Crawley – Downsman Curry Club – Tiffin for Two

The Company have gathered in Crawley this evening for a Wake, with a difference. Lord Clive of Crawley – Is Not Dead Yet Party, the Wake that never was. Recent visits to Crawley have been arduous, certainly there was no Curry partaken of. All appears to be well.

As The Scottish Contingent were arriving by various means of transport and at varying times, The Hector arranged Curry with Debs, Crawley Resident and fellow Traveller going back many years. Debs has appeared regularly in Curry-Heute, she and Jim are long overdue the Glasgow Curry Experience.

The Downsman Curry Club (Wakehurst Drive, Southgate, Crawley, RH10 6DH) has not been visited this year, the address is also appropriate. Our Rendezvous was at 18.15, Debs had booked a table, the last one available due to England v Malta being live on the TV. Hector fetched the well-worn Menus from the bar, the prices have not changed since the launch of The Downsman as a purveyor of Indian Cuisine, nor therefore has the range of Dishes on offer.

After last night’s Extravaganza at Glasgow’s Yadgar, the thought of Lamb when I awoke this morning was the furthest thing on my mind. Fish would have been ideal, the choice at The Downsman is Vegetables, Chicken or Lamb. Lamb Handi Curry (£7.45) it would have to be, on-the-bone, and with Mushroom Rice (£2.50). I have learned to ask for Methi to be added to this Dish rather than order their Lamb Methi (£7.45) which does not come on-the-bone.

Debs chose Chicken Saagwaala (£7.45), Mushroom Rice and a Cheese Nan (£2.50). On admitting that she and Jim usually share a Rice and a Naan, I suggested we do the same. Cheese Nan?

A Young Barperson took the Order. She challenged the Handi with Methi.

Chef can do it, it was he who told me to ask for it this way.

It was written.

The Bill

£20.40. One pays at the bar in advance, so no Drinks were included in this. 50p appears to have been added for the additional Methi.

The Clientele at The Downsman can be Cosmopolitan, tonight the majority were – Yutes – swilling Lager with half an eye on the Fitba’ where not much was happening. 2 – 0 ? Scotland were due to kick off later, so one could not be over-amused at this modest score.

Two Hot Plates were brought by a Chap I did not recognise. Indeed, having spoken to the Staff here over the years and taken a multitude of Photos, there was not a single person on duty that I knew. The Plates were Hot, when the Curry arrived they were no longer. The Cheese Nan was served Quartered, I keep asking why they do this? There was enough Mushroom Rice to share, just.

Chicken Saagwaala

The appearance of the Chicken Saagwaala impressed, a Splendid, Thick Masala. This was not the feared Mass of Spinach with Chicken stirred in, nor was it the Creamy Spinach Dish served in Europe; though the Methi served here does have a Creaminess.

Saucy, with a slight kick.

Palatable for an Everyday Curry. – were Debs’ chosen words.

She did admit to usually having the Chicken Tariwala (£6.45) – which is hotter.

Lamb Handi Curry (with Methi)

The Curry did look a bit Pale, better this than Food Dye. The Masala was the Standard Indian Purée, Thinner than I have been served on previous visits. Two Large Bones featured, neither were Sucky/Marrow Bones and so one may conclude that others received these. The Quantity of Lamb was Sufficient, as Tender as one would expect.

Fresh Green Chillies, cut longways, added a Huge Kick. The Seasoning was a bit Down, so the Overall Flavour was not as Intense as one hopes for. The Handi was topped with Fresh Coriander and Methi. The latter may well have been Frozen Methi as Hector uses at Home. Whatever, more was required, this Curry did not have – The Wow Factor.

*

*

*

Cheese Nan

The Naan was Light and Fluffy. That one does not get to tear of Strips spoils the Fun of ordering a Bread. I limited myself to One Quarter. The Cheese added an extra layer to the Bread, an Experience, and not one I shall be in a rush to repeat. Hector has to be careful with Cheese, especially when an evening of Indulgence would follow.

The Aftermath

The Scotland v Lithuania match started. A – snide draw – was feared. 1 v 1 the final score.

And so Debs and Hector walked down to what was once – The Legion – now – Goffs Park Social Club.

Clive’s Not Dead Yet.