Buffet Price
Monday – Thursday – £11.95.
Friday – Sunday – £12.95.
The Village (119 West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA) Buffet served during Ramadan has featured before in these pages, now known, it is not to be missed. The sun does not set in Glasgow until near enough 22.00 at this time of year. Today is the Solstice, The Longest Day. This meant that for the majority of the Diners at The Village this evening, an extraordinary fast had been required. Marg and Hector had minimal food intake today so as to maximise our enjoyment of what is the Finest Buffet ever encountered. The Desi Main Courses rotate daily, one cannot guarantee that a particular favourite will be available, though disappointment is most unlikely.
Arriving just after 22.00, the place was busy for this late on a Sunday Night. We were shown to a window table for two by the Head Waiter. In the Buffet Queue, a Chap started to explain to Marg and Hector why the place was so busy at this time, Welcoming.
Mr. Baig (Mein Host) and his son, Kassif, were manning The Starters. These were being served rather than being on a help-oneself basis. Marg was up for Samosa and what looked like Lamb Tikka but turned out to be a (Minced) Lamb Kebab. Hector had considered bypassing The Starters so as to maximise enjoyment of The Mains, however, I found myself with pieces of Fish in Batter which was significantly different from any Fish Pakora I have encountered. Very Good. The aforementioned Wonderfully Spiced Lamb Kebab was another new experience, it’s too tempting to keep eating these – Snack/Starters. The Chapli Kebab was up to the expected standard. The star of the show was the Ribs which Mr. Baig insisted I sample. These were approaching the style of the White Karahi that have featured in these pages before but never seen at The Village. Minimal Red Spices, the accent on Salt and Pepper. On our departure I noticed in the Takeaway section that Afghan Cuisine was on offer, Kebabs and Breads from what I could see. These may not be particularly the style of food Hector seeks, but shall be investigated further.
The Young Waitresses were puzzled as to the time Marg and Hector sat once the debris from The Starters had been cleared. We were taking the time to let The Starters digest, something that people tend not to do in a Buffet situation. I never put away as much in a Buffet as would when tackling a Half Kilo.
The Lamb Lahori was on-the-bone, the Dish that seduced The Hector most. The Masala was Thin, the Meat was Very Soft, not the optimum scenario after all. However the Seasoning and Spice saved this Dish from Blandness. A piece of Naan was the sole Accompaniment. No more Bread.
Next up was a plate with Aloo Chana and the Lamb Nihari. The Masala in the Aloo Chana was Very Rich, again the Seasoning and Spice put this above the Average. With an Earthy Flavour, this combination of Chickpeas and Potatoes was a good break between the two Lamb Dishes.
Only a Modest amount of the Lamb Nihari had been taken. This Dish was Heavy in comparison to the Lahori. The Lamb was much more Cohesive but again served in a Thin Masala. A Killer Green Chilli was the only Vegetable contained therein.
Hector was on the limit but had not eaten a huge amount. Was the late hour affecting the appetite?
The Kofta Anda was the final Dish to attract Hector. A stalwart of the Sheerin Palace, Hector has never had this at The Village. One Meatball and Half a Boiled Egg would bring the Feast to a conclusion. With Fresh Coriander strewn through the Masala which ironically was Thicker than the Shorva served at the Sheerin Palace, this was it – The Winner! Even from this Small Sample the Flavours flooded out. I have to come back, and start with this! But will it be on?
Meanwhile, across the table, Marg was trying her first ever sample of Haleem.
Not a Hector favourite, I described to Marg how this Dish was created by boiling the Lamb in Lentils down to a Pulp. She enjoyed the Modest Sample but accepts this would not (for us) necessarily make the basis of a Main Course. She was not up to sampling Paye, Trotters. Hector has never tried this either. Maybe next time.
Soft Ice Cream – Irresistible! The array of Desserts otherwise will never seduce The Hector. If there is space for Dessert, there is room for more Curry!
Irram, the Daughter, greeted us between visits to the Buffet. Kassif took the opperchancity to grab some of the Delightful Food on offer. Having to work they were certainly on their limits. I mentioned that in Morocco, the the clocks have been put back an hour for the period of Ramadan to make it dark an hour earlier. I have asked for years why we have B.S.T. anyway. The nights get longer so we put our clocks forward and make it lighter, later. Hector prefers G.M.T.
The Bill
£27.00. Including Sparkling Water and a Mango Lassi.
The Aftermath
Irram has subsequently confirmed the existence of a Persian Menu but the term White Curry/White Karahi may not be there. After Ramadan this will be checked out.