Marg and Hector find themselves in Manchester for an evening en route to, well why spoil the surprise? We were too late to have Curry Lunch and Dinner, this did not stop me popping into Kabana to pay homage to Riswan. We’ll be back, but not tomorrow, Kabana does not open early enough.
You are living the life – Riswan always assures me. And why not? I worked long and hard for my pension.
Dera would be the usual evening venue of choice when visiting Manchester, however, a new discovery back in January had to be revisited, Hector was so impressed on Visit #1.
We walked past delhi2go (119 Oldham St., Manchester M4 1LN England) this afternoon, the first time I have seen it it daylight, a fine addition to the Curry Cafes in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
In January it was the negotiated version of Lamb Karahi which impressed, I had already decided to choose another Dish from the Lamb Specials: Classic Lamb Apna Style (£8.30). Entering around 20.30 the premises were empty.
A shiny New Menu awaited us complete with prices higher than January. Marg dismissed the Delhi Achari Lamb (£8.30), the first time she has told me she is not fond of – Pickle – even though Hector’s Home-cooked Curry tends to include this. For Marg it would be Lamb Chops Karahi (£8.30), she was unaware that this was my last great Curry intake served at Glasgow’s Karahi Palace last Saturday. Could delhi2go possibly compete with this? Marg asked for a Chapatti even though the Menu said Traditional Roti (£0.80). For Hector it had to be Paratha (£1.70), this impressed back in January, actually, it did so to start, then – died – somewhat.
The Calling Card was simply left with my debris on Visit #1, delhi2go was busy that night. This time I was determined to announce my presence from the start. The delhi2go Reiew #1 was called up on the LG and shown to the Chap who served us.
Have you seen this? I wrote it.
You have been here before – was the reply.
You have Methi? Last time they didn’t.
Can I have extra added, or sprinkled on top?
The Server was unsure and mumbled something about the Chefs. This can sometimes mean that the Curry is cooked off premises and no actual Chef is present, simply Chaps who reheat.
Are they Computers? I asked, in the hope that they could be reprogrammed to add Methi. He went to check, all appeared to be in order. If you don’t ask…
Two Bottles of Mango Rubicon (£1.80) would be the satisfying Drinks. 500ml Bottles, I have not encountered these yet in Glasgow and this drink is made by AG Barr of Irn Bru fame. So it goes. Polystyrene Cups, yeuch.
The Bill
£22.70 This was paid at the point of ordering. I liked the clarity of the receipt and so break a tradition and post this photo. Trampy and The Tramp, Glasgow’s original Curry Bloggers, always did this. I must mention that a new Blogger has joined the club – Glasgow Curry Blog. Given Curry-Heute’s – Tagline – well, time will tell.
I busied myself making a photographic record of the New Menu. Two Poppadoms were presented with Spiced Onions and Mango Chutney in a polystyrene container. Given that we had paid our Order in advance, this was most reassuring. Marg was way ahead of me, a string of – Mmmms – emanated from the Dear Lady. No side-plates were forthcoming so it was a case of Marg first, else we would have made a mess. The Chutney was the Thinnest of Sauces, the Onions were not particularly Spiced, just – Red. The Wonder that was Pete’s Spiced Onions served to The Company last Saturday at the Staggs (Musselburgh) inevitably came to mind.
A plastic plate appeared on the counter, our Order was being assembled. The Classic Lamb Apna Style was brought first – Gosh! – Wow! – Behold! The now Standard Ginger Strips and Chopped Fresh Coriander were on top accompanied by a generous mass of Chopped Green Chillies. The telltale Dry Herb had been sprinkled too, Hector had his Methi.
This was a Hector Curry.
The Breads arrived next, the Paratha was Huge, the Roti also. This was Serious Bread. The Roti appeared to have been made from Whole-wheat Flour, not Chapatti Flour, it would Crisp, as they always do. The Paratha was served – Whole – in all of its Glory. Why serve them in bits… The Layering and Flakiness that is sought was present. I would eat as much of this as the Curry would permit.
Marg couldn’t wait, she had already dipped some Roti in the Masala, too Spicy for Marg but she knew instantly that I would love it. Cutlery accompanied the Lamb Chops Karahi, the Masala clearly a Redder version of the Classic Lamb Apna Style, it had Tandoori Meat.
Classic Lamb Apna Style
Beneath the Toppings was the Thickest of Masalas. From the first dip the Seasoning hit hard, then the Spice. Whoever had prepared this should be congratulated already. With the Methi to complement the finely Chopped Tomatoes and Onions, this Masala had an excellent consistency. The abundance of Tomato Seeds suggested that this could well have been a Tomato-based Masala.
I did not bother to count the Meat, the Portion was Huge; it was a matter of balancing the Bread, the Meat, the Masala, the Pleasure. This was as Good a Curry as I have had in ages, better than many, this was Magnificent! Imagine if it had been served with Lamb on-the-bone?
Lamb Chops Karahi
The Masala looked distinctly – Red – under the lights of the Cafe. The flash photos reveal that it was not saturated with Red Food Dye as I originally feared.
Very good – was an early remark from Marg. The Ginger Strips were adding to the overall experience.
A Ginger Kick – followed on. The Chopped Green Chillies had been withheld.
I dipped some of the abundant Paratha into this Masala, it was a Tempered version of what lay on my side of the table, this suited Marg perfectly.
There are four Chops, I’m finding them a bit fatty.
This puzzled, in the end Marg could only manage three Chops. Hector had to step in.
The photo captured something that was only realised afterwards. The Chop was floppy, Tandoori Chops tend not to be like this.
Not only was Chop #4 – Fatty, it was full of Gristle. This was actually ruining the Dish. This Meat did not sit well in Hector’s mouth.
Clearly the Chops had been marinaded. Had they actually been cooked in the Tandoor or simply stirred into the Masala? As Hector was not in the kitchen, there can only be speculation, perhaps The Management will respond?
I could not recommend Lamb Chops Karahi as served at delhi2go. The Classic Lamb Apna Style is well worth the visit. Can they serve this with Fish?
The Aftermath
A walk was required, where better to head than the Marble Arch? No Lagonda Heute, Lagonda Morgen. Morgen Ausland.
