Glasgow – Desi Cafe (Desi – Curry Palace) – By Invitation

glasgow-desi-cafe-curry-heute-1Two weeks ago, Hector took Mother to the newly opened Desi Cafe, offshoot and Dining Room of the Desi – Curry Palace next door. Ahmed, Mein Host, was delighted to receive us, another visit was arranged for today at 13.00. Having discussed the Various Dishes which delight The Hector, we were unsure as to what was coming our way. Anything but – Haleem or Liver.
Taking our table, we were greeted by the same Young Waiter as before. Some Chaps were waiting for Takeaways. Once everything had calmed down, a Pair of Poppadoms and some Spiced Onion was set before us. As no Menu was offered and no consultation as to our – Order – had taken place, I warned Mother that we would be accepting whatever came.
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Next to arrive was a Raita and a Salad, piled high. Mother recalled the mass of Rice she was served last time and so asked for a Small plate of Rice. Anticipating some version of Karahi given our conversation with Ahmed two weeks ago, Rice might not be appropriate. glasgow-desi-cafe-curry-heute-6glasgow-desi-cafe-curry-heute-7

A plate of Steaming Hot Basmati arrived soon afterwards, Hector took a modest serving assuming that Bread may yet be necessary.
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When a Plateful of Seekh Kebap and Lamb Chops were placed on the table, Hector knew we were here for the long haul.
glasgow-desi-cafe-curry-heute-11Mother is a simple – Lamb Curry with Rice – Customer. Even a Vegetable Pakora is outwith her culinary idyll. This was her first ever Seekh Kebap.
glasgow-desi-cafe-curry-heute-13Three halved Chicken Seekh Kebabs had been presented. Rich in Herb and Spice, these were very tasty. Mother remarked on the Spice Level, nothing she couldn’t handle, I think she was simply surprised.
Four Lamb Chops, four Substantial Lamb Chops. I hinted to Mother that this would not be all, but then was Hector being presumptive? When one is receiving Hospitality in the vicinity of Allison Street / Calder Street there had better be an appetite.
Three of the Lamb Chops came Hector’s way, it was the fairest tactic, Mother should  not be stressed by being overfed. Superbly Spiced, the Lamb Chops were Magnificent. Hector’s lips had that wonderful tingle. This experience was quite a departure for Mother who tackled her Chop with a knife and fork but soon abandoned this formality.

Two halves of Seekh Kebap and the Spiced Onion remnants were set aside. Meanwhile we had a mass of Basmati on our plates looking somewhat out of place.

Are you ready for the mains? asked the Waiter. Indeed. However, Mother knew she could not tackle another Course.
Not for me.
A choice of Naan or Chapattis was then offered. Sensing this was the appropriate accompaniment for what would follow, I declined. We had to tackle the Rice we had ordered.  Mother was full, like her First Born, she too considers this early in the day to eat. However, this was a Shopping Trip, hence the early start.
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Ahmed had been busy in the kitchen, he eventually passed us on his way to the door. A Big Pot had gone out and returned, puzzling. Ahmed apologised for being so busy. I assured him that I was glad this was so. Desi – Curry Palace is a well established Takeaway, the adjacent Desi Cafe with stand alone kitchen is a new venture. To come here and sit down may not have caught on yet. I was amused as we arrived to spot a Chap open the door to the Restaurant before realising his error and going to the Takeaway. But did he want Kebap/Pizza or Curry? Ikram next door, and Ahmed here, have assured me that Curry is now the prerogative of Desi Cafe.

glasgow-desi-cafe-curry-heute-14Two Karahi arrived, one with Lamb on-the-bone, the other a Distinctive White.
This is the White Karahi – the Waiter told us.
Namkeen Karahi – I concurred.
glasgow-desi-cafe-curry-heute-15Mother, on seeing the two Karahi, was concerned. I assured her that the Lamb Curry on-the-bone was not a Full Portion, I would manage.

A very Large Plate of Chicken Biryani then made a brief appearance. No way could I accept this. I pointed once more to the Basmati that was still plentiful. Hector had to be true to his own Campaign.
Arranging an identical Quantity either side of the Rice, Hector was set.
glasgow-desi-cafe-curry-heute-16The Lamb Curry was very well Seasoned, spot on. The Spice was Sufficient. A Chapatti would have been the better accompaniment, especially given that the Masala was close to Shorva. With no Ballast and such a Thin Masala, I had to give consideration to this being in fact a – Lamb Karahi. Whatever, it was full of Flavour, I could happily have eaten lots more of this alone. But.
glasgow-desi-cafe-curry-heute-17One does not encounter Namkeen Karahi often, indeed only really in the aforementioned Streets. I explained to Mother that this interpretation of Karahi is from the Lands of Pakistan-Afghanistan, that nothing – Red – is added, this is Meat cooked in Oil, Salt, Pepper with added Green Chillies.
A Soupçon was sent across the table.
Soft, creamy, very tender… lovely – was Mother’s description. This was indeed accurate. Hector was puzzled: what Meat was this?
The Meat was Light in Colour. It was Fibrous in the way that White Chicken is not. It was cut – Small, in Pearl-like pieces. This was unlike anything I had encountered. Turkey? Couldn’t be Pork, could it? Another Animal which once had Feathers? Ahmed was at the counter adjacent to us, taking phone orders. I had to ask.
Chicken. Chicken thigh. – was Ahmed’s response. He had mentioned Chicken Karahi when last we met so I had been prepared, this was so far from Chicken as I know it. Very Good Meat for Curry.
My Friends will kill me – I admitted. Hector eats a Chicken Karahi? I’ll never hear the end of this.

glasgow-desi-cafe-curry-heute-18A Very Young Chap had entered the premises. This is my Son – explained Ahmed.
Do you want to be famous?
And so the ritual Photo was taken.

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Leftovers were minimal. Still some Rice; a Seekh Kebap and a little Namkeen Karahi were taken home. Lunch for Marg? Why not The Hector?

 

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