Hector tried to dine at Bombay Blues (41 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 6AE) late one Friday afternoon last November and was informed they were not open. Something has changed, the website states there is a lunchtime buffet then a la carte or pre-theatre available thereafter.
Some twenty years have passed since I last dined here, the day I purchased a Harmon Kardon amplifier with Surround Sound from the Hi-Fi Shop next door. Strange, Glasgow has so few Hi-Fi shops these days and nobody can sell me the new Harmon Kardon AV Receiver I currently seek. Michael was my co-diner that day. Is it that long since we had Curry together?
At 16.30 there were two couples already established in Bombay Blues. They occupied the window tables, the young waiter showed me to a small table adjacent to the couple who had just arrived before me. Why do they do this? I would have to spend my entire visit trying not to hear other people’s conversations.
Bombay Blues seats some thirty people on the ground floor reception area and possibly even more in the raised area to the rear. At the boundary lies the receptacles for the Buffet. I would later spot two dishes listed as featuring Methi. Hector does not – do Buffets – that often, unless it is the Ramadan Buffet at The Village. Still, the Buffet here may have potential.
Having been given the Menu, the young waiter returned to draw my attention to the back page – the pre-theatre.
Can I not order a la carte? Apparently I could.
Pre-Starter – a new term for Hector as written at the top of the Menu.
£3.95 for Two Poppadoms and Dips. They must be kidding. Is anyone stupid enough to fall for this, or do so many take the Buffet option this scenario is avoided? Imagine people ordering Two Pre-Starters, ouch! Sundries should be Complimentary!
The Chefs Special Dish was described thus – The dish created with herbs and spices handpicked by the chef. It has a highly fragrant, thick sauce which is simply mouth watering. At £11.95 a Pound more in Lamb (?), I had to check what I would be receiving for my investment. Chicken or Lamb, the rest is up to the chef – I was informed. This reply did not impress. I was ready to describe – The Hector Curry – but was by now feeling irritated. This sense was aggravated by a wean, offspring of an off-duty staff member, who was determined to destroy any calm idyll. Fortunately some very mellow music played at a subtle volume attempted to recreate – The Norm.
Lamb Achari it would be then – pieces sautéed traditionally with garlic, ginger, pickle, cumin, onion, mustard & fresh coriander. £3.00 cheaper than the Lottery Curry. As ever I asked for any Capsicum to be withheld. Special Rice (Mixed Vegetables) at £3.50 would be the accompaniment. Expensive Rice – writes The Blogger who is just back from Deutschland where all Rice is inclusive. For this money I was hoping for something – Special. Cauliflower, Potatoes at least, the exotic, perhaps…
During my wait I was able to observe Prawn Puri and a Chickpea Curry, both looked fine. Ah, here comes the Achari Gosht.
Smashing the Mound of Pilao Rice revealed Mushrooms and Peas. In what way was this – Special? The Quantity was Sensible, enough for one person, enough to share if Bread had been ordered.
Achari Gosht
Spooning the large pieces of Tender Lamb on to the Rice I stopped counting at twelve. Most of this Lamb would be halved. This was an Excellent Portion Size. The Achari was Piping Hot and Well-Seasoned. Oil was very visible in the base of the karahi, off putting for some. Not excessive. However the Onion was Excessive in the extreme. The Onion pieces were not as large as some venues have served but there was certainly an over-abundance. Was this Dish meant to have Capsicum too? None were mentioned in the above description.
The Masala was not as Thick as the Hector optimum, but still, fine. This was Achari. Where was the Pickle? There was no sign of it in the Mash, and no Citrus Flavour emerged. Was this Achari?
When the Young Waiter came over to ask the customary question I had to ask – Would this Dish have included Capsicum if I hadn’t ask for it to be withheld? The positive answer explained the Onions. Surely Chefs and Waiters can be more imaginative than this? There are other Interesting Vegetables, but if Mushrooms and Peas are considered to be – Special – at Bombay Blues, then maybe not.
Bombay Blues, a well established Glasgow Curry House serving the Mainstream. The recent re-calibration of Mainstream means Level of Flavour may well be below what Hector seeks. The portion size did impress.
The Bill
£15.70. City Centre Prices. Beware of the Pre-Starter.
The Aftermath
More staff were arriving. A charming lady took the cash and accepted the Calling Card gracefully.