Birmingham – eastZeast – Punjabi Cuisine in Brum

This afternoon was spent on the Severn Valley Railway with one or two distractions at either end. The Curry House in Bridgnorth was not open early afternoon on this August Bank Holiday Weekend Sunday. On the return to Kidderminster the Punjabi Curry House was open, Hector had his heart set on Punjabi Curry. However, the cancellation of the train before 22.00 meant a two hour gap in service, Kidderminster is not that exciting, back to Birmingham.

A Taxi took The Hector from Birmingham Moor St. to Broad Street, the first time Hector has seen this hive of night-time activity. The taxi dropped me at Pushkar which Sources suggested was the must-visit Punjabi Restaurant. Cocktail Bar & Dining – this is so far removed from the preferred Curry Cafe style of dining, Hector took the photo of the facade and walked on.

There was a backup – eastZeast (197 Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1AY England) is also a Punjabi outlet, a Chain.

Greeted at the door with a welcoming smile by a Chap in a Turban, eastZeast is again upmarket but hopefully the focus would be on Curry. Hector was marched through the Restaurant, past a succession of raised booths to the far right. Here lay more traditional tables. My table for two was most certainly in the corner.

The Menu was brought, the Poppadom Ritual was played out, no I shall not pay for Poppadom and Pickles. A quick glance at the Menu made The Hector feel at home: Peshawar Gosht (£11.95), Lahori Lamb Chop Handi (£12.95), Lamb Jeera (£11.95), Gosht Ginger (£11.95), and Gosht Potatoes (£11.95).

Handi, Lamb Chops, Aloo Gosht, all very tempting; at the top of the Menu, the first item – Lamb Sookha Bunah (£11.95) – was available both on and off the bone. Lamb on-the-bone, how could I resist?

A Keema Paratha (£3.95) would accompany. FYI, a Chapati here is a mere £1.00, a Sensible Price assuming one has to pay for these at all.

Lamb Sookha Bunah on-the-bone please, Spicy.

Medium?

Hotter than Madras.

The Napkin listed Manchester, Liverpool and Preston. I asked The Waiter to confirm this was a Manchester-based Chain. He informed me that their first Branch is under the Manchester Central Ibis, of course, Charles Street! I have seen this venue, but Dera in Cheetham Hill plus the Curry Cafes in the Northern Quarter are where The Hector hangs out.

Everything Hotter than Everything Else

To say the Curry and Bread were Hot would be a decided understatement. The joy of being The Lone Diner, the Food comes when it’s ready, not when all one’s Fellow Diners’ Dishes have also been assembled.

The Near Perfect Paratha

In the current week of Curry Exploration, Hector has been served some dubious Parathas. The Keema has been the unwelcome Dodgy Donner, Red, ugh. This Flaky Paratha was peeled open to reveal Brown Mince, a classic example of – Less is More. The Paratha was annoyingly Quartered, or was it. Having consumed the largest quarter, there was decidedly more than three quarters of a Paratha left. It’s a mystery. Anyway, there was plenty of Bread, no way could I eat all this.

A couple of Young Ladies were sat at the table immediately in front of me. I couldn’t help but observe their progress. Their Mains appeared to be Nibbles accompanied by Whole Parathas. (as Hector prefers)

I don’t like the Paratha – said the Younger to The Waiter.

He was puzzled, the thought bubble was obvious – wtf not? Both Weans exchanged their Perfect Parathas for Poppadoms. I blame the parents.

A Feast, not a Famine

Once I could actually touch the Paratha and so Dip, the Lamb Sookha Bunah was tackled. Slightly Under-seasoned was my first reaction, however, the Seasoning in the Paratha counteracted this.

Lamb Sookha Bunah

Chef was showing no mercy, this was a Spicy Curry and some, nay problem. The Oil collected around the edge of the plate as I observe in the Curry Dishes I enjoy most. The Minimal Masala was Thick and Familiar, it was identical to the Masala Mash served in the heyday of Glasgow’s Cafe Salma. Then there was the Lamb.

A Young Waiter approached.

Everything OK?

I could only raise my thumbs.

He dropped off a pile of napkins.

No more needed to be said.

I have researched the term – Sookha, the translation is Famine, this portion was huge. The Quantity of Meat justified the £11.95 charge. The Flavour of the Lamb itself came through, Sucky Bones were to the fore. The Marrow was present in some bones adding extra Flavour. At times I could sense the pleasure that Glasgow’s New Karahi Palace can create, the highest of accolades. With Methi it would have been a cross between Cafe Salma and New Karahi Palace. Instead the Chunky Green Chillies were the Source of alternative Flavour. The taste-buds were being worked hard, this was a Joyous Experience.

What a difference it makes to be find Lahori/Punjabi Desi Cuisine served properly.

The Bill

£18.40. Above the average, however a Pukka Establishment. The portion was well worth the extra.

The Aftermath

The Calling Card was issued, there was little interest. It was approaching closing time.

How do Restaurants survive being open only six to seven hours a day?