Usha’s – The Second Attempt at a Glasgow Vegetarian Indian Restaurant

Glasgow’s only dedicated vegetarian and vegan restaurant

An offshoot of nearby Tribeca, an American themed venue, Usha’s Indian Vegetarian (2 Byres Rd, Glasgow, G11 5JY) is to Hector’s knowledge the Second attempt at establishing a Vegetarian Curry House in Glasgow. John P (Vegetarian) and Hector dined at Mr. Singh’s in Elderslie St over twenty years ago in what I believe was the first. It didn’t last.

Hector loves his Lamb and his Fish. He has even eaten Chicken, calm. There is absolutely nothing wrong with eating Vegetables, indeed the term – Interesting Vegetable – permeates this Blog. And there is one Vegetable which is taboo in Curry-Heute. But, Vegetables alone? The Vegetable Curry served at Yadgar, when available, is one of Hector’s Favourite Treats. However, it is usually an accompaniment or prelude to the Main Event. Curryspondents Stewart and Alan said I would never visit Usha’s when it was first flagged a month or so back. Gotcha’, indeed.

Deja vu, all over again

Unbelievably Usha’s only opened four days ago at the start of the week. This venue has had many guises in recent years. Dr. Stan and Hector last dined here under the banner –  Pakistani Cafe – when the highlight was draught Delerium Tremens. The lasting memory is that of these premises as a branch of the Bank of Scotland, where Donald was convinced this was the dumping ground for the slow and inept. Nobody could rob this Branch – Donald always said, as we queued to get served. Indeed, somebody once tried, and was immediately caught. Ah, Wilson’s Bar (next door) in the 1970s, those were The Days. 

What was the door on the corner of Byres Rd. and Dumbarton Rd, is now a window. The new entrance is a somewhat small door on Byres Rd. As the venue was laid out in its days as an upmarket Bar, there remains a mezzanine. Hector was shown to a table for two near the former doorway.

The Menu was brought and studied. Without Meat, it read like a list of Starters. Tapas portions appeared to be the main concept, better have two then. The Dreaded Capsicum was listed in too many Dishes. I could have asked for these to be withheld, but on a first visit I like to sample what comes. Aloo Gobi is an all time Hector Favourite. Roast Indian Vegetables and a (Pricey) Vegetable Kheema Paratha should fill The Hector. Kheema? I would have to ask.

I was brought Tap Water and declined all offers of other liquid, twice. Mein Host took the order. I started at the Bread.

Vegetable Kheema Paratha?

We don’t have it.

Keema is (Lamb) Mince, so I shall never know what this was meant to be. An Aloo Paratha it was then. And, no, I don’t need a Drink?

The now less than trusty Samsung kept The Hector amused whilst the food was prepared. At 17.00, there were around four fellow diners. My table had a screen separating it from the main room. From what I could see, the room was delightfully laid out if one was allocated a window booth. I’m not sure I would be happy to sit in the central area. There’s the upstairs too, so if this venue is ever full, it could be some time before the central tables need be used.

Mein Host brought two Small Pots and a Quartered Paratha. Why do Chefs cut up Parathas in this way? It’s like serving two halves of a Bread Roll. It’s not the same as tearing off a strip of Bread.

The Portions were decidedly Tapas. The Aloo Gobi was attacked first.

The Aloo Gobi was suitably Dry, there was no – kick – to speak of. An attractive Mash occupied the base of the Pot. Pleasant, but undemanding. The Aloo Paratha stood out more. With embedded Coriander Leaves this had been cooked as Mohammed described to me earlier this week at Cafe Sizzler, the filling mixed in with the flour before cooking, not inserted. This was satisfying as the occasional burnt bits added even more Flavour.

The Roast Indian Vegetables of course featured Peppers. Red, Yellow and Green Capsicum, wtf? Potatoes, Okra and something else, a Mushy end of Courgette (?) added to the Diversity. With the Capsicum withheld and twice the portion this would have been most enjoyable. Oh, and more Seasoning, and a bit more of the Oil that had collected at the base. And maybe some Tender Lamb added too. Naughty Hector. Yes, this felt like an aperitif, satisfaction was not being achieved.

Mein Host came over to ask the courtesy question as I was finishing.

I’m disappointed to find Capsicum in this Dish, it’s not an Indian Vegetable. (Source – The Americas, as are Potatoes)

It’s very popular in North and South India – was his retort. Hector was not wound up.

It certainly is not – as Ahmed in Islamabad has testified, El T directly from India too, plus the many  Chefs, Hosts that Hector has discussed Curry with in the last fifty years. It is cheap, it is ballast, it has no place in Curry. Leave it for Salads and Stir Fries. Curry-Heute calls for all Curry Chefs to disregard it.

Mein Host said he would tell Chef. I felt as if I was being offered something else which was quite honourable.

I’m happy to eat what I ordered.

The Faither and Green Devil were calling, I was not for hanging about.

The Bill

£11.25. An acceptable price. However, I was still feeling shades of hunger.

The Aftermath

Mein Host informed me that Chef would (next time) replace the Capsicum with Baby Marrow. An excellent idea! The Calling Card was received with a raised eyebrow. I sought permission to take the photo of the main room before continuing my discourse.

I was asked how I enjoyed my Meal.

I’m not Vegetarian and so without Meat I felt the food was missing something.

We are strictly Vegetarian. – I was informed that most Indians are Vegetarian.

Indeed, by force of poverty, not by choice.

Point made. Now to spoil their day…

You are not, as your advertising states, Glasgow’s First Vegetarian Indian Restaurant. They may well be the only current Indian Vegetarian Restaurant. Has anyone noticed that Hector has yet to visit Mr. Singh’s India? Maybe I have not recovered from my last Vegetarian Curry. Twenty years ago? Or is it nearer thirty?

I wish Usha’s well.  Charming People with Conviction.

As is written, this venue has a habit of changing hands, regularly in recent times. 

Update 2021

At some point during Lockdown #2, I noted that Usha’s was about to be transformed into a restaurant selling alternative fayre.  This comes as no surprise, the venue may be jinxed.  I did return to Usha’s when they abandoned their Vegetarian stance, alas I left that day without eating. No Chef was on duty, no Main Course could be served.