Cumin Tandoori, the always empty Curry House – I have been told – has been re-branded as The Essence – Indian Cuisine (401-405 Union St, Aberdeen AB11 6BX ), Curry-Heute will have to establish why. With this in mind, Hector set off for Lunch in Union Street, alas the premises may have been illuminated, but were not open. It was back to Holburn Junction and a fallback.
Blue Moon (11 Holburn St, Aberdeen AB10 6BS) and nearby Cinnamon were visited by Marg and Hector in our early years together dating back to a previous century. That we have not rushed back to either may well be ominous. For years the Jewel in the Crown was all, not any longer. Hector presently recommends three Aberdeen Curry Houses.
I walked in to Blue Moon just after 13.30, the place was empty. A Waiter was sat in the seating area beyond the Bar to the rear. He half looked at his watch whilst offering me a choice of tables along the wall. On my right were three booths set for three, the wall tables were set for four, three places were cleared as I took my seat. The Lunchtime Menu (£6.99), available 12.00 until 14.00, was brought, a laminated card. I asked for the Main Menu, I am not going to judge a Curry House based on minimal choice and Lunchtime Portions.
The Standard Dishes were all £9.95 for Lamb and Chicken, it is becoming more unusual to find both charged at the same rate. Lamb in the Chefs Speciality (sic) section was £10.95. Salmon was also on offer at £12.50, not bad considering the price of Fish Curry at other Aberdeen Curry Houses. The Bread prices were almost reasonable for Aberdeen: Naan (£2.90), and Paratha (£2.95), however, Chapatti (£1.95) remains unacceptable.
Dalhani Bhuna (£10.95) was nearly Hector’s choice today. I could have asked for the Chickpeas to be withheld, indeed, I could have eaten any that came my way. I by far prefer a Curry with Meat and Vegetables to just Meat and Masala. The promise of a North Indian Curry took me towards the Mughal-E-Azam (£10.95). Last night I had an Excellent South Indian Flavoured – Hot Madras (£11.99) – at Shri Bheema’s (Bridge of Don), it was time to return to my preferred North Indian Curry. To guarantee Vegetables, Vegetable Rice (£3.95) was the Accompaniment. Just to be sure I asked that no Capsicum appear in either of my choices. A 500ml Bottle of Sparkling Water (£1.95) completed the Order.
The disappearance of The Waiter into the kitchen gave me ample Opperchancity to grab some photos. That I was here to hopefully enjoy my Curry as well as review it did become obvious when both Camera and LG were put into action on the arrival of the meal.
I posted a photo of the Mughal-E-Azam on a certain Social Medium, without comment. Those who picked up on this were all as appalled as I am about to describe.
Red Curry is not Natural. Food Dye kills Flavour, an excess can take over as I discovered many years ago when I experimented with it for the Cuisine from places East of India. Why would a Chef add this to a Curry? I was determined not to soil the white tablecloth.
The description of the Curry did say the Meat was marinated in Tikka Spices. Red Spices do not colour food in this way. The Meat was cut small and mostly into strips. The Texture of the Lamb suggested this was Tikka Lamb as did the dark hue, I had specifically mentioned – Tender Lamb – at the point of ordering. I enjoy Lamb Tikka occasionally, all was not lost.
The Vegetable Rice was served in a smaller pot than I typically see in this style, a Sensible Portion. Broccoli, Cauliflower, Peas and Cabbage were encountered as I ate. This was a decent Vegetable Rice, as I would sadly discover, it had more Flavour than the Curry.
The Masala was decidedly Minimal, a plus. What little there was had been blended. The Seasoning was well below what I look for, the Spice Level not remarkable until I bit into one of the handful of Whole Green Chillies which were mixed through the Meat and Masala. The Chillies most certainly added some – Bite – to this Curry.
I kept waiting for Flavours to come through, familiar or otherwise. Was it the Tikka Spices masking all, the lack of Seasoning? The Vegetables in the Rice confirmed the taste-buds were working normally. A slight Sweetness emerged around halfway through, that was it. There can be much more to Curry than this. I could see why my number of visits here has been commensurate with the name of the premises. (It had to come eventually…)
Two Young Chefs departed at 14.13, neither looked old enough to be considered as – The Chef. Was this Mughal-E-Azam the same as I would have been presented with of an evening?
The tablecloth remained pristine.
The Bill
£16.85. Aberdeen Prices.
The Aftermath
Are you working today? – The Waiter asked when he presented the change.
No, I have been retired for some years now.
I went to the window to get a phone signal, there was no point introducing myself without the Curry-Heute Website on the LG. The Blog explained, it was time to discuss the Curry.
I prefer Tender Lamb to Tikka – was my opening remark.
That was Tender Lamb – was the reply.
It was cut into strips.
Yes, that is how we cut both.
How was it?
Very Mainstream.
Average?
Yes, but Average is Good, I like Curry.
I would still rather have eaten what I was presented with today than the non-Indian alternatives. My issues are hopefully well described. There are three Curry Houses in Aberdeen I recommend, none of these is Perfect.
Update 2019
Blue Moon is the fifth Aberdeen Curry House to close in the near ten years of Curry-Heute.