You plan to eat Curry in Italy?
After Five Days in Italia, how much Pasta and Cous Cous does The Reader think The Hector can put away before the OCD kicks? This much!
I deserve a Treat and there’ll be plenty more Pasta consumed on this Trip.
Starting our Summer Vacation in Siracusa, Hector was not optimistic about there being any Curry Source. The Nasir Indian Restaurant near the Train Station was described by some as being their worst ever Curry Experience. Nothing could be as awful as the Indian Garden (Orkney) or Zwarg (Bamberg), surely? If it was I was willing to have a go. Alas, this Venue has gone.
The Curry scene in Catania was reported as equally Spartan in other Media Sources. A Chicken Shop again opposite the Train Station being all that registers elsewhere. Yesterday afternoon, as Marg and Hector were familiarising ourselves with the layout of Catania Marg spotted a shop selling Indian Costume Jewellery. The Shopkeepers must eat somewhere. Ask an Indian. The Chaps were Bangladeshi and came up with Locus which they drew on our map. The Plan was to go exploring tomorrow. No sooner had we left their premises than I spotted Oli Kebab and Indian Food at the corner of Via Paterno which runs parallel to Via Etnea which everyone can find. Oli was not selling Kebabs today. Closed for a Month said a Chap standing outside, however, he pointed further along Via Paterno to No. 19. – Pail Donar Kebab and Indian Food – was once again displayed proudly, in we go.
Mein Host offered us Kebabs, I enquired about Curry. He pointed to an empty display case – We are just open. He said he could do Chicken or Beef. I enquired about Fish. What sort of Fish? He asked The Hector. I put my palms together and did my Fish Impersonation. Everyone knows that Nobody in the Indian Subcontinent knows the names of the Fish they serve. Machi Masala – was my constructive statement. It was agreed that I would return today and eat Fish Curry. Later yesterday, we came across Two More Venues selling – Indian Food.
Shortly after 14.00 we entered Pail Donar Kebab (Via Paterno, 19, Catania, Sicilia). The single table makes the Desi – Curry Palace (Glasgow) appear Cavernous.
The Young Lady behind the Counter offered me Kebab. Mein Host was through the back, now how Big was that? I spotted an array of Curry Dishes in the aforementioned Display Cabinet adjacent to the table. The table was occupied by a Seven Year old on a laptop, clearly not a paying customer. She was quickly moved behind the Counter.
Mein Host appeared and took me through his Dishes. Lamb Curry – Stop! And Mutter Rice please, a Good Sized Portion of this was also on display. A Fan was blasting away beside the table. Was there room for Two to Sit?
Marg took a Soft Drink from the Fridge which was adjacent to the Display Cabinet and sat in the Micro-space created between the Wall, the Fan and the Table. A Plastic Cup was provided and went flying. A Two Year old kept Marg amused whilst we waited, only Hector was Dining.
A Soft Drink for Hector
I too helped myself to a can of Lemonade, the Plastic Cup was presented and it too went flying. Guess what? Marg turned off the Fan!
A Curry for Hector
A Plate of Salad, a Plate of Rice & Peas, and a Plate of Lamb Shorva on-the-bone was set before me. My First ever Italian Curry.
I was pleased to discover the Bone, I was even more pleased to find only One Piece of Bone. The Best of Both worlds. The Lamb was suitably Tender, not the Best Lamb I have ever encountered. Kleftico aside, Lamb can be Dubious around the Mediterranean and the Hector has suffered over the years as a result. Never have Mediterranean Lamb the day before a Flight.
This Curry was what Waris would have described as – White. There was no sign of Red Chillies, or any other Chillies for that matter, having been used. This was a simple Black and presumably White Pepper affair. There was a Decent Kick and a Surprising amount of Flavour. The Thin Masala disappeared into the Rice. A Couple of Pieces of Onion were found amongst the Rice, so this was used in the Curry preparation at some point. The Rice Portion was so Large I was eeking out the Meat. The Salad was initially Mere Distraction, however, I realised it was giving a Mediterranean Feel to the whole Experience. I ate on.
The Ritual Photos were disrupted. The Rest of Italy decided to have a Kebab. The Fridge, the Display Cabinet, the Table, the Fan, The Hector and Marg were joined by four Hungry Italians. OK, you can see where this is going…
For years I have been amused that when I visit my Favourite Glasgow Curry Cafés, the Local Asian Population tends to come in and order – Pizza! Here was the Yang to that Ying. The Italians go to a Source of Indian Food and order Kebabs. What’s wrong? Are they tired of eating Pasta and Cous Cous?
The Young Lady, evidently the Mother of the Weans somehow squeezed herself on the floor to join the Melee. I showed her the Curry-Heute on the Trusty Samsung, only £2.00 a day extra with Vodafone to use as normal Abroad. I think she got the hang of it. Her Husband? appeared briefly and had a look too. I established that they all hailed from Bangladesh. They had heard of Scotland and were interested in what was our First Language.
Another order for Kebab, this time a Fellow Diner. We were finally Three. Cosy.
The Bill
€18.00. Two Soft Drinks included.
The Aftermath
Mein Host was now well engaged. If you come back I will have Fish Curry for you.
With only One more Full Day in Catania, this may have put the Kybosh on any Plans Marg may have had to eat Italian.
It was agreed that I would return tomorrow and eat Fish Curry.