Are they open? – asked Marg as we headed off to pick up Sandy and Tracey.
I assume so, I’ll phone.
And so Lahore Karahi (145 King St, Aberdeen, AB24 5AE) was phoned, how often does one use one’s Moby as a phone? The call was answered, it was established that they were not busy, a table was booked for 19.30 regardless. Knowing that Lamb on-the-bone is available with an hour’s notice, The Hector thought this a good Opperchancity to raise the topic. Should I order now? I was assured all would be possible when we reached the Restaurant.
The Four Diners of the Curryopolis entered just before 19.30 to find the place empty. The optimum table was chosen, adjacent to where Marg and Hector had observed all the Shenanigans on our last visit earlier this year.
Menus were provided, were these new? I checked the price of a Tandoori Roti, still £1.20, there is a Sanity Clause. Hector has yet to have Lamb Karahi on-the-bone at this venue. I really should present, make my order, then return the next day. When it came my turn, I showed photos of Yadgar’s – Goshat Karahi. Does your Karahi have big chunks of Onion and Capsicum? I was assured not. Can you make it with the Minimal Masala as shown here? Sadly, the Waiter admitted theirs would be – more Soupy. It was suggested I should have phoned it in. One day.
On my last visit, the Methi Gosht (£8.45) impressed, as did a near Perfect – Keema Paratha. The Curry-Heute Test is always – can this be repeated? However, The Hector still had Lamb on-the-bone in mind, it was in the Restaurant, let me at it.
Is Methi Gosht available on-the-bone? The Waiter went to check, all was well.
With Extra Methi and Spicy please. Sorted. Oh, and a Keema Paratha (£3.50).
The Menu says – Keema Aloo or Peas. Last time we persuaded them to give Marg Keema Aloo Mutter. Ironically, Marg found the Potatoes to be – too much. Tonight it would be Keema Mutter. A Chapatti was asked for, I reminded Marg that Tandoori Roti (£1.20) is what was on offer.
Sandy had made his mind up quickly – Bhindi Gosht (£8.50) with an Onion Kulcha (£2.50) to accompany. Tracey had been taking her time. Chicken Chilli Masala ((£7.95) with a Tandoori Paratha (£2.50) completed the Order.
As we waited, so two other couples arrived. One placed a Bottle of Wine on the table. I do not know what the corkage fee is, if any. Sandy had hoped for Lager of some description, Marg offered to go out to the car and bring in a Bottle of Wine. The Chaps settled for Tap Water. It is about time they had Sparkling Water here.
A Colourful Salad was placed mid-table, a welcome gesture. Four Hot Plates were then set before us, I could bring The Mother here. The Mains arrived soon after.
The Methi Gosht came first, it looked the part, Fresh Methi strewn through the Masala, this had the potential to be Great. The Keema Mutter was as Dry as it should be served. Sandy’s Bhindi Gosht impressed superficially, however, when he decanted the contents to his plate, I worried that the ratio of Okra to Lamb was weighed excessively towards the Vegetable. The Chicken Chilli Masala was all that The Hector would avoid. As is seen, even the Camera protested at having to photograph this Chicken Curry.
Methi Gosht on-the-bone
From the first taste there was a Blast of Methi plus that particular Lamb Flavour which can only be achieved by cooking the Meat on-the-bone. The Spice was Fine, a bit more would have been tolerable. The Seasoning was Sufficient in one mouthful and lacking in the next. I then realised that the Temperature of the Dish also varied from as Hot as I would like it, to approaching Tepid in in parts. Stir the Curry, Hector! The Lamb was Soft-Tender to Suitably Chewy and in double figures. Six Bones were leftover, three of them Sucky. The Bone Marrow made all the difference.
The Paratha, thankfully served whole, was too well-fired and suffered slightly as a consequence. Still Flaky despite the Meat Stuffing is difficult to achieve. The Mince last time was served as Grains, as one hopes for. This evening the Layer of Meat looked like Light Brown Donner, a first. Better than most, not quite perfect, the Paratha did the job. From the first dip of the Paratha into the Peripheral Oil, I felt this was going to be a worthy Hector Curry. When I reached the half Large Green Chilli there was an air of familiarity. This was indeed a Hector Curry, very enjoyable, not quite Perfect.
Keema Mutter
Hector would have asked for Methi to be included, Marg has no such obsession. Without the Potato, this time Marg was able to clear her bowl, apart from her half of the Large Green Chilli. I assured her that served – Raw – they retain their Kick, these had been cooked-in and therefore had lost their edge.
Not too spicy – was Marg’s verdict. Very enjoyable, a good texture, spicy. The Chapati was quite hard, a good choice.
Hector-the-Insufferable had to remind Marg that she had ordered a Roti, and Rotis do Crisp on cooling.
Bhindi Gosht
Sandy was the only one of us to use his plate. He made a positive announcement soon after starting. It was clear he was enjoying this. The Okra-laden Curry was not too much for him. I mentioned how difficult it is to serve Okra spot-on, it turns to Pulp too readily. He assured this me this was Fine.
I thoroughly enjoyed it. It had texture, flavour, but was warmer than I expected but that’s OK. I really enjoyed the Onion Kulcha (Naan).
Chicken Chilli Masala
With more Masala than the other three Dishes served to our company, I awaited Tracey’s quote with interest.
A tasty Curry, but I couldn’t tell you now what I had. It was more textured than I am used to, not as soup-like as I am used to. Tender Chicken, I enjoyed my Paratha.
A Curryspondent once chastised The Hector for always ordering the same thing. When I dine alone, which is a common occurrence, inevitably it is only the Hector Curry which can be reported upon. Dining in Company leads to Diversity. Tonight we had the Antithesis of the Hector Curry plus three entirely different Dishes.
The Bill
£47.55. I like the prices at Lahore Karahi. The Mains and Accompaniment together were less than the Base Curry Price at Light of Bengal last evening.
The Aftermath
Sandy announced he would most certainly return. (With a couple of Cans?)
No Calling Card was presented, I have been here often enough, I am also Friends on a certain Social Medium.