Early rises are going to be a constant feature of the India Trip 2016, this means Breakfast will be consumed. However, Hector learned in Sri Lanka in 2003 that Curry for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is pushing it, somewhat.
The Excursion today began with a trip to the Qutab Minar, most impressive, then Humayun’s Tomb, a building which inspired the more famous Taj Mahal.
Our Guide announced that Lunch was imminent but gave no clue as to where and what would be on offer. Near the Government Quarters we turned off the Parade to find a cluster of Restaurants. The Buffet option had again been mentioned, but not for Hector. Hector would eat a la carte, Hector wanted full blown Curry.
The Gulati Restaurant (6, Pandara Road, Pandara Market, New Delhi, Delhi 110003, India) was dimly lit akin to Las Vegas, with Waiters running everywhere. Being one of the last in, we were detached from the main body of The Group. Marg and Hector were joined by Tina, Manisha and Michael (or was it Bernard?), a family of three. Two of five would dine a la carte.
Marg went up for her Buffet Selection. Butter Chicken had been advertised outside as an Award Wining Dish. Who wins Awards? There was no surprise when Marg returned with a selection that featured her Favourite Curry. I was pleased to see her with Daal Makhani, a Side she has been wary of in her early encounters, but a Treat when available.
The Menu
Bhuna Gosht (Rs 570) was the first Main Course to tempt, it was pleasing to see familiar Dishes on The Menu. Achari Gosht (Rs 560) proved to be irresistible, that the Waiter accepted my soft –asch– sound was all the more pleasing. Across the table, Tina revealed that she spoke Hindi, serious Curry ordering was underway there. Being new to each other it was considered best not to adopt the Full Hector Mode, let them observe that Hector would record everything on his own side of the table. To accompany, something new, Mirch Ka Parantha (Rs 110) was described as – Whole wheat unleavened flour bread stuffed with finely ground chilli. The Waiter warned me about the Spiciness of the Paratha, I assured him this would not be a problem.
Fresh Lime Soda (Rs 145) was a Tasty Beverage, served either Sweet or Salt. Having downed the first, a second was summoned. The temperature in New Delhi was in the mid 30s°C. There was time to survey the Buffet whilst I waited for the Achari Gosht.
The expected Chicken and Daal were present, plenty of time to be cornered by them. A Waiter brought Spiced Onion and other Salad Accoutrements for those of us who had ordered a la carte. Danger, Will Robinson! We had been warned not to touch any Food that could have been washed in tap water. That nobody touched these begs the question, do they dump them or re-present them? QED.
Achari Gosht
Fifty years ago, or so, Hector had his first Restaurant Indian Curry at the Green Gates in Glasgow’s West End. Thanks to The Mother of Hector and a Recipe brought from India, Curry was well known by this tender age. The Lunch and Buffet at the Maidens Hotel yesterday was but a warm up to this, The Main Event. Bring it on.
The metal serving pot was – Large, to say the least. Dry – was never going to be expected in this part of India, so any Masala would be regarded as – Excessive – by this commentator. That the Lamb was on-the-bone was one positive, that the Meat and a Sucky Bone protruded through the sea of Masala made the heart race. My First Indian Curry-proper in India. Patience, Dear Reader.
The Mirch Ka Parantha arrived Piping Hot, Perfect. Red with Chilli Powder, this was indeed a new Paratha Experience. Light and Layered, the Perfect Accompaniment.
I had to stop The Waiter decanting the Achari Gosht to the plate, despite the Splash Risk, I would eat from the Pot, left handed too.
The Lamb was too Hot to pick up, dip the Paratha – Gosh! A Classic Onion-Tomato based Masala, far from Shorba. The Spice and Seasoning were how a Curry should be. Hotter than Medium – was the request, this was testing but never OTT. One of the Lamb Pieces was a Chop – Hector’s First Lamb Chop in India!
To think some, one person in particular, suggested I would not like the Food in India, eh? Hopefully the level of Pleasure is being conveyed, Hector was in his element. A Peppercorn was bitten into, lovely. The Pickle Flavour was less intense than hoped for, a Subtle Curry? A visible Green Herb was mixed through the Masala, most likely Fresh Coriander, though for a brief moment – Methi – was considered. The Lamb was Seriously Tender, served in comparatively Large Pieces, difficult to compare to a Glasgow Portion, certainly enough, more than. Given the quantity of Masala, Rice would have been the better accompaniment, note to self. That would have meant missing the Chilli Paratha, difficult, I cannot do Bread and Rice justice.
This is a Curry Hector shall never forget.
The Bill
Rs 1157. (£12.85) This is some two hundred Rupees more than the Menu total. The Bill featured various Purchase Taxes charged at different rates for Food and Drink. Expect to pay 20% above the Menu Prices.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card did not feel appropriate, they were too busy. Time to resume The Tour. No more Curry today, surely…
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India Trip 2016 – Day 2 –Hector’s India Trip – A Day in New Delhi