One of the original Glasgow Curry Houses
The Koh-I-Noor (235 North Street, Glasgow, G3 7DL) is one of Glasgow’s original Curry houses dating back to its 1964 location on Gibson St, aka – The Khyber Pass. Hector did set foot in its first incarnation and has visited the current site over the years. In the late 1990’s this was the occasional venue of choice; it was open when no other outlet perceived a demand for Curry early on a Sunday afternoon.
The Buffet has been a major feature of their service. They were the first restaurant that Hector read the conservationist’s advice that greed would be penalised: eat all you can, leftovers will be charged for at the discretion of the management. This was sensible. – 6 more Naans please.
Tonight Hector was greeted by a mature Chap in the large waiting area at the doorway, a touch of Sydney Greenstreet in Casablanca. Drinks before a table allocation, now there is something that can add a significant amount to a bill, or make one’s night if a pre-booked table is not available and one is punctual. The Sparkling Water could wait.
There was half a dozen diners seated, this was the aftermath of Roman Abramovich’s latest failure in his alleged obsession in winning the Champions League. Hector was after a Curry-Heute, obsession, moi?
The welcome was warm, initially. Once the meal was ordered it felt a bit like badgering. At the end of the meal the conversation was banal. The calling card was delivered almost in absentia.
The menu had all of the traditional Glasgow Curry Dishes, well of course it should, this is why people come. The Buffet area has a water feature. The fountain in the middle of the room was still operating, the platters were being cleared. The décor is a wind up; it may have looked novel at the time of relocation, now it is just twee.
Hector described what he was looking for. The waiter was attentive and suggested the Lamb Handi was the menu match. A Vegetable Rice, of course, was the accompaniment.
Lamb Handi
The meal came very quickly. Is it just the Hector way of thinking, but the Buffet had just been cleared, surely not…nobody would do that…
The Curry was fine. It could not be faulted for consistency, volume, and spiciness, or lack of flavour. It simply did not have anything remarkable about which to become excited. The Rice was mountainous and had a copious Cauliflower and Potato content.
Having saved one’s hunger for this relatively late night meal it was of course devoured.
The Bill
£17.95
Is this not why The Village reigns supreme? The Rice was £4.50, Hector has just come to terms with a £3 Rice at Yadgar – but theirs is a culinary feast. Ah, the table cloth!
The Lamb debate
When Hector prepares Lamb it is never red at the end of cooking, nor does it have a columnar structure. I was assured that this was – Tender Lamb. I did not cook it so I do not know.