As our Trip, yesterday, to Websters (Duisburg) reached a conclusion we decided to return today. This was the inspiration for Hector to discover if there is a Duisburg Curry House. Punjabi Pfanne (Oststraße 137a, 47057 Duisburg , NRW, Deutschland) was the only one. A Punjabi Curry House!
Today is Day 7 of Hector Bounces Back, our Tour of Places (Curry&) Bier in Nordrhein Westfalen. Hector was accompanied today by Steve and Kenny. Steve retains The Accolade for discovering the Recommended Indian Mango in München.
A Few blocks from the Hauptbahnhof, Punjabi Pfanne is located in the Pedestrian Precinct that is this part of Ostrstrasse. Entering just after 12.30, the place was Stowed. All the Pavement Tables were occupied, Two small Tables for Three were all that remained inside. For once, Hector chose to sit at the window.
Expectation levels were tentatively high. A Source of Punjabi Food and a Full Café-Restaurant. As I spotted the Half Plate of Rice, Half Curry, I deduced that people were here for the Lunchtime Menu at €5.00. This included a Soft Drink, potentially Great Value. The Menu featured – Punjabi Breakfast – hence the 10.00 opening time.
Kenny chose Chicken Palak from the Lunchtime Menu. Sorted. Hector spotted Chicken Karahi on the Main Menu, but no Lamb equivalent. I would ask Mein Host.
I know you speak English, I spoke to you yesterday on the phone.
He confirmed my statement and remembered the call. Lamb Karahi was possible.
Scharf mit Minimal Sosse, Trocken und ohne Capsicum.
Mein Host smiled. Hector has a Bit of Deutsch.
Steve decided to have The Same. This created a problem, there was possibly only enough Lamb for One. This was verified and so Steve accepted Chicken Karahi.
The Room was dominated by a Large Table at which an American/German Group had been sitting. When they left the place emptied. Soon there was only One Diner in the room with us. Meanwhile outside, the Tables remained occupied. Business was good.
Duisburg Curry-Heute
Kenny’s Chicken Palak was as we now expected. A Decent Plateful, albeit Half Rice. The Spinach Based Masala had a Creaminess favoured in Deutschland. This was OK.
When the – Karahi – were presented it was a case of – wtf?
There was a Generous Portion of Lamb, again with Half a Plate of Rice. The Dish was Peely Wally in Appearance. The Masala was indeed Minimal, but in fact – was there one? The Sauce was Tomato based and Watery. There was a Kick, ho
wever there was Minimal Flavour. Well Under-seasoned, Steve added Salt to his Chicken Karahi. For Hector this is – Verboten. Hector eats Curry as it comes, well almost.
Mein Host brought a Small Dish of Chilli Mash just in case we needed more Spice. This Curry definitely needed Something. A Complete Overhaul. The Masala was not Onion-based. Only The Chef knows what the Spice and Herb (if any) content was. This Curry was Totally Lacking.
Both Steve and Kenny described their Chicken as – Overcooked. Had The Management bothered sourcing Halal? Steve and Hector had been given a Side Salad, Kenny’s was on the Plate already. We were left with Piles of Capsicum.
The only Positive statement was given by Kenny – The Rice wasn’t sticky.
Once again I challenged Kenny to visit Swarg in Bamberg next week. Only he can make an up to date Comparison. Is Swarg worse than this?
We ate, we finished The Curry.
It was Curry, Jim, but not as We know it.
When these premises enjoys being the only Curry Venue in Duisburg, they have Guaranteed Business but surely must have a Conscience? They cannot pass this Fayre as Curry. It is shockingly Poor. Yet the Venue was Stowed, the €5.00 Lunchtime Menu is a Hit. Hector would hate to think The Locals actually think this is Curry. Hector would would truly have problems with The Restaurateur if he thought that what was being served was an Honourable Representation of the Dish I hold so dear – Karahi.
The Bill
We paid separately as appears to be The Custom here.
Kenny €5.00.
Steve €11.40.
Hector €13.40.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was given and the Website shown, without my Usual Enthusiasm.
We found a shorter way back to the Station. Steve remarked – You’ll know this Short-cut next time.
Aye Right!