Glasgow – The Village Curry House – Lunchtime during Ramadan

It is the day to take The Mother of Hector for a Lidl Shopping. As ever, Curry-Heute follows. The rain has fallen non-stop since last night, I had to find a parking place as near as possible to a Curry House, The Village Curry House (119 West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA) tends to have space outside the main door on West Street. Success.

Walking in through the near empty premises at 13.45, I knew all would be different in two days time when Marg and Hector turn up for the Buffet after the Ramadan Fast at 22.00. Six fellow diners were in situ, four of these were leaving. This would be the quietest I have ever seen The Village.

The Lunchtime Doris has been rejuvenated, she brought Lunchtime Menu, I asked for the Main Menu also. The Lahori Lunch (£5.95) suits Mother, smaller quantity, a Basic Curry with Boiled Rice, exactly what she requires. The two courses included Vegetable Pakora, this would come Hector’s way.

For a change my choice was Lamb Tawa (£7.95), this was confirmed as being – Hot – and – on-the-bone. Mushroom Rice (£2.50) would accompany. Two Dips were brought along with a Jug of Tap water, all expense spared.

During the wait I went up to inspect the labels above the empty Tureens. Kofta Anda, Lamb Bhuna and Lamb Karahi were three Standout Dishes. Various Vegetable and Chicken Dishes may suit others. Two more days. Of course there is no guarantee that these same Dishes will be available on Thursday. No Daal Makhani?

Mr. Baig, Mein Host, passed by and told me I should be coming at night. I informed him I am booked in for Thursday, thank you, Irram. He brought the Vegetable Pakora over himself, three pieces, with a Modest Salad. Mother munched on the Salad Bits, Hector dipped, then devoured, the Spicy Pakora, a Soupçon.

The Waitress brought The Mains. The Lamb Curry came with the Rice already on the plate, half and half: a Standard Blended Masala with four Decent-sized pieces of Meat. Mother needed to cut each of these, so not a bad portion for the price.

It’s delicious! – was an early remark by Mother. For once I did not sample the Masala, I trusted it would have the distinctive – Village Taste.

I enjoyed that very much, it was lovely – was her appreciative comment towards the end. The tanginess on the tip of her tongue lingered. A Fine Curry.

Lamb Tawa

The Masala in the Tawa was a game of two halves. The Thick Yoghurt-rich mass shrouded the Meat. Meanwhile a Thinner Oily residue had collected at the base of the Karahi. The Lamb was in double figures, a Village Treat, I have criticised the Portion Size here in the past. The Lamb Tawa was – Piping Hot – the joy of the restaurant being so quiet. Too often, when dining here in company, one has to wait for all the Dishes to be assembled. The result is often Tepid Curry, not today.

The plate of Mushroom Rice was a Sensible Portion, there would be no Wastage here. Surely Chefs must know how much Rice the normal customer can eat? Why charge an individual £4.00 for a Mountain of Rice as is too often the case?

Two years ago at New Cafe Naseeb, I met the former Village Chef who claimed to be the Originator of – Lamb Tawa. A pity this Bradford Franchise did not last. This is the first time in years I have ordered Lamb Tawa. At times it has been indistinguishable from The Village – Lamb Desi Kourma. This interpretation was rich in Black Pepper, the Yoghurt also appeared to be partly curdled. This was no doubt due to the Temperature of the Curry.

Only two pieces of Lamb were on-the-bone, so there was a lot of Meat. The most Tender of Lamb, cooked to Perfection, the Mushrooms offered the required Diversity. The Spice Level was far from being OTT, very comfortable, enough. At first I felt the Seasoning was – under – but as I ate on this was found to be adequate. I kept waiting for – The Village Wow – but it never came. A Good Curry, it’ll be back to the Lamb Desi Kourma for my next outside of Ramadan visit.

The Bill

£16.40. Who could complain about this? Great value.

The Aftermath

Did I mention it was raining?

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2 Responses to Glasgow – The Village Curry House – Lunchtime during Ramadan

  1. johns says:

    Steady Hector. Their chip’n’cheese are apparently outstanding.

    Hector replies:

    Good to see you’re still paying close attention, John!

  2. Kate Standish says:

    Strange. this post is interesting, of course, but Village Curry house doesn’t seem to have that good of a reputation.
    https://restaurantguru.com/Village-Curry-House-Glasgow
    They mostly say that the food is bland. But it looks like a trend – complaining about food in any curry house in Glasgow, like Curry Heaven
    https://restaurantguru.com/Curry-Heaven-Glasgow
    Maybe it’s prejudeice, maybe there’s something wrong with Glasgow curry. I didn’t get the impression that it was much worse than the curry I enjoyed in the US or in England.

    Hector replies:

    Welcome, Kate, to Curry-Heute.
    I have championed the Curry served at The Village for a decade. It is fair to say that if one orders – Bland – then that is what one will be served. Venues which serve genuine Desi-style Curry have to be appreciated. I trust you read the subsequent Blog entry on their Ramadan Buffet? The Village remains one of Glasgow’s finest outlets.

    I have never been to Curry Heaven but believe it to be a Kebap/Pizza/Curry Takeaway. Standards in such establishments tend to be lower, Curry produced in minutes. However, one such Glasgow venue started out as such: Yadgar Kebab House now defines the very best of Glasgow Curry.

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