Hector is in Prague today, Rhodes was the planned locus with Marmaris yesterday, but, well…
On previous visits to Prague, finding Curry Houses was quite a challenge. With more favourable, but still not free, Roaming Rates the use of maps and search facilities has made life so much easier for all. With some fifty outlets for Indian Cuisine in this city, it will take Hector years to get round them all. So, lets cut to the chase: Other Sources convinced Hector that the Curry House (Novákových 893/7, 180 00 Praha 8, Czech Republic) was worthy of a visit.
Taking the Metro to Palmovka, the Curry House was just around the corner, very easy to locate in this part of Eastern Prague. Entering before noon it was encouraging to see so many Diners in situ this Friday morning. Either the Czechs have taken to Curry or this place has Genuine Pedigree.
The Young Waiter showed me to a table for two in the back room where most were sitting. I had counted thirteen diners, more kept coming, especially Chaps dining alone. A Lunchtime Menu was on the table, however the Main Menu had much more choice. If one takes the Lunchtime Deal then no doubt one will be eating for pennies.The Mains at around 200Kc were very favourable.
Pages of photographs gave an impression of what could be expected. The availability of Korai was temptation enough.
Regular Readers can skip the next few lines, you know what is coming. The Waiter was happy to withhold the Green Peppers but then asked if Red and Yellow were acceptable. We agreed – No Capsicum! His English was certainly impressive when he confirmed – Water with Gas – as – Sparkling Water. At this this point Hector could have been more assertive in – Suggesting – an Alternative Interesting Vegetable. When – Dry – was confirmed, we agreed that a Single Chapatti (30Kc) would be sufficient accompaniment.
The Curry House has wi-fi, the password is – bestcurry. Whilst I waited I received a promised Text from Fred Waltman, the Bier Guru whose company Hector would keep for the rest of the day, hopefully. His Group would be located a kilometre or so south of where I was presently, to get there would involve a change of Metro lines, hence a return to the City Centre for the crossover at Mustek. For £8.00, Hector had a three day travel pass, value.
When Chefs cannot give Capsicum as Ballast, they tend to overload with Onions, no surprise as to what was presented. That the Dish was topped with Fresh Onion Rings was somewhat Overkill. A bit of Imagination could have been employed here. Beneath the Mass of Onion was the Lamb, it was Chunky and there was plenty of it. There was little need for the Ballast. Counting Meat through the Onions, Nine, maybe Ten, good-sized pieces of Lamb were present. An Elegant Sufficiency.
This Korai was very much a Stir Fry, truly Dry with the most Minimal of a Tomato dominated Masala-Mash shrouding the Lamb. As I ate I realised that the Masala certainly had the Quality that makes a Karahi standout out from simple Stir Fry. The Tender Lamb also gave off Spice, this was not the usual Sauce poured over Meat, Hector was rapidly warming to this interpretation. The Base of the Karahi had the telltale Mash oozing Flavour from the Oily Residue. No way was this up to the High Standards set in the UK’s Best Curry Houses, however, the Onion Overdose aside, this was a Tasty Dish.
Ordering a Single Chapatti was a bit of a risk, what came was Substantial. Lightly fired it did look a bit Pale, but there was a slight Fluffiness to the Chapatti, it did not Crisp and retained its integrity. A good Accompaniment.
The Bill
260.00 Kc. (£6.88) This is Great Value.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was offered to the Young Waiter at the time of payment. A Mature Chap returned with the card, this was Mamun, Mein Host. I quickly showed him the range of Countries visited then narrowed down to my previous Prague write-ups. He was definitely interested. I talked him through the essence of what is written above. He stated that they could, and perhaps suggested – should – have offered alternative Vegetables. Okra was mentioned specifically.
Mamun asked how long I was in Prague, just a short visit. Mamun left me with a line that should be made immortal – Come back and we can have some more fun.
Hector cannot refuse such an invitation.