New Delhi – Rampur Kitchen – The Grand Finale

The Party was in full swing at the Suryaa Hotel, the last night of our India Trip 2016. Hector has encountered Bier at a reasonable price for only the second time on The Trip, however, the Final Curry-Heute was the #1 objective tonight. It was after 21.00 when Marg and Hector left the Hotel Compound and started exploring the New Friends Colony. The place was a hive of activity, hundreds of people milling around, just as many indoors at the various Eateries, and there were many. One final quality Lamb Curry, please.
Google Maps had thrown up Pebble Street as a possible venue. Menus were studied at a few locations, most places were Vegetarian. Rampur Kitchen (1st Floor, India Mall, New Friends Colony Community Hall, Delhi – 65, New Delhi, India) would to tick the boxes.
Rampur Kitchen is an upstairs venue, it was fortune that let The Hector sniff out this venue. Climbing the stairs in the spartan decor, the Restaurant was finally revealed. About twenty Diners were in situ, many still enthusing about the final of the cricket tournament live on TV.
The Waiter brought the Menu which won me over immediately. The Curry would be served in Half or Full Portions. Unbelievably Hector considered the Half to be Sufficient.
Marg had to go for – Butter Chicken Boneless Half (Rs 350).

Hector wondered about the Mutton Lahori Qorma Half (Rs 350), would this be Korma a la Village (Glasgow)? There was no point taking the risk. The Hector Curry was described to the Waiter who appeared confident in bringing me Something Special.
A Vegetable Biryani Half (Rs 220) would accompany. This could be the Marg and Hector Accompaniment when we get home. The Lacha Paratha (Rs 50) had to be tried – Dough made with wheat flour and dry mint leaves. We were set, time to take in the – noisy atmosphere – and inhale. Hector was in his element. People like cricket, Hector likes Curry.

The Indian Table Pots arrived, to say I was on the edge of my seat would have been an understatement. The Lamb Curry, for I know not what the Waiter brought in the end, had the Thickest Masala encountered in India. The Oil was visible, but in no way Excessive.
The Vegetable Biryani had to be decanted first. Cauliflower, Green Beans, Red Carrot and Paneer were mixed through the Rice. Wonderful – was Marg’s comment on the Biryani. What has happened, we go to India and come back raving about a Vegetable Dish we have eschewed for decades.
Four Large pieces of Lamb on-the-bone were sitting in the Masala. The Spice level hit immediately, too much for Marg. The back of my mouth, then the middle of the tongue, then the tip all went on fire. The Lamb was of course Perfect, I have got away with left handed eating without comment. Pick up the Bones, Mmmmm. Well Seasoned, there was a Tangy Flavour, everything about this Indian Curry in India was to my liking. The only negative, the Cauliflower was past its best. Flying tomorrow.
Marg’s Butter Chicken was everything she likes in a Curry, still?  Chicken Tikka Masala may have been invented in Glasgow, this bore a strong resemblance – A Tomato Soup Shorva. People eat this? Too spicy, but bearable, enough chicken – said Marg. The Biryani mopped up the Excessive Masala.

Lacha Paratha
This was a Modest Size and served in Two Pieces. Flaky, but greasy – was Marg’s take. This is how Hector likes his Paratha.

Curry, described to my requirements, this was seriously sensational. One sees the end in sight, this is why I came to India. Tonight I had another Excellent Curry. Do I miss my Punjabi Karahi?

The Bill
Rs 1181.00. (£13.12). In no way is Restaurant Food ridiculously Cheap, the prices are far more favourable than the Hotels.

The Aftermath
The Calling Card was given, who knows where it ended up.
This was a Lamb Curry Hector shall never forget.

Back to the Suryaa Hotel, will anyone still be up?  Party on!

India Trip 2016 – Day 8 – Agra – New Delhi – The End is Nigh