Today Marg satisfied her desire to visit The Kelpies, Scotland’s Newest Major Sculpture. A Falkirk Curry-Heute was considered. A Curryspondent recommended a Falkirk Venue some time back, alas, I could not find the Communication and on studying the Online Information was caught between Three Venues. Help!
Back to Glasgow it was. Nakodar Grill (13 Annfield Pl, Glasgow, G31 2XQ) remains the only known Curry House East of High St. Until recently, a second had popped up, it has reportedly gone. Two Banners proudly proclaimed that Nakodar Grill is Scotland’s Curry House of 2014. Who wins awards? The Level of Expectation was rising.
A word to whoever is responsible for Nakodar’s Website. It doesn’t work on Mobiles, and the a la Carte reveals no more than Starters. Too, Flashy, it doesnae’ work…
Arriving around 19.30, just at the end of the Half Price Mains (Sunday-Thursday), we were shown a Small Table for Two right at the Door. Not the Best Seat. About a Dozen Fellow Diners were in situ, this maintained throughout our visit. In our usual Casual Attire, we felt Overdressed, need to look out a Tracksuit for our next visit. Well, this is The East End.
Poppadoms and Chutney were brought in a Flash. Hopefully there would be no charge for these.
The Menu featured Venison, considered, but Lamb on-the-bone could not be refused. Or could it. Staff Handi – ask for details. I would.
Marg surprised me, and not for the First Time. Butter Chicken was there, but she declared Nakodari Lamb with a Honey and Ginger Nan to accompany, despite the Specific Reference to Red Onions in the Curry. Not another Plate of Onions, please.
The Young Waiter went to check what the Handi was today, it changes Daily. Chicken was mentioned, enough already. No thanks. Lahori Style Lamb it would be, with an Aloo Paratha to Accompany. There was verification that no Capsicum would appear in either Dish.
On autopilot I enquired about Lamb Chops. They were available. One Portion to share please.
The Full Robin
With hindsight, I wonder why all Fellow Diners had yet to receive their Curry given the Special Offer by turning up earlier. We would have to wait until Everyone Else had been served. The Chops took Twenty Five Minutes to arrive. A Portion of Three for £5.95. The Chops were Excellent, Four would have been Perfect, to share. Tender, the Softest Lamb Chops I have encountered, yet cooked-through, with sufficient Burny-Bits. Cumin Seeds too, Very Tasty.
The Wait continued. The Takeaway Business was Brisk, slowing up the production of Curry to those in-house. After a Half Hour we had heard enough of One Particular Chap from the North American Continent who was intent that Everyone in the Restaurant could hear his Business, wearing.
By 20.20, the Chap who was evidently Mein Host assured us that The Mains would be soon. It was after 20.30 by the time the Curry arrived. On First Glimpse, all was forgiven. This was Curry!
The Lahori Style Lamb (on-the-bone) featured Chana Daal. Chickpeas are not my Favourite Ingredient, but this worked well. This was a Dry Curry, the Driest Curry Hector has been served in a long time. The Masala was Truly Thick, the Fork stood on its own no problem. The Spice Level and Seasoning were well within Acceptable Parameters. The Chickpeas added to the Texture, Sufficiently Soft, not Mush, a change from The Hector Norm. The Overall Flavour was Earthy, if Hector can boast, well why not, whose Blog is it? This is Curry as I have produced on occasion and been very proud of. Marg concurred. Not Perfect, however. The Tender Lamb had not seen a Bone for some time. This was not Lamb on-the-bone. One can speculate as to what Flavours might have been achieved if this had been so.
The Aloo Paratha was Quartered, again, why? Slightly Overdone, this did the job. Pleasant, but not Outstanding. Hector looks for Flaky Paratha, this was too Soft.
The Nakodari Lamb was also Dry. Marg was of the opinion that she had more Lamb in her Curry. The Masala was Gritty and Thick with the quoted Red Onions no doubt. For Once, Marg had a Curry without Big Blobs of Onion, this was how Curry should be. Permitted a Sample, the Overall Flavour was not as Intense as the Lahori, this Dish was decidedly different.
A Good Texture – said Marg – Plenty Meat, a Good Kick. I liked the Contrast with the Honey and Ginger. The Honey and Ginger Naan was an Instant Hit. This looked far more Satisfying than the Paratha, I could be tempted, next time.
On clearing the table, I informed the Young Waiter that the Lamb had no Bones. He said he would investigate, but never returned.
Coffee
Marg received a Large White Coffee prepared exactly how she likes it.
Hot, Lovely, Frothy Coffee.
The Bill
£33.20. We realised immediately that the Coffee was not included. This was pointed out and we sorted out Change to cover this omission. The Chops were on the Pricey end of the Lamb Chops Spectrum, Good Value otherwise. The Poppadoms and Chutney were Complimentary as anticipated. Thank you.
The Aftermath
We waited for Mein Host to become free.
I congratulated him on the Dryness of the Curry. He apologised for The Wait, Two Staff down this evening. It was suggested I try the Tawa Sizzler, however, Chicken was mentioned. Chicken and Capsicum are the Two Ingredients I try to avoid. Methi is my Weakness. It was revealed they would have added extra Fresh Methi had I asked. An off-the-wall benefit of Methi was also related to Hector, not that I shall ever be giving birth.
I had to ask if this really was the only Sit-in Curry House in the Eat End. Baillieston was mentioned and Bishopbriggs. The Delhi Darbar we have visited. Baillieston is off the radar.
The Family who own Nakodar Grill are from this part of Glasgow and so saw the sense in locating here. They are doing well. Hector will be back.
Oops!
Nearby lies Drygate, the new Glasgow Micro-Brewery, a Collaboration with Williams Bros. and Tennents. We went to investigate. On paying for the Drinks I realised I had maybe had too much Cash.
We drove back to check. Mein Host was happy.
I said I would be back.