Bamberg – Cafe Zafran – There is Curry in Bamberg!

Rumours of a second Bamberg Curry House have existed as long as the Curry-Heute Website. In September of this year, Dr. Stan and Hector stood outside Cafe Zafran (Brennerstraße 42, 96052 Bamberg, Deutschland), they were closed for an extended period. Nay luck. Today would be the day.
Dr. Stan and Hector entered Cafe Zafran at 17.25, a couple of people sat on stools at the Bar, one table was occupied, every other table was – Reserviert. The Waitress appeared, no we did not have a Reservation. Do the Germans appreciate using this term in an Indian Restaurant? Switching to English, she informed us – Every table is reserved. You can have a table in/for two hours.
As I hadn’t caught the in/for clearly, the response was – It’s now or never.
We were led through to one of two rooms at the rear where the – Reserviert – signs adorned all of the tables. She showed us to a table for seven which she then split, we were now at a table for five. For the next half hour or so we were the only customers, Hector was intrigued as to why all of the tables were blocked. Some establishments do block all of their tables so as they have total control over who sits where. The initial welcoming moments were therefore far from a – Welcome.
Once we had the Menu in hand relations did improve dramatically. By the time we departed we felt totally at home. We were told that the place is full at 19.00 and this is why all the tables were reserved. A large table set for ten was later split, they had a cancellation, only four of ten would arrive. An hour’s notice? How annoying.
The Waitress apologised for not having – English Menus – in a Curry House, who needs them? The Menu only had three Lamb Dishes, a Bhuna, a Vindaloo and a Palak. This limited our choice, who eats Chicken Curry? I did note that a Chicken Karahi was available, so why no Lamb equivalent? Dr. Stan and Hector both would opt for the Lamb Curry Bhuna (€14.90). Lamb was written as – Lamb, not Lamm. However – Gemüsebeilage – was certainly Deutsch. A side Dish – Mini Mixed Vegetables – sounded like a perfect accompaniment. At €3.90 the price was right. Basmati as ever was Inclusive. Dr. Stan ordered – The Side – too.
Hector was taking no chances and so completed the Food Order with the usual – Ohne Paprika, Minimal Sos, und Scharf. The Waitress was happy with this and confirmed the Chefs would be informed for both elements of the order. Relations were certainly building. This was a Charming Lady.
Most days, Hector has Sparkling Water with his Curry. Dr. Stan spotted an IPA on the Bier List. This had to be sampled. The German Breweries are slowly going down the Craft Beer route, who knows where they will end up? Deutsches Bier ist Deutche.

Brewed by Riedenberg in the Altmuhl, a Region, Town and Brewery which Hector and Marg have visited, there was a familiarity. Flavour-wise it was neither a Hoppy IPA or a Helles, caught in the middle.
When the Food arrived the typical Large Bowl of Basmati was placed in the middle of the table. We were assured we could have more if required. More? Two people could never eat what was provided. The Vegetable Curry impressed immediately, a Melange of Vegetables in a Minimal Masala. The Lamb Bhuna was presented in a Pot with a Lid, now for the moment of…..
Soup!

Hector had asked, the Kitchen had not understood or were not prepared to go down the route of Modern Punjabi Cuisine. Decanting the Lamb, there were only Six Pieces, but these were all Large and had to be split, there was enough Meat. Only half of the Masala ended upon Hector’s plate, none would cover the Vegetables which were carefully arranged on a Dry Side of the Rice.
This is Scharf? – was Herr Doktor’s first remark. This Curry was a Slow Burner.

Gemüsebeilage
Hector was straight into the Vegetables. There was definite Kick from these, the Seasoning was much Braver than most establishments would consider. Peas, Cauliflower, Green Beans, Onion, and Carrots were in the Mini Mix. The Gemüsebeilage was a Definite Winner. Hector The Vegetarian? Dr. Stan congratulated me for choosing this Side. He should know by now that I try to avoid simply Meat and Sauce, there is much more to – Curry – than this.
The Bhuna was Wet, in the UK this term usually is accompanied by some description of a Thicker Masala, a Drier Curry. The Masala was Rich in Flavour but there was no denying that it needed much more Onions at the pulping stage. Once the Lamb Pieces were halved and the eating began, there was the realisation that we had a substantial meal set before us. The Masala had a Definite Kick, the Heat was rising. Neither of us would question – Scharf? – again. This was a Spicy Curry.
The Lamb was Excellent and with the Masala formed one half of this Splendid Curry.

The Masala remnants looked appealing. A spoon was inserted, the Masala Supped. The Intensity of Flavour and Seasoning was most impressive, however, the fact remains, this was – Soup.

The Doctor Speaks
Pleasant enough.
A Glasgow-style Curry that we used to eat.
Spicy sauce.

When the by now Delightfully Charming Waitress came over to ask the customary question, she was given a positive reaction by us both. Hector did have to get in his critique – If you served the Curry as Dry as the Vegetables were served….
I had asked for Minimal Sos.

The Bill
€45.00. This included two Biers. We were instructed to take our time in finishing the Bier.

The Aftermath
The Calling Card was received with some enthusiasm. I described how we had been here in September and that I have been visiting the Curry Houses of Erlangen. She acknowledged the large number of Curry Houses in this nearby town. Hector now knows why.
I asked if I could take a photo of the Open Kitchen, she summoned The Chefs. All was well.
Until next year.

Later at Schlenkerla, Hector realised that a certain number would be passed in the next few hours. I managed to catch it.
Thank you to all those who continue to read these words.