After a superb afternoon at The Fat Cat where The Company was entertained by Locals – Ken and Rebecca; Howard, Tracey, Dr. Stan and Hector took a taxi to the Merchants of Spice (32 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1BG).
We were not there long. The place was stowed, the Good People of Norwich all getting tucked in to their Chicken Tikka Masalas. We could see no free tables and were asked to wait. Dr. Stan was uncomfortable, this was not our type of Curry House. With Dom Perignon on display one is left to wonder. Wine with Curry? Vintage Champagne with Curry – a total waste. We left.
The Spice Lounge (8-10 Wensum St., Norwich, NR3 1HR) where Hector had Quality Lunch yesterday was not too far away. Hector led the way, displaying his wonderful Navigational Skills courtesy of Doris Google who talked us there.
The Young Waiter who had served me yesterday shook my hand as I walked towards the stairs. The welcome from all was warm, there was also a line of the remaining staff at the door to bid us farewell as we departed, last out.
Would you like Poppadoms?
Are you giving or selling?
We were given a Poppadom each plus the Tray of Bits. The Onions were not Spiced and so Hector concentrated on the Mango Chutney. Meanwhile there was the decision of what to have, not Lamb for Hector.
Four Diners, Four Choices
Dr. Stan was happy to take my recommendation that the Lamb Methi was distinctive enough to suit his palate. Vegetable Pilau to accompany. Howard found Mahe Mahe Supreme, a Dish featuring Monkfish and Potatoes. Hector had spent part of the day wondering if an order of Bombay Aloo at the Namaste India at Lunchtime would have enhanced the Vegetable Curry served there, it would also have increased The Bill by 50%. Tracey went Green – Special Green Chicken, she and Howard would share Keema Rice and a Chilli Nann.
Quack! Duck Grill Chilli Achari (£11.50) was appreciably dearer than the Mainstream Curry Dishes. Tandoori Duck in a Pickle-infused Masala should provide an alternative to the Lamb Curry overdose yesterday. This must be why Hector also ordered the Keema Rice.
The Spice Lounge was quite busy for a Tuesday Evening. It was good to see the place illuminated given that Hector had sat in the gloom yesterday whilst The Chaps attended the air-con. Whilst this venue had Tablecloths, the atmosphere was more informal than the venue we had left. Dr. Stan would later repeat his dismissal of The Merchants of Spice – Not our style.
Tracey was a bit concerned that the quantity of Rice and the relatively Modest Naan would be enough to share, it was. The Naan, or Chilli Nann, was the main focus of her comments thereafter. The Chilli Blast was significant. Of her Very Green, Herb Rich – Special Green Chicken, the verdict was – Chicken dry and leathery, the sauce was lively and flavoursome. Chicken Curry? What is that?
Dr. Stan was intrigued by the Lamb Methi. Having attempted to describe the scenario yesterday, he too could not identify what was giving the Unique Flavour. It was spicy, I don’t know what it was, but it was pleasant, … the right amount, I’m not leaving empty. The Lamb Methi has certainly impressed two commentators.
Howard should start his own Blog, he likes to wax lyrical, else he is used to having secretaries take shorthand. Of the Mahe Mahe Supreme – A cacophony of flavours, three separate elements all with their own distinct taste. The monkfish was creamy and distinctive, the potatoes were earthy with the flavour that combined garlic and earthiness that was difficult to quantify. (There’s more…) The juxtaposition was too intense, it needed boiled rice and a plain naan rather than three separate and distinct flavours, still a worthy curry.
So, the Chilli in the Naan, the Mince in the Rice and the Fish did not work too well together? Hector would not have ordered Bread with this, indeed he didn’t.
Lamb and Duck
Keema Rice gives a Grittier Texture to the Rice. At venues where the Masala could be more towards – Soup – than one would accept in Glasgow, this is a good way of soaking up the excess. Suffice to say that The Hector Tactic this evening was Overkill also. A wonderfully Dry, Thick Masala was served with Long Pieces of Duck. I think it was Duck, it was so far from my normal Chinese Restaurant Order. Strange that I should visit Spice Lounge twice and mention the – C- word each time. The Spice Level was Maxed-out, perhaps at the expense of Flavour. Hector could sense no presence of Achari in this Dish. The Texture of the Duck was complemented further by the Peas which also appeared in the Rice. A departure from the Lamb Karahi which feature so often in these pages, this was a Dish certainly worth consideration.
The Bill
£64.40. The Complimentary Poppadoms were confirmed.
The Aftermath
Last out, and on a school night. No need to leave the Calling Card, though Mein Host was shown the write-up from yesterday. He knows Hector takes his Curry seriously and will always speak favourably of venues which impress. Add – Spice Lounge – to this list.