Hector returned from the Bar at the Burgess Hill Beer Festival to find that Maggie had hatched a plan – even though we are due to have a Curry-Heute at Horley’s Jai Ho this evening, a Curry for lunch was mooted. Nowhere in Burgess Hill wanted to feed us mid afternoon and so it was back to Crawley and another visit to the excellent Downsman (Wakehurst Drive, Southgate, Crawley, RH10 6DH). This is a Pub which does not sell Interesting Bier, but now sells wonderful Curry.
The plan was to have a Light Lunch and not spoil the Appetite for this evening. I had to consult a reliable Curry Website to find out what I had eaten here on my first visit – Lamb Methi – perhaps the best one I had ever eaten. Clive decided this was the dish for him, and it was to be a Light Lunch, a Keema Nan. The Lamb Saagwaala sounded as if it could be a variation form the normal Lamb Spinach creation. As the Roti were a pricey £1.50, the Paratha seemed to be better value. Maggie ordered something quite different, a Chicken Stir-Fry – Roshan Ada Murgh along with a Mushroom Rice.
Clive went to the Bar to order the food. At this point I found a Comment by Bert from Belgium on my last visit. He highly recommended the Chilli Wang Wang and so the Light Lunch was expanded. This turned out to be a very generous plate of Spicy Chicken Wings. It was just as well we were sharing, nobody could have eaten a Main Course after this. The Wings were indeed Spicy and just in case there was an insufficient Kick, a small Bowl of Chilli Sauce was provided. We dipped but mostly ate the Chicken without. Chilli Wang Wang indeed.
Whilst we were waiting for the Mains, Ross called his Dad, he was in the neighbourhood and so would join us for a Curry.
The Roshan Ada Murgh arrived on a Sizzling Platter. The Chicken was coated in Spice, the rest was large-ish pieces of Onion and Capsicum. Maggie was determined not to eat the lot as time was passing. She enjoyed the dish but let Ross tuck in when he arrived.
I had to sample both of the Lamb Dishes to establish which was the Methi and which the Saagwaala, the latter had a slightly greater leaf content. Both dishes had a significant Yoghurt content. The Saagwaala was not overwhelmed by the Spinach as most Saag dishes tend to be. The Masala was incredibly Rich, the Lamb as Tender as Lamb could possibly be. The Methi may Out-Wow the Saagwaala, however both dishes are wonderful. The Chicken Wings were taking their toll, I only managed half of the Paratha. Clive described his Lamb Methi as having exceptionally Tender Lamb, exciting on the Palate, Tingling, not Burning…
The Bill
£33.85. This was paid in advance at the Bar and so made the presentation less personal.
The Aftermath
Ross ordered Chicken Achari, a Side of Saag Bhaji and Vegetable Rice. The Saag Bhaji looked like a typical Spinach Curry. For once I declined the offer to sample, a desperate attempt to let the food go down. Maggie is convinced that the photo of Ross will increase the Hit-Rate on this site. He looks like his Mum… Yes, that is him on the BMW too.
Four hours until our next Curry… it will have to be Fish.