Hector has been visiting Carnoustie since 1999 in the company of Marg. Initially this was to visit Mags, more recently Mags and Dr. Alasdair. It was their suggestion that we visit Ganges (11 Park Ave, Carnoustie, Angus, DD7 7JA).
Better known for Golf, Hector and Marg were first here together the year Paul Lawrie, a Scot, won The Open. This victory was gifted by his opponent Jean van de Velde who attempted to play out of The Barry Burn and blew a Three Shot Lead.
As we walked down to the Ganges, Hector and Dr. Alasdair reminisced about visits to Andechs, not just The Bier, but the Smelliest of Cheese.
On what one might expect to be a quiet Tuesday, there was quite a Group waiting in the Vestibule for Takeaways. There were more Diners inside. Our Table for Four awaited.
Having studied the Online Menu during the drive North, a Couple of Dishes had sparked an Interest. The Village Curry – Homestyle flavour. This dish is specially prepared in a thick bhuna sauce with mixed vegetables and green chillies. Originates in the village of the Punjab – sounded like a Hector Curry. A Desi by any other description. Mags then informed me that it was Vegetables only. Village Curry and Lamb Chops? Excessive..
Having had Minimal Methi throughout July, the Methi Gosht could not be resisted. The others were discussing Poppadoms and Pakora. Hector wished his Traditional Vegetable Side. The Aloo Gobi had the Offending Vegetable listed, negotiations to follow. With Potatoes in the Side, no need for an Aloo Paratha, Plain would do. The Menu stated – Stuffed Paratha – but gave no clue as to – The Stuffing. Mags would show the way. She had declared Vegetable Thali early in the proceedings. Marg went for Tikka Lamb with the Patan Gost. Meanwhile Dr. Alasdair was keeping his powder dry. He would make his choice as the Waiter took the Order.
Various Breads were ordered, hard to keep track of. Marg opted for a Garlic Chapatti, Dr. Alasdair a Peshwari Naan. When Mags asked for a Garlic Paratha this was Hector’s cue to ask for a Methi Paratha. I also verified that the Methi Gosht would have no Capsicum and asked for them to be withheld in the Aloo Gobi. No problem.
Chicken Rogan Josh – completed The Mains – This medium hot dish is based on a mixture of capsicum, garlic, ginger, cumin and pasted with tomato, paprika and yogurt.
A Pakora to share was mooted. How many Poppadoms? Four was agreed upon, Hector was having nothing to do with these Distractions.
The Last Time we dined was almost together, at The Houses of Parliament, a long table… There was no Curry, hence tonight. Some think we had Beef that night, still too Pink for Hector to have entertained this. I am happier to interpret the Meat as Ham.
A Portion of Pakora arrived on a Posh Plate with Three Minimal Dips and Decorative Salad. Five Pieces of Pakora? Yes, this means One does not Overload on Starters. Maybe the Waiter should have given better advice about sharing? Mags’ Thali would include another Portion of Pakora, so Marg did all right out of the First. Good Pakora – said Marg justifying her swoop for the Last Piece.
I was informed that prior to becoming a Curry House, this Venue was the Foremost Restaurant in Carnoustie. With an Informal Atmosphere, and Good Humour from The Waiters, one deduced that Business here is currently a Success.
The Complexity of The Thali saw it arrive in Stages. Plates of Okra, Chickpeas, Mushroom, Boiled Rice and the aforementioned Pakora, served identical to its Predecessor. All the Dishes were Dry or had Minimal Masala. With Lamb Chops to Accompany this would have been… enough already. Hector is having Lamb Chops Withdrawal.
Marg appeared content with her choice. The Patan Gost was not Soup. The Garlic Chapatti was served Quartered in a Basket. Despite this, the Size was visibly Substantial. The Large Garlic Paratha looked just the job and was served Flat and Whole. Served Similarity, The Peshwari Naan was smaller but looked Properly Cooked. Hector’s Methi Paratha was also Quartered and served in a Basket. To save space – said The Waiter, who went on to ask why I was Photographing Everything.
I’ll tell you at the end.
Dr. Alasdair’s Chicken Rogan Josh looked decidedly – Red. We had previously discussed the Origins of this Dish. Rogan is – Red – in whatever Sub-Continental Tongue is appropriate. That Cream is used in some Restaurants was also mentioned. Tomatoes is what One Expects. There was no sign of the quoted Yoghurt.
Methi Gosht
The Methi Gosht looked both Fierce and Enormous. With Strips of Meat I wondered if it was indeed Lamb and not Beef which lends itself to being cut in this manner. The Menu clearly said – Lamb. The Aloo Gobi had lost the listed Tomatoes, maybe they had all been used for the Rogan Josh? Fried Onions had taken the place of both Listed Vegetables, no bad thing.
The Methi Paratha was Limp, too Greasy, and did not show the desired Flakiness. Still, there was Methi and it would be devoured regardless. Dipped into the Rich Masala the Intensity of Flavour matched the Ferocity of the Appearance. Such was the Volume of Food set before The Hector, a Tradition was abandoned, – The Others – were allowed a Sample. Cinnamon – stated Mags. Most certainly. This Dominant Spice with the Methi gave a Powerful Overall Flavour, yet despite the anticipated Bitterness of the Methi, there was an underlying Sweetness. From where, Hector could not establish. The Kick was subtle, the Seasoning also, perhaps adding to Mystery of this Dish. The Tender Lamb would last forever, especially when the Cauliflower and Potatoes were attended to. The Aloo Gobi was as Dry as Hector could ask. The Fried Onions also gave a New Dimension. There was Cumin, somewhere. The Greasiness of the Paratha was soon forgiven. How to get to The End….
Die Wahl der anderen
Patan Gost
Marg had insisted I sample a Piece of Lamb, just what Hector needed. The difference in Flavour from the Methi Gosht was marked, and again quite Powerful. How many Venues would have served up Three Meat Dishes with virtually the same Masala? Marg opened her review by restating – The Crispiness of the Pakora. Her Chapatti was – Excellent, bigger than expected. Marg was – Surprised at the Tastiness – of her Main. She remarked on the Dryness – due to the Chickpeas. These I hadn’t spotted.
Vegetable Thali
I loved the Thali – Mags was now on a roll – particularly the Okra. The Chickpeas were delightfully Creamy, a Perfect Portion for me. The Veg were not over-cooked. I particularly enjoyed the Onion Chutney and Garlic Dip that went with the Pakora.
Chicken Rogan Josh
Dr. Alasdair realised he had been the least adventurous when ordering. However, as his local he must know The Menu well. The only person to order Chicken.
It wasn’t a Classic, a Dish of Three Parts: Chicken, Curry Paste and Tomato Topping. The Chicken was cooked well and was full of Flavour. The Blend of Sauces was Wonderful.
I conclude that we were Four Contented Diners.
The Bill
£84.95. £11.90 of this was for Soft Drinks, mostly Water in Various Guises. I could not see any charge for the Poppadoms and accompanying Dips, as should be.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was offered and the Website shown on the Almost Flat Samsung.
Curry-H? – said The Waiter. Curry-hoy-teh – explained Marg.
There was no problem with this last week in Deutschland.
The Waiter had an apparent obsession with everything Apple. He wasn’t on commission, but should have been.
Hector has given Apple – £Thousands – no more.