It is twenty years since I set foot in Luxembourg, long before Curry-Heute was imagined. Dr. Stan suggested we come this way: instead of the journey up Das Rhein, we go down the Mosel. The Ibis Breakfast meant he did not require Lunch.
With half a dozen Curry Houses to choose from in Luxembourg City, I chose the one with the least contrived name, – pres de la Gare – and this side of the gorge which separates the Station from the Altstadt. I walked over the gorge in 1997, I had no desire to repeat this.
Restaurant Orchidée (9 Route de Thionville L-2611 Luxembourg) is a Bangladeshi and Indian Restaurant I discovered upon arrival. Having walked south to get there, in the opposite direction to the rest of the City, I was not about to double back and start again. Some you win…
Entering Orchidée at 13.15 on this Friday Lunchtime, I walked past five Diners at two tables to find a group of eight sitting in the rear. A Waitress approached me and pointed to the small tables remaining – front of house. I sat with my back to – The Three. A Chap, clearly Mein Host, brought the Menu and Drinks Menu. Sparkling Water (€3.50) was ordered. I had another 500ml Bottle of Sparkling Water in my jacket pocket which cost €2.00 at Brussel Zuid. The Orchidée water was suitably chilled.
The heavily bound Menu had pages for Beef, Chicken, Lamb and Seafood. I had considered a Fish Curry but the description given of – Fish Fry – (€25.00 !!!) did not sell it to me. Lamb it would be, it’s not unusual.
Yesterday at Punjab Tandoori Cuisine in Brussel, I was spoiled for choice. Here was a very Standard Menu, no Keema, Karahi or Handi here. I did my usual scan for Peppers/Capsicum – Poivrons – is a word I learned today. Few Dishes featured the Dreaded Ballast, of course sometimes Menus mislead.
Lamb Chili Bhoona (€17.90) looked to be the best bet. The description did not mention the thickness of the Masala, but come on, it’s a Bhuna. A Parota (€3.50) would accompany.
Mein Host took the Order. We agreed on Medium Spice. I deliberately asked for – Paratha – no reaction.
After some twenty minutes, Mein Host brought a Hot Plate and a Hot Iron, the Curry came moments later. Soup, Tomato Soup.
I had glanced at every Curry on entry, they were all this same – Tomato-Red – colour. This evidently was the House Masala. There was Rice too, inclusive as is often the European way, but not yesterday in Brussel. I had missed the part of the Menu where it said Mains come with Rice, else I would not have ordered the Paratha. The Rice came in a Sensible Quantity, still I had more than I would probably eat now that I had Bread too.
The Paratha was very Pale but impressed instantly. Served Whole, it was Light and Fluffy. On breaking the Paratha, it was beautifully layered inside. This was a Paratha, without Rice it might have been a tad Small, I most certainly had enough food in front of me.
This was further confirmed when the Lamb and Masala were decanted and carefully arranged on top of the Rice. The Slice of Green Chilli looked menacing, but one should not fear Large Chillies.
I started by dipping the Paratha into the Masala. Once more I found the – Taste of Europe. Curry in Europe is never served as – Earthy – as in the UK, with one noticeable exception. Roll on Tuesday.
I tackled the Lamb, it was Tender but was not giving anything to the Masala. This was Mainstream Curry exemplified. Far from being unpleasant, it is what is served across Europe because they think The Locals will not handle the – Real Stuff.
The Minimal Herbs were cooked in as opposed to sprinkled on top as is the UK custom currently. I managed to avoid a Clove.
If this Curry was Medium, then I would hate to find Mild. I cut the Chilli, this gave a required boost, much better. The Seasoning was decidedly lacking, then hang on, it wasn’t. On dipping the Paratha once more into the remaining Masala there was a marked improvement. I paused to think. The Paratha! The Seasoning here was giving the Masala so much more. I could happily have just ignored the Lamb and Rice at this point. This was Pleasure, it rescued the meal.
I still had six pieces of Meat left when I realised that I was losing interest. I separated the Lamb from the Rice, I hadn’t been expecting Rice, a waste once again. It’s a European thing.
Is it hot enough? – asked Mein Host.
At that moment I had just put some Green Chilli in my mouth.
Fine – was the reply.
The Lady who appeared to be in charge of Drinks asked in passing:
How is it?
It’s OK – ….. a brief reply, an accurate one. This Curry was – OK.
The Bill
€23.90 (£21.03) At today’s exchange rate. Can Hector afford Curry in Europe?
The Aftermath
The Lady took the Cash and so received the Calling Card and was duly shown Curry-Heute on the LG which has been very slow in the last two days. I was asked again how I had enjoyed my Curry. As ever I expressed my preference for Punjabi Cuisine over Bangladeshi. She summoned Mein Host, he is also the Chef I was told.
Mein Host told me that the Recipes here are his own interpretation of Curry Dishes, for example he prepares Vindaloo such that it does not have to be served so Spicy that people are put off. It can be set to the desired Level. The LG finally started showing the slider photos on the Homepage. The Keema Padora served at Glasgow’s Punjabi Charing Cross stood proud. Keema with Methi, not a Dish one is ever likely to find at Orchidée.
Did I mention how Wonderful the Parota was?
