Buffet Price
Monday – Thursday – £11.95.
Friday – Sunday – £12.95.
Lord Clive is Resident, Marg is in Wakefield, Bier and Hockey, respectively. It is the second day of the Glasgow Real Ale Festival 2015 (G-RAF) and Hector is back to work already, as a Volunteer. Volunteer, a term that takes me back to Ashdot Ya’akov (Me’uchad), 1980 and thereafter. What is the purpose of life without work? I shall discover this in the coming months and hopefully many more years. Suffice to say, at 22.00, Five of us escaped from The Briggait and headed to The Village (119 West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA). The Ramadan Buffet was underway.
A table for five? The place was stowed, The Locals had starved themselves all day. Clive and Hector had endured near-starvation in order to maximise the enjoyment of what was waiting – Village Desi Curry.
The Head Waiter moved some tables from the area where folk were queuing into the main dining area, our table was created. Hector is known at this establishment. The Sparkling Water was ordered, we were off…
Mags had been here before for the Eid Mubarak Buffet, she knew the score, avoid The Starters. Craig, Yvonne and Clive accepted this strategy.
Bypassing the array of Starters, Mr. Baig asked if we had enjoyed our Starters.
We have had none, we’re here for the Curry!
The First Sweep
The Hector led the way, Lamb Bhoona, a Standard Curry from Yesteryear. Helping oneself meant the excess Masala need not be taken for what is traditionally a Dry Curry, the first encounter of this model was back in the 1970s. Keema Aloo, not on the standard Village Menu, and much missed on my previous visit five nights ago. Paye, Trotters, finally I had to try these.
En route along the multitude of pots on offer, Irram pointed to a plate of Fresh Ginger, Chillies and other Toppings – For the Haleem. Not tonight, well maybe later.
Clive, Yvonne and Mags completed a First Sweep and sat down with Hector. Craig was somehow left behind, The Hector was called upon again, Craig was talked through each Dish, he sampled the lot, Brave Craig. Each Dish would be Spiced just above his Comfort Zone. Fear not, Craig never wastes food.
The Curry Soldier
The Lamb Bhoona was a Delight, the Seasoning right where it should be. The Lamb was on the Chewy-side, one cannot expect the Best Cuts in a Buffet, that would be Economic Madness.
The Keema Aloo was much anticipated and was loved by all. It is amazing how The Company have taken to this over the years. The Keema Aloo was Absolute Perfection. Probably the easiest Curry to make, however achieving the correct balance of Salt and Methi takes skill. At the time of writing, one looks at the photo,…. Mmmmm.
Trotters, Paye, a Dish which most certainly has its roots in Poverty, the attraction was Meat on-the-bone. The Reality was a Fatty Residue. Done it, don’t need to again. Paye makes Haleem seem like a Luxury.
The Second Sweep
Chinese Rice? No thanks. Lamb Pilau? Might as well.
The Daal Kadu would be The Sanity Claus. The Haleem was considered, in fact most of The Company tried it, no complaints. OK, another chance.
The Lamb Karahi was the final Great Attraction, served on-the-bone, This was more than enough. Imagine I had Starters, I would never have reached this far. What is it about Buffets?
The Lamb in the Pilau appears to have been smothered by the Haleem. I still don’t get Haleem. To Hector, Kadu is a Vegetable related to the Pumpkin and should feature in the Curry-Heute Vegetable Curry Recipe (as yet unwritten). This was Courgette, not Kadu. Still, Courgette in a Curry, a first. Very Pleasant. And finally, the Lamb Karahi... there was Karela embedded in the Masala which I had not spotted when spooning. The Bitter Vegetable. This was Superb.
Maggie wouldn’t have done that
There’s no excuse. Here are some more gratuitous photos of Village Curry and Peeps enjoying themselves. What would the Curry-Heute Blog be without the photos?
Craig went up for a Starter or two, somehow Fresh Fruit appeared on his plate. Soft Ice Cream was the Dessert of The Majority. Was it Taylor or Carpiagni?
The Bill
I don’t think Kassif charged us enough. But when challenged reconfirmed his total.
Thank you.
The Aftermath
A sharp exit. Last Train from Glasgow Central. The train to Garscadden was avoided. Just as well The Village did not stay open until 02.00.