pallet, the Chops can be heard from the moment they leave the kitchen. Sat on a Bed of Onions, the Lamb Chops here as as good as Lamb Chops can possibly be. Dry, and Very Well Spiced – A bit too spicy – said Marg. My lips are burning.
No way – was the Hector reply.
Will you let Clive have the last one?
I’m counting the bones, it’s yours. I’m a Great Big Magnanimous Old Hector.
Maggie’s Crispy Aloo did not prevent her having a Chop. Dry Fritters covered in Methi was Hector’s observation. For Quality Control 
purposes I had to sample a couple. These and the Chops would make an Excellent Main course.
Time Out
Approaching 20.30, there was a need for a break. I asked that The Mains not be brought before 21.00. Mein Host said he would verify we were ready before bringing the remainder of the order. The choice of Ales at The Downsman is not great. Chemical Cider was the Sunday Night – I’m on holiday Tipple. The final day of the Masters from Georgia was on the surrounding screens. Surely The Wean would bottle it?
The Lamb Handi in its distinctive Pot was the first Dish to arrive. By now the Staff were aware of the Photographic Ritual and wanted reminders of the URL of Curry-Heute. Just Google – UK Curry Blog. Calling Cards were handed over at this time.
The Lamb Parsi Dansak was the most Soup-like of all the Dishes. The Keema Mutter and Lamb Rara were suitably Dry.
I could not see much of what I was about to eat and so tipped the contents onto the plate. This is a rarity for Hector, however I could not see a lot of Meat. Five pieces was all I could prod, once on the flat it was established the Lamb was Substantial.
The Masala was more Plentiful than required. Indeed this was visibly Meth-rich with a slightly Creamy texture. A European Masala in many ways. Small Grains of something White permeated the Masala. Ground Nuts? Was my observation. Garlic – concluded Marg. There was an Earthy Flavour to the Handi but it certainly was lacking in Seasoning and Spice. One may conclude the Handi had been sitting out for some time, it had lost its Piping Hot edge. This is what happens when Dining in Company. The Hot Sizzle of the Lamb Chops would have been welcomed here.
On a brighter note, the Paratha was Perfection. Soft and Flaky, why can everyone not prepare a Paratha like this?
Marg’s Lamb Parsi Dansak lived up to the description of Lentils in a Hot Sweet and Sour sauce. Now for a Marg admission – I was too full to appreciate it having eaten lots of starters. I like the texture, it tasted good. There were large pieces of lamb, I prefer small pieces.
Hector has to be amused by his Lady. Who ate all the Chops? Has Bradford finally shown Marg the best way to serve Lamb is in tiny pieces, not Big Lumps?
Clive described his Lamb Rara as being – at the top end of spiciness. I can’t really fault it, the meat was tender, it ticked all the boxes.
Clive has been systematically working his way through The Downsman Menu. It will be interesting to see what he orders next month.
Maggie had to summon a plate of yoghurt. It’s out of my comfort zone, spicy. Once this arrived she fared better. The Rice did disappoint – stuck together, the pieces of Mushroom were small, I prefer big mushrooms.
The Ladies both required Doggie Bags. Who ate all The Lamb Chops?
The Bill
£57.75. Four Mains, Three Starters. Great Value.
The Aftermath
Alarms set for 03.45.