Noon in Sheffield, time for Brunch. What could Wicker offer? Tunisia’s Planet (28-30 Wicker, Sheffield S3 8JB, England) is a Coffee Shop and Restaurant, surely The Hector would find something different? The welcome was warm from the Chap who would turn out to be The Chef and his Lady who would serve the tables. I was invited to study the Menu, I did.
Lamb Chops? Not today! I also turned down Kofta, Falafel, Tagine, Wraps, various Kebaps and Burgers. Molokhia (£6.99) caught the eye – special tunisia beef curry cooked in north african spices. The Sundries included Home-made Bread (50p), all was set.
People came in to collect Takeaways – Lamb Chops, I kid you not. A table was set for seven. In all I had fifteen fellow diners by the time I departed at 12.45, a popular place.
The Molokhia and Bread arrived, it looked even darker in the Restaurant than it does in the flash-photo. Dark and Mysterious, the Masala was Thicker than Shorva, just. What looked like Flat pieces of Beef turned out to be Bay-leaves. The Bread was a cross between Pitta and Chapatti, it had potential, but it was Cold. The first Dip, …..
I have been to Tunisia, I have seen every Spice for sale there, I have to wonder as to which were used in this. The Dish was void of Seasoning, the Spice was Subtle but did creep up in time. The Beef was Chewy in parts, tending towards Pulp in others. The Molokhia has been served Lukewarm and was cooling rapidly. The Overall Flavour would re-define what I would term – Earthy, at times only a step away from – Horrible. No way could I finish this, it was too Cold to provide any Pleasure by the time I abandoned it.
Had it been later in the day I would have had Tagine, in fact any of the above would have been a better choice.
The Bill
£6.99. The Bread was inclusive.
The Aftermath
Barr’s Irn Bru, the Perfect Mouthwash.