Maureen’s Charity Curry Night 2014 – Curry on the Hill

A change of Venue this year for Maureen’s Charity Curry Night in aid of Indian and Sri Lankan Orphanages, sees The Friends of Hector assembled at Curry on the Hill (3 Bemersyde Ave, Mansewood, Glasgow, G43 1EN). This is a Venue that made a great impact on Marg and Hector at the end of April. Mein Host, Sonny, was most welcoming. Jindy, His Dear Lady, contacted me a couple of weeks later to confirm that I would be invited to sample their new Desi Range before they made the Final Decisions about what should go on a New Menu. Tonight, it would turn out, would be a significant step along this road.

The Poster said – All You Can Eat Buffet. For some this can be a modest amount. For those who starve themselves in advance, this can be quite an intake. People, I find, normally overdose on the Starters and then do not do the Curry Range justice. With only Vegetable Pakora listed this should not have been a problem, however, a couple of days ago, Maureen sent out an email advising the Attendees that Sonny was expanding the Starter Range to include Poppadoms and Dips, Achari Potatoes, Desi Mushrooms and Masala Chips. So no chance of – Overdosing on Starters – then.

A CAMRA meeting restricted the number in our party this evening, Eleanor, Steve and Anthony were the willing Co-Diners, Michael as ever would join us at our table. One day he will have a Southside Curry with Hector, Michael lives in the Heart of the Southside Curry Land.

Arriving just on 19.00, Sonny gave Marg and Hector his now customary warm greeting. I had to ask about Jindy. Once again she was elsewhere looking after the Weans, however I was assured that she would try to come in. Sonny suggested that I try not to fill myself with the Buffet Starters, he had a Couple of New Starters for me to try. Hint taken.

We were shown up to the raised room where the array of TVs adorn the walls, a perfect room for watching the World Cup, though for Brasil v Mexico, the sound would have be muted. Fair dos.

Maureen and Graham were sorting Raffle Prizes and were surprised to see us so punctual. Eleanor arrived punctually, too, Steve and Anthony had left themselves the walk from Thornliebank Station, just what they needed on the Warmest Day in Glasgow this year, so far.

This was not a night for Sparkling Water, time to try the Italian Lager that is currently ubiquitous. The Chap behind the Bar was happy to deliver the Drinks to the table until the Younger Help were in place. It was clear we were going to be well looked after, more than just a Buffet.

Returning to the Bar Area once more, a Young Lady with Two Young Children was near the Entrance. She looked at the Hector and clearly recognised me – Jindy! Introductions were made and the Photo Opperchancity was not to be missed. Sonny came by and so a Family Snapshot was obligatory. On my last visit Sonny had been Camera-shy.

Our table was last to go up for the Starters. The Achari Potatoes was what I was looking forward to most, a Decent Tang. The Desi Mushrooms were in a Creamy Masala, I was going to see a lot of Cream this evening. Not a huge fan of Chips, I had but a few of the Nandos Impersonation.

If One is going to have Chips then let’s have them Spiced! The Vegetable Pakora was Outstanding. Very Fresh and Spicy too. What made the Pakora – Special – was the Seasoning. As would become apparent throughout the evening, Sonny is very much in agreement with Hector that Curry needs Salt, else Blandness prevails.

Well that was The Buffet Starters, for Starters. Sonny brought out Four More Platters: Egg Pakora, Jeera Chicken, a Creamy Aloo Dish, and Spiced Chicken. Those on the adjacent tables looked on with Puzzled Expressions. Who he? Maureen explained to her table,- its a Curry-Heute thing – KHHIP!

Steve and Anthony were first to remark on the Very Impressive Egg Pakora, Hector was too busy photographing everything that was new. Pickled Egg – was the verdict. The Tang was prominent, Achari Eggs in effect, Superb! The Creamy Potatoes were, well, Creamy, not dissimilar from what we had already, else it was lost on me. The Spiced Chicken was last to arrive, BBQ/Tandoori was evident. You know how the Food is cooked – Sonny remarked later when he came to ask for our impressions.

The Highlight of the Supplementary Starters was the Jeera Chicken. Jeera, aka Cumin, is from experience, the Aroma of North Africa. The Powdered form is Fine, the Seeds however, pack a punch. Again served in a Creamy Cloak, the Flavour from the Cumin with the Chicken was Intense. I know someone who could come here and eat this all day. Jeera Chicken has to go on the New Menu!  Achari Eggs too!

The Main Courses on offer were decidedly Mainstream. Again bringing up the rear, Michael agreed with my strategy of having the Bhuna Lamb with the Desi Vegetable Curry and some Naan first, then tackle the Chicken Tikka Masala and Minimal Rice with whatever appetite remained.

The Vegetable Desi featured Kadu, I have not bought this for a while. The Lamb Bhuna had very Tender Meat and a Rich, Dark Masala. Both were Pleasant but Undemanding, this is what One expects in Buffet Curry, the Food has to be served such that Everyone present can eat it. One Piece of Naan was the Accompaniment. Minimal Bread is the Tactic in Buffet Curry Consumption.

By the time Michael and Hector went up for the Chicken Tikka Masala we were approaching The End Game. Minimal Rice and a decent helping of Chicken in its Rich, Creamy Masala.

Minimal Rice, the Key to surviving a Buffet!

How much Cream had I consumed already? Steve had returned with a New Vegetable Curry but none was left when we reached the trays. Steve was not taken by it. Sonny himself told us to hang on whilst another Tray of Vegetable Desi #2 came out.

Only a Smidgen of the Vegetable Desi was taken. Now Hector has nothing against Vegetables, but Meat is where it’s at.

Okra and Onion Featured, as did a Blast of Seasoning. I would love to sample this again. There was no evidence of the Chicken ever having visited a Tandoor. Chicken Korma was a fair description. Perhaps – My Friends had eaten it all.

There had to be a Photo of Hector consuming – Chicken Tikka Masala, a Rare Event. It’s amazing what a Buffet can make One do, Self-composure maintained.

The Ladies had stopped eating. Graham was away doing the Raffle. We declined to have our plates taken from the table. Sonny had, unbelievably, promised more Curry Dishes to try. It was just as well I had reinforcements. More would have been welcomed: here was Dr. Stan, Jamie, Howard, Archie???

The Majority had finished the Fruit Cocktail, I had asked for Digestion Time and so the gap was appreciated. Marg was keeping tabs on whether I would eat my portion of Fruit Cocktail.

The placing of a Bowl of Rice and Plate of Naan Slices preceded the arrival of Three more Bowls of Curry from the Kitchen, then a Fourth! Steve had given up. Only Michael and Anthony were up for more, though Eleanor’s Fork did make the odd appearance.  Eventually Graham returned to graze.

At this point Michael suggested a concept for a t-shirt – I fed Hector!

The possibility of establishing Curry-Heute Awards bubbled up again.

Lamb Mint, Chicken on-the-bone, Vegetable Desi #3 and a White (Chicken) Karahi looked like an Unconquerable Mountain of Food. We could but sample-nibble. If the Extra Starters caused those nearby to stare in wonderment, the Extra Mains had them gob smacked. Who is this Guy?

The Lamb Mint was up First. The Masala was suitably Thick, the Seasoning was again up to the hoped-for standard in any Curry. Mint is not amongst Hector’s Favourite Flavours, fortunately the Mint was not Overwhelming and so – A Pleasant Variation – is the verdict here. Sonny would state later that this would be served – on-the-bone – in future. Anthony was motivated to give an on the record quote – The Minty Lamb was a Subtle Melange in which the Mint did not dominate.

The Vegetable Desi #3 had a Dark Masala, Thick with Shredded Onion and featuring Carrots, Peas and Okra. The Kick was there and the Seasoning was a Blast! This was definitely High on the Erlangen Scale of Seasoning. One feature of the Curry served at Curry on the Hill that was becoming apparent was the avoidance of –The Needless Red.

By this time the Limits to Consumption were rapidly approaching. Only a Soupçon of the Chicken on-the-bone could be faced. As with the Lamb, there was a Dark, Thick, Well-seasoned Masala. The reason for dismissing this was down to the word Spreading around the Table. Michael and Anthony had both been taken aback by the White Karahi. Bearing absolutely – No Resemblance – to the White Karahi served recently by Waris at the Desi Curry Palace.

I was amused when Sonny presented this Dish with this Name. Again a Chicken Dish with a Creamy Masala, this was not for the Faint of Heart. When Sonny came over for my Verbals, I described the White Karahi as being similar to Makhani. He did not disclose the presence of Cheese, indeed he was giving nothing away in terms of Recipes. And why should he?   Has Hector really just highlighted Two Chicken Dishes?

Hector knows his Curry, and how it is cooked – was Sonny’s remark to the rest of The Company.

Eleanor summed up the evening – Very Tasty. Would be keen to return and sample more of the Desi, when I have the room!

The Banner said – All You Can Eat Buffet. We could eat no more.

The Aftermath

Graham and Maureen announced that more than £500 had been raised for their Nominated Charities. There is talk now of holding this event Twice a Year. Hopefully it will not be during a Holiday Period or when there is a CAMRA Meeting.

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