Is it possible that Hector had acquired an Air of Indifference regarding this evening’s Buffet, the fourth of the India 2016 Trip? An Outstanding mid-afternoon Fish Curry at Niros Restaurant would be a hard act to follow, still there would be Musik and Dance.
Marg and Hector arrived at the Rooftop Restaurant in Shahpura House (D 257 Devi Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur, Rajahstan, 302016, India) to find The Party in full swing. This Hotel is quite a Labyrinth, when one’s room is on the far side, the correct stairs were not that obvious. Two Chaps sat in the customary position on the floor, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan it was not, but still – Pleasant. Various Ladies would perform Traditional Dance throughout our meal.
A single glass of Red Wine was offered and accepted, the price of Wine in the Maidens Hotel, New Delhi had already raised concern. Stella Artois was spotted in the distant fridge, no Sparkling Water for The Hector tonight, there was the promise of more Bier afterwards. Party on.
The Waiters served the Starters. A Vegetable Something in Batter, a Fritter/Pattie, had a decent Kick. The starlight meant nobody could see inside, to be sure. A piece of Chicken was, well Chicken-like. Seekh Kebab! My first in India, things are looking up.
A Potential Problem
A mid-afternoon Lunch, Starters, now Buffet #4. Even The Hector has his limits. Join the queue, at the end, that way there’s nobody behind being held up as the Ritual Photos are taken.
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Lal Maas, Lamb on-the-bone, looks Good!
Chicken Curry, the Masala looks Sound.
Mixed Vegetable – Minimal Masala.
Penne, Penne, Penne. Tarka Daal, with the above, no need.
Crispy Potato, I have learned not to dismiss this.
Jeera Rice, what is Rice without Cumin Seeds?
Chapattis, just in case. Salad, Achtung!
I limited my choice to three, A Soupcon of Lal Maas, Mixed Vegetable and Crispy Potato.
Lal Maas
Simon, sitting opposite, told me that this is the Signature Dish of the Region. The Pieces of Tender Lamb I had chosen were on Large Bones, enough Meat, what is happening? The Masala was Superb! The Thick, Rich Masala was far removed from the Shorva that have been served too often on this Trip. The tell-tale taste of Red Wine in the Masala gave it a Bite. This was easily the Standout Buffet Dish of The Trip. If this was served by the Half Kilo in a Glasgow Curry House, we would be in raptures. Is it possible that there is Quality Curry to be had in India? Who created the Negative Waves? Why an I here?
Mixed Vegetable
Another Winner! When the Masala is as Minimal as served here, something tells me you’re into something good. Sadly, such was the Intensity of Flavour from the Lal Maas, this Dish did not compete. In any of Buffets 1 – 3, this would have been hailed as – The Interesting Vegetable.
Crispy Potato
They look like Chips, they taste like Chips, they’re Chips. A pity. Back to Patan.
For Marg, this was Dinner, she ate much more than I did, she too was impressed. It must have been Marg who took the better photos of the Dancers, Hector had Bier, Curry and Conversation, who needs Dancers?
The Bill
The Bier had to be paid for. Rs 1000 (£11.00) for a little over a Pint of Stella! Extortion! At least we hadn’t ordered Wine. That’ll be £35.00 please. The Victims paid up, caught in a trap…
The Aftermath
Adrian led fourteen of us to the Shakuntalam Bar & Restaurant (D157, Kabir Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur, India) for Bier and Wine at Sensible Prices. The Menu had the Full Range of Indian Food, Curry. This Venue did not show upon any Search that I conducted, on foot or in t’Internet. As I did not eat here, the page belongs to Bier-Traveller.com.
India Trip 2016 – Day 5, Jaipur – Disclocated Day: Another Temple, Another Bier