Sheffield – Lahori Dhera Grill and Steakhouse – Hector’s Wickerpedia Recommendation

The Chaps and Chapattis were assembling in Sheffield this evening for tomorrow’s Biere Sans Frontieres AGM. Hector had already been asked to name the venue for Curry. From the Shakespeare it is only a five minute walk along the River Don to Wicker where lies Lahori Dhera (51-53 Wicker, Sheffield, S3 8HT, England). Dr. Stan and Hector were there last night to confirm that what impressed so much in January this year maintained. In the small hours, Jim and Aileen, Derek and Margaret, Jonathan and Hector, crossed the Don, Dr. Stan made his excuses.

Curry Lover of The Year 2016
This afternoon, those lovely people who organise the Scottish Curry Awards contacted Hector to inform that once again Hector Curry-Heute has been shortlisted in the Awards. In 2011, I was runner up to a local celebrity. In 2012, I was runner up to a corporate body who had sponsored the event. Can The Hector be shunned a third time? Still, it is good to be nominated and make the shortlist, especially as this time I did not invite anyone to vote for me. One concludes that The Curryspondents may have had a hand in this? Thank you.

I had promised Mein Host I would return with more customers. We took a table upstairs, time to study the Menu, again. Jonathan and Jim declared Starters, Seekh Kebabs (£2.20), nobody else felt they could do justice to a Main Course after a Starter.
Having ordered The Hector Curry on my previous visits, tonight it was time to sample The Menu. Karela Gosht ((£7.50) with extra Methi and please no Capsicum – should be Suitably Bitter. Once again the Paratha (£2.50) would accompany, it was most impressive last night.
Jonathan stuck to his usual Karahi Keema (7.50) with a Garlic Nan (£1.80). Strange that a Naan would be cheaper than a Paratha.

Jim, who appeared last year in Curry-Heute during the Wolf Strassenfest at Bernkastel, followed Hector’s lead but took the Garlic Nan option. Aileen ordered Murgh Chana (£7.50) whilst Margaret took the Driest Option ever, Lamb Chops (£5.70) with Rice. The Menu stated that the portion would be Five Chops. Derek ordered Bhindi Gosht (£7.50) originally with a Paratha to accompany, however, Mein Host returned within minutes to say they had run out of Okra. After further scrutiny of the Menu, Derek went for the Spinach – Palak Ghost – as written. Another Paratha completed the order, not quite. There was a call for a Jug of Mango Lassi. (£4.50)

The Seekh Kebabs arrived on a single Sizzling Platter with a bed of Onions. Hector managed to nobble some pieces of Onion as they cooked on the iron. The Kebabs were enjoyed and another Jug of Mango Lassi was ordered. Was this a good idea? The first disappeared in seconds, perhaps a bit late at night to fill one’s stomach with Dairy Products, still.

The Breads were presented in Foil, they hadn’t travelled far but this kept them Fresh regardless. The Paratha was once again Perfect, Layers with a Slight Crispness. Derek was unsure. He saw the Sheen and assumed Grease, he was not happy. This is as good as a Paratha can be.

The Karela Ghost did not look to be a Large Portion in the Karahi, however this was the classic appearances being deceptive. There was a Mass of Curry here. Served with a Thick, Minimal Masala, an acceptable level of  Oil Slick developed at the base. The Bitter Gourd was in Slivers and lived up to its description. With the Methi, this was as Bitter a Curry as Hector has experienced, Simcoe, Chinook and Citra came to mind. This was Excellent, and confirms what I realised on January 2nd, the Lahori Dhera is an Outstanding Curry House.

Fandabby – was Jim’s verdict on the Karela Ghost, Splendiferous – about his Garlic Naan. One suspects Jim will be happy to return here, though he did remark later that he would have welcomed more Spice. That Wicker is just around the corner from the Budget Hotels also adds to its attraction, but it has taken The Hector twenty years to cross the River Don at this locus.

Jonathan knows his Keema. This was as Dry as it should be served. Very good, dry – no Methi was reported.

Aileen, sitting in the corner, was the hardest to photograph, sorry. The Murgh Chana looked Interesting, but is not a Dish The Hector would ever contemplate, not my two favourite ingredients. Still, such is the advantage of dining in company, diversity. Again, the Masala was not excessive, and looked Lighter in hue.
The texture was good. The spice held the flavour – was Aileen’s description.

Margaret had The Hector intrigued. Lamb Chops with Rice, no Masala. This would be Dry, and not actually – Curry – therefore. Six good sized Chops made up the portion. They looked wonderfully Cooked. Margaret only managed four before she asked for help. Hector was too busy trying to finish the Karela Ghost so missed the opperchancity to report once again on Lamb Chops, this may disappoint some readers. Margaret thoroughly enjoyed what she ate and remarked on the – Generous portion.
Finally there was Derek who had not secured his first choice of Main, and was unhappy with his Paratha. I had seen the Palak Ghost the previous evening and so knew it would be a worthy Dish, almost tempting. A Chicken Curry may well cross Hector’s Palate once more in the near future.
The Paratha was greasy, I didn’t like it. The Curry was Zehr Gut!

Derek Noon Bitter?  Certainly not!

The Bill
£70.00. A round number, six diners, two Starters, two Jugs of Mango Lassi. This is great value.

The Aftermath
We headed back across the Don, time for nocturnal repose.
Was all that Dairy a good idea?