An overnight stay in London and No Curry-Heute? Yesterday was Marg’s Day, today it was agreed that after Brunch with her Cohort we would head up to Farringdon and the Café Saffron which came Highly Recommended by a Local.
An Unreliable Website stated that Café Saffron was open today from Noon until 14.30. I should have phoned ahead. It wasn’t. Today was not an exception, Café Saffron opens evenings only.
Rather than drag our Modest Luggage around London, Hector decided to accelerate the Plan for later this afternoon, get back towards Luton Airport early. St. Albans has been visited Twice in recent times as is reported in Bier-Traveller. Bedford Curry has always preceded a trip to St. Albans. This was the Perfect Opperchancity to redress the balance.
The Alban Tandoori (145 Victoria St., St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3TA) is immediately outside St. Albans City Train Station, I had never seen it open. Their Website suggested we could be in luck. The Chap answering the phone confirmed they would still be open at 14.00. Farringdon to St. Albans is just a short hop, we arrived at 13.40.
Taking a table to the rear, Mein Host relocated us to the middle of the room where we had more space. The Venue has evidently been redecorated quite recently, very Bright, Tablecloths to the fore. The Menu had a few new Curry Interpretations but mostly in Chicken. Bombay Blast was available in Lamb, Marinated Lamb. I have not had Lamb Tikka in a Curry for some time. The Bengal Spices, Medium Thick Sauce and the promise of the Aromatice Naga Chillies was enticing. A Plain Paratha would accompany, the term – Flaky – was used in the description, yay. For the Interesting Vegetable, an Aloo Gobi would accompany.
I was warned that the Bombay Blast would be Spicy. Spice is not a problem. – I disclosed.
Marg had Brunched already and so a Starter coinciding with my Main would suffice. Crunchy Phul-jhuree? Puréed Lentils, Spiced and served as Pakora.
A Family of Four were the Co-Diners. They were finishing Starters as we arrived and had ordered an array of Tandoori Dishes. When their Food arrived the room as filled with Aromatic Smoke. Despite the front door being opened, Mein Host switched on an extractor for a few moments. I then wished I had ordered Lamb Chops too.
The Luggage disclosed the fact that we were in transit. When I told Mein Host that we had stopped off in St. Albans for a Curry en route to Luton Airport and Glasgow, the Welcome Mat was rolled out further. The Calling Card was offered early. The Website was displayed on the Sloth-like Samsung. We were told that this Family run Restaurant has been here for some Thirty Years. Mein Host now knew for definite that we could have dined at any one of a Hundred Curry Houses between London and Luton, we chose the Alban Tandoori. That they were open on a Sunday Lunchtime was to their advantage. Not many Curry houses are open at this time. Maybe too many Peeps have Cold Curry for Sunday Breakfast?
The Food was wheeled out. I gave you extra sauce – said Mein Host as he placed the Bombay Blast on the table. Agh! To be fair, I had made no attempt to alter the – as it comes – and exclude The Unwelcomed. The Masala was indeed Thick, had a clear Vegetable Base and was not Excessive. The First Dip of the Flaky Paratha into the Masala revealed a Familiar Flavour, but what was it? In the end the Naga Chilli was held responsible. The Flavour was not Smoky as the Long Dark Red Chillies provide, however, these were Fine. Bombay Blast – indeed there was! Not a problem. The Lamb Tikka also gave off the anticipated Flavour. Served in Flat Strips this was easily cut with the Spoon preferred currently over a Fork. The Portion was Sufficient and Enjoyable. There’s more.
The Aloo Gobi had a distinctly different and Minimal Masala. The Cauliflower still had a Firmness, not The Pulp when the Dish has been lying out and reheated. As a Side, this was again a Decent Portion. A Good Combination, Hector!
The Paratha felt Naked without a Stuffing. This was a well prepared Paratha and again a Good Size. On a return visit I would ask for an Insertion.
Marg’s Phul-jhuree was Crunchy as claimed. Served with a Dark Sauce this disappeared all too quickly. Perhaps Five Pieces was a bit Stingy. Marg dared to take a piece of Lamb Tikka, she didn’t flinch. By the end of my eating, the Mouth of Hector was on fire. Marg kept her cool.
The Fayre here is Mainstream – Quirky. I would certainly consider a return visit, however, later we passed Three other St. Albans Curry Houses. Next time I fly back from Luton…
The Bill
£22.95. This included a Large Bottle of Sparkling Water.
The Aftermath
We were after the 14.30 end of Lunchtime session. Time to show Marg the Historic Market Street. Oh, we have a Festival today. Serendipity once again.