After a Memorable Lunch at Frehiwet Habesha, an Eritrean Restaurant, The Hector would happily have passed on Curry-Heute, but when there was an imminent consensus amongst The Company, there was hardly going to be a refusal. FYI – Jonathan, Jim and Aileen my Co-diners two nights ago, returned to the Lahori Dhera (51-53 Wicker, Sheffield, S3 8HT, England) last night for their second visit. This evening they went off in search of BBQ, Hector led seven Interested Diners along the River Don from the Excellent Shakespeare which all Trips to Sheffield seem to include.
As we entered Lahori Dhera, Ian and Louise were already there but were standing up, intent on going upstairs where they were assured it was warmer. A Table for Ten was hastily created, parallel to two sets of Reserved Tables. Behind where I took my seat would be a Party, bigger than ours.
The Big Party
Chaps were sat at the far end, the Ladies nearer me, then The Weans piled in. How many Weans? Too many! There was an air of inevitability as to what would follow.
The Waitress smiled in recognition and thanked me for coming back. It would become apparent that she has duties behind the scenes more than front of house. A few Menus were brought, we struggled to get more. The Waiter kept disappearing. Some of The Company were becoming concerned. That I had recommended the Venue is why they were there. The proximity to the three Hotels at which we were billeted was also a matter in accepting this location. We would stick it out no matter what.
In time we had Menus and Jugs of Water and Glasses. The Waitress brought the plates and napkins. The Waiter was running upstairs and down, by this time sorting the Food for the Kindergarten. A lot of Rice and a lot of Chips would be distributed behind me. I was desperate to photograph their Spread, but this would have been out of order. The Adults ate Adult Food, Biryani by the Kilo? The time came, the Weans were bored with eating, Run Around Time, oh yeah, bring it on, this is what any group of Adults do not seek in a Restaurant. My objections to two boys causing a racket in Manchester’s Dera a few weeks ago now felt like minor irritation. If any adult made any attempt to control a child, I never saw it, nor did anyone at our table. Children should be taught how to eat/behave in public, our generation were.
Ian suggested I should record the Lahori Dhera as – Child Friendly.
Mein Host, who had not been seen since we crossed the threshold, appeared to take our order. As Hector was in the Company of new-Acquaintances rather than those who know what Curry-Heute involves, I had to take things slowly. After the mayhem behind me, surely they would tolerate my rituals. As ever I noted the order as best I could.
The Hector Curry this evening would be Achar Ghost (£7.50) one of my three Favourite Dishes at this time. Having established the Perfection of the Paratha on previous nights I knew I must have Rice. Mushroom Rice at £2.80 felt a bit steep for Yorkshire.
On my right, Martin may have been listening to some of my advice and chose the Karela Ghost (£7.50) which is what The Hector had two nights ago. He wished two Poppadoms (50p) to Start then asked for Two Parathas. Martin was quickly advised that One would suffice.
Opposite Martin, Debs chose Lamb Tikka Biryani (£8.00). To my left was Kerr, A Scot who now lives in Bradford, this would be interesting – Karahi Keema (£7.50) and two Rotis (70p).
Opposite Hector and Kerr sat Carlos and Diola, a couple from the USA who are more used to Mexican Cuisine when eating – Spicy -but showed no fear of Indian. Carlos too asked for Achar Ghost, Spicy, with Boiled Rice to accompany. Two Poppadoms to Start. Under the Banner – Vegetarian – on The Menu is Mixed Vegetables (£6.00). This was Diola’s choice with Two Vegetable Samosas as a Starter.
Miss X, on Kerr’s left, ordered King Prawn Biryani. Opposite was Sophie, well somebody had to order it – Chicken Tikka Masala! (£7.50) with Mushroom Rice. At the far end of the table on the wall side was Ian and Louise. Hector has been on a Deutsche Trip with Ian some years ago and was the only person assembled who I had met before this weekend. I had to strain hard to record their order.
Ian asked for Gol Gappay (£2.80) to Start, followed by Chicken Madras (£7.00) and two Chapattis (50p). Mein Host advised that the Gol Gappay may not be available. Lamb Tikka (£3.50) was noted as a fallback. His Lady Louise ordered Onion Bhaji (£2.00) followed by Karahi Keema, I never found out which Bread.
Gol Gappay (£2.80)
A crispy bread with chickpeas and potato filling, served with tamarind sauce. Was this the Mysterious Starter which Lord Clive of Crawley ordered back in January? We shall never know, tonight Ian had Lamb Tikka.
I am The Hector, this is what I do.
Why? – asked Diola.
The Poppadoms and Dips were distributed between those who required them. Ian’s Lamb Tikka looked fairly straightforward. Louise’s – Onion Bhaji – were more like Pancakes, possibly the Flattest Bhajis I have ever recorded.
The Mayhem behind the Hector and in the full gaze of half of our table began to show signs of subsiding. There were more Noises Off than at t’table, still no discipline that we were witness to. Biryani was boxed, also various half eaten Dishes which were considered worthwhile saving. There was a sense of abandonment when they finally departed, I had to record the mess, more out of Interest than Spite. They had had a Party, we were a very subdued table in comparison.
Things, can only get better
There was another table booked, facing me. This was extended and chairs set in place. How many Peeps? How many more Weans? Five more children sat with Adults, they were much quieter but what caused a stir at our table was that their Food was coming first. I suggested that having booked the Tables, they could also have arranged the Food in advance. Plausible.
Ecce, Curry
Miss X’s King Prawn Biryani and Martin’s Karela Ghost and Paratha arrived first.
There was no point in them not getting on with it. I still wonder about Biryani. I have seen The Man from Bradford order Biryani whilst abroad to avoid – Soup. Does it come with a Masala or not? Tonight it did not. After a few moments Miss X sent her Meal back to be reheated.
Martin was thoroughly enjoying his Bitter Fayre and was glad not have ordered the second Paratha. The Beautifully Dry Karahi was impressive, as experienced previously, in the end Martin had to admit defeat. This is twice as much as I needed. The Karahi may not look to be that Large, they hold a lot of Curry!
Diola was the next person I could tune into. This is delicious – she said of her Mixed Vegetables. With the Standard – Potatoes, Cauliflower, Carrots and Peas – this was again a Visually Impressive Vegetable Curry.
Debs’ Lamb Tikka Karahi looked – Dry – in the extreme. It also had a Colour that I have never seen Rice turn before. Lovely, too much though – was her comment.
The Chickens
At 50p less than the Karahi Dishes, one assumes that Chef put Less effort and possibly Fewer Ingredients into the preparation of the Curry Dishes. Of the Chicken Madras, Ian said – Fine, Spicy. Not as good as the Shimla in Keighley. There’s a Venue I have not been to, yet.
Sorry, not the most flattering of photos.
In a Party of Ten there has to be at least one Chicken Tikka Masala. The Hector will not deny having ordered this once upon a time, in the last century… It looked too Red, this always worries, how much is Natural?
Sophie – The top level of spiciness I could handle. Very tasty, but spicy.
Kerr’s Karahi Keema I have also seen in the last couple of days, this looked consistent.
Dry, not greasy, which is very good. I like it a little more moist. Any Man from Bradford knows what makes the Very Best.
And finally…
Hector had a Mountain of Rice handed to him, this would have suited two, even three people. The Mushrooms were Tinned. This is the UK, we do not use Tinned Mushrooms, they’re Tasteless, Rubbery!
The Achar Ghost was something else. The entire Colour and Texture of the Achar Ghost was different from what I had ordered in previous visits. Paler, the straight Masala had been radically altered by the Lime Pickle. The Rice absorbed any Excess Masala, it’s strange having Rice with Karahi. The Lamb was cut as before, and was just as Tender, with the Pickle Blast, this was a very Different Dish. More Seasoning was needed, so I have learned this weekend to specifically ask for this in future.
Carlos’ Achar Ghost – Spicy was differentiated with Chopped Green Chillies, the Big Ones, atop his Karahi.
Very delicious, the right level of spice, just as I asked for it. It wasn’t dry, it had a bit of sourness to it. I liked the pickle taste. Diola once again reminded The Hector about her Mixed Vegetables – This is delicious. By now she appreciated her words would be published.
No disasters then in terms of the Curry, well one re-heat. The Chaps downstairs must have wondered what hit them when our Party arrived in the middle of two large bookings.
I asked The Waitress for The Bill – Downstairs!
The Bill
£101.75 rounded down to £100.00. Ten Diners, Some Starters, Great Value, Excellent Curry.
The Aftermath
Mein Host apologised for not being able to serve us as efficiently as he would have liked. He also apologised for the behaviour of the children. Whilst the apology was appreciated, the children were not his to discipline. I blame The Parents.
Lahori Dhera Lesson #2 – Later at night is Best.
As we departed, Mein Host showed me the photo of the World Champion Boxer he had referred to two nights ago. Has anyone tried taking a photo of someone’s phone?
Since Thursday I have managed to bring twenty one covers to Lahori Dhera, nobody has left disappointed, the majority very impressed.
When are we next in Sheffield?