We had a choice of two Curry Restaurants, Moon Indian (Via Giuseppe la Masa, 2, 90139, Palermo, Sicilia, Italia) appears to have won.
It was a fair hike from Quatro Canti to the Port area of Palermo, strange how the front of this City has not really been developed as a tourist feature. There is a Promenade to the South, but no Promenaders.
Arriving just before 20.00, we were the first diners of the evening. We chose the largest table outside, the air felt better, though the next arrivals chose the inside. Our young hostess brought the Menus, simple and straightforward in any language, The Language of Curry.
As a Bangladeshi Restaurant, there was no sign of Hector’s Favourite – Karahi. Vindaloo is sometimes a suitable fall-back. Clive was of a similar mind, no Dansak either. Our Hostess had already shown her charm, and so time to negotiate.
Lamb, Herbs, Dry. Two out of three she got. Methi/Fenugreek was not on offer. I challenged her therefore to produce the Finest Dry Lamb Curry they could, with no Coconut and no Capsicum. I was assured that Capsicum appears in nothing they serve. (as should be the case everywhere) Clive was on board with this. A Bombay Aloo would make a suitable Accompaniment. A Tandoori Paratha was listed in the Bread section, good enough for Hector. Clive enquired about Aloo Paratha, this was available. Sorted.
The Ladies went to Kashmir
Marg stuck with Fish, Twelve Days in Sicilia, how much Seafood have we eaten? Fish Kashmiri Korma with a Garlic and Coriander Naan. Maggie had the Lamb equivalent with Pilao Rice to share with Clive.
Starters
Samosas came in pairs, so Clive and Maggie considered one each. Mixed Grill – said Hector. Marg was up for sharing this. We really have eaten very little Meat in the past Twelve Days, and with the kilometres walked everyday, we must be fading away.
Bring out The Food
Two Dips were brought first. This one is Hot – was the given advice as our Hostess pointed to a Soup-like Masala. Lime Pickle made a late appearance also but was never touched. Samosas for all appeared to be the order of the day, then a pair of Aloo Patties were placed in front of Marg. We all had a Samosa. This meant that when the Mixed Grill came out it had to be shared also.
The Samosas were fine, but not as impressive as Gastronomia India’s. The Aloo Pattie had more substance, I would order this again. The Mixed Grill had two Seekh Kebabs, a piece of Tandoori Chicken and three other pieces of Chicken on-the-bone. Excellent value, and more importantly, Tasty. This was quite a feast.
The two Lamb Curry Dishes were approaching Shorva with the Thin Masala that has been ubiquitous throughout Sicilia. Instead of Dry, maybe I should have tried – Thick. The two Kashmiri Kormas had much Thicker Masalas, the Coconut no doubt being responsible.
Clive tore straight in whilst I organised the Ritual Photos. They have got used to me not photographing their dinners for the last week.
The largest platter of Boiled Rice ever seen, topped with Peas was placed on the table. This could have fed the entire street. The Parathas were not. These were Naans by any other description. Marg’s Garlic and Coriander Naan was missing the Coriander. Doughy – was how Marg described her Naan. Having accepted the Bread style I found it to be OK, but in no way a Paratha. Too Thick and too Heavy going perhaps.
Clive had already remarked on the Spice level before Hector was under-way. The Seasoning was perfection. Indeed, in all of the Italian Dishes that have been consumed of late, the Seasoning has been a positive feature. Clive considered his Curry to be – Dry – despite first impressions. However, he had helped himself to a good portion of the Rice and so the Masala had disappeared.
The Lamb was Bradford-small and was not the biggest pever served up. The Ladies remarked that they found the Portion size to be – Perfect – but this was after significant Starters. Without a Starter I would have been disappointed. As I ate on the Spice Level became more apparent. This was a Vindaloo strength Curry. An infusion of Herbs would have made it better, however, this was not a Bad Curry at all.
I shall be enjoying this for a couple of hours to come. – remarked Clive. My taste-buds are bouncing all over the place. I think Clive enjoyed his Curry.
The Bombay Aloo was the very last Dish to arrive. Again well Seasoned and with a Masala very similar to the Lamb Curry Dishes, this was a pleasant accompaniment. Indeed, the Curry Experience felt more complete when the Potatoes were combined with the Lamb.
Meanwhile the Ladies were singing the praises of the inclusion of Roasted Peanuts in their Kashmiri Kormas. Maggie felt that the Lamb and the Masala had not just been introduced on the plate – Meat well infused, the Lamb was Soft enough, but could have been softer. (I report what people say.)
Of the Fish, Marg remarked on the Flaky nature of what she had eaten. She wondered at first if the Fish had been properly cooked but was content with what had been served. A couple of nights before she had eaten virtually raw Tuna. This will never happen again.
The Rice did look like Basmati but had not been properly rinsed. Too Starchy – was Maggie’s verdict. Pudding Rice with Peas. One has become used to Rice being served with individual grains.
The plates were shiny at the end. We had eaten well. All were pleased with what had been consumed. We were not expecting Curry at the UK standard but had all enjoyed food with a – Kick – which is not the Italian norm. Pizza anyone?
The Bill
€65.00. With Birra, Vino and Starters, Excellent value. There was even a discount of €6.70 for reasons that were never established.
The Aftermath
Our Hostess was clearly fascinated by The Calling Card. A good bit after The Bill was paid she came out to talk – Curry. We exchanged ideas on how to store Fresh Coriander. There was an apology for having none in the dishes today. The various Indian Cooking styles were discussed. I outlined my preference for Punjabi cooking. The History of Moon Indian was related. The venue has been here since 1999 though our Hostess had only been working here some six years. Her father, the Chef, had to learn ( Italian – offered Marg) to cook. She was interested to know where the Best Curry is to be found. Bradford was my immediate answer, however, I do my Home City an Injustice here. My favourite Glasgow Curry Houses are possibly the equal of the best of Bradford, it’s the Mainstream which lets Glasgow down.
There had to be a photo. Perhaps I should have sat down?
We passed another Curry Café – Sonar Bangla. Also on Via Maqueda but North of Quatro Canti, this looked a bit more luxurious than the two café venues visited. Next time.
Clive and Maggie went to get a table at the Piazza between our respective accommodation, Marg and Hector fetched the Samosas from Gastronomia India for the early morning flight to Roma.
The next Curry-Heute bulletin will be from Trastevere.