Bradford – The Punjab Sweet House – Visit #1

Punjab Sweet House (122-126 Listerhills Road, Bradford, BD7 1JR) is a name first mentioned by a taxi driver who picked us up from The Fighting Cock on January 2^nd this very year – he was taking us to The International. Ricky, our local Bradford Curryspondent had not been, but then he admits to resting on his laurels – time Ricky went exploring. In short, the taxi driver recommended the Punjabi Sweet House.

Ceteris Paribus, there should be a Prog Report tomorrow to accompany the long overdue rendezvous with John – The Bradford Curry Blogger. The main reason why Hector drove south this very day is to see a band (tomorrow in Rotherham) last seen in Ashton-Under-Lyne – the day of a Princess’ Funeral. Tempes Fugit. Free accommodation at Chez Holden and the opperchancity to consume quantities of Bradford Curry was another attraction.. At the time of writing, Ricky unveils a fourth Grey Lady Down CD that Hector never purchased – guess what tomorrow’s Gig will be!

Leaving Helensburgh at 15.30 it was a somewhat frustrating drive down the M74, M6, M61, M62 and M606 to Bradford. Why do people drive at 60mph? Why am I not allowed to drive at 100mph? In the late 90’s this was normal – but the destination was not always Prog…

Hector was just passing Bury when a Hungry Holden called – I was half an hour away. A quick Check-in and a taxi took us to Listerhills Road. The Sweet House has an impressive exterior, we found the door at the third attempt.

Ashdot

There is a waterfall screening the Takeaway from the Restaurant. Wait here to be seated – aye right. A Chap in a Green Polo, OK they all wear that, took us up a stair to the rear. I speculate that more than fifty can be seated here in comfort. Ricky reckoned this place was Posh-for-Bradford. There were no table cloths, nothing pretentious. Suitably-Spartan was my impression.

The Menu had a twin pricing structure – if only The Village (Glasgow) would introduce this. A standard portion of most Curry was around £7, the Large £10. No prizes for guessing what Hector would order. Ricky decided that for control purposes he would have the basic Karahi Gosht – oh to be in Bradford and consider this the norm. Hector had spotted Karela Gosht on the Takeaway Menu in the momentary wait for our table, it had to be. No Chapattis on offer – Four Roti (60p) were the accompaniments.

The Best of Both Worlds

Starters were discussed. Four hours fifteen minutes in a Passat and only three Grey Lady Down CDs played – the appetite was fierce. Shami Kebab I thought, Seekh Kebab thought Ricky – two portions each – share.

The Kebabs came not immediately, but soon enough. The Seekh was standard, Spicy. The Shami (my choice) was the Perfect Burger. I was imagining it served with Bacon and Cheese – Kosher and Halal – NOT! They don’t know what they miss…

Ricky and Hector had time to go for a pint between Starters and the Main Course – we didn’t. Enough time to let the Starters go down, then we thanked ourselves for having ordered them, we would have been champing had we not done so.

Another waiter in a Green Polo arrived with a Laden Tray. Ricky was impressed by the portion in his standard Karahi Gosht, then The Hector saw his Large One – ooh err, Missus. This was a Curry Portion. If only all establishments would employ this system.

Ricky was a Happy Chap, he was impressed by the Portion, The Flavour, the Quality of The Lamb, a Big Thumbs-Up from Ricky. However he did concur with Hector’s negative statement.

One Dab please, and maybe more

Hector’s Karela Gosht is captured well in the photo – it was swimming in Ghee.  I have to admit that it is here where I usually find that The Bradford Curry Taste manifests itself, some Oil is necessary. The Bradford Curry Taste was there. The Lamb was cut in small pieces – In The Bradford Style – the Flavour Ooozed – but so did The Oil. I draw the Reader’s attention to a Blog entry for Akbar’s (in Glasgow) when Shabir Hussain owner of the Bradford based Chain of Curry Houses took me on a tour of his premises and showed how the Chefs Dab the Curry at least three times to remove the excess Ghee. The Bitter Vegetable was certainly present but did not have the impact that Hector has experienced in the off-the-planet Glasgow Outlet – yes the New Karahi Palace serves the best version of this I have encountered. How often has Hector favoured a Glasgow Outlet over a Bradford one? A first! Times they are a-changing?

The Roti are worth a mention too.  They did not crisp up as they tend to in most outlets.  They were edible to the end, most impressive, indeed the sheer quantity defeated the Hector.  The Curry portion was more than adequate – a less than subtle way of stating that satisfaction was  attained. I’m in Bradford, eating Curry. This makes me a Happy Old Hector. The Punjab Sweet House may not rival The Sheesh Mahal or the International on my first sampling, maybe I shall be invited back. I put these statements in to plant the seed.

The Bill

£24.95.  Ricky thought it would be more. This is still a Bradford Curry Café, no way as Posh as Ricky suggested. Good food, value too.

The Aftermath

Paying with Plastic necessitated at trip to the Takeaway Counter. The Calling Card was presented. I shall show this to The Boss said another very well spoken Chap in a Green Polo. I hope he does.

To The Fighting Cock, after all, it is a Friday Night…