There was a Spintaneous call for Ale at The Sir Howard Young (sic). How we stayed so long is unfathomable such was the dreadful array of Ale on offer. The call for Curry-Heute was less than Spontaneous, it was written. The Akash (45 Sinclair St, Helensburgh, G84 8TG) remains the – Helensburgh Venue of Choice.
Jamie had a plan to maximise the welcome, he would enter first with Hector following on. Steve disappeared, to his usual place and was welcomed eventually. We had a new Curryateer this evening, Jamie #2.
Complimentary Poppadoms and Dips were provided with minimal fuss. Whose place setting would be clean at the end of the session and who made this mess?
Ashgar and Irfan as ever were determined to make the visit as memorable as possible. The Menu was waived by Jamie #2 and Steve who followed the Hector Lead – Bring us the Best Lamb Curry you can. Only Dried Methi was available.
Jamie ordered the Balti Exotica which featured Lamb, Prawn & Chicken. Two out of Three ain’t bad.
Some ordered Yellow Fizz, Hector stuck to the Sparkling Water.
Chapattis, a Naan, and an Aloo Paratha would accompany. Hector failed to notice that Jamie had sneaked in a Keema Paratha. Who ordered Rice with Nuts?
We were promised an extra Dish – Something Special. Jamie informed Jamie #2 this was the advantage of – Dining with Hector. Looking the Gift Horse in the Mouth, Hector ensured that Chicken and the Dreaded Vegetable would not feature. All was well. Jamie appears to have come on board with – Lamb, despite his lapse this evening.
On arrival, the Akash was empty, though the Takeaway Trade was at its customary level. Familiar Faces collected or transported Curry. Another Couple did sit on the raised Dias and departed towards the end of our lengthy visit. A quiet Friday.
The Balti Exotica looked similar, really, to the Three Other Dishes presented. Jamie sung the praises of the Lamb. The Unnamed Curry was somewhat Mainstream.
The Lamb was Tender, the Dish required more Seasoning and there was way more Masala than I presently feel comfortable with. The Methi was understated. Still, it was Curry, so what’s not to like?
The Aloo Paratha was better than anything that has come Hector’s way of late. I still hanker over more Flakiness. This was Very Good. It was only towards the end of the session that Hector spotted the significance of the other Paratha on the table. A Keema Paratha, whose interior revealed Discrete Mince Pieces, not the slab of Donner-like Meat that too many present. This will have to be explored further, next visit.
Jamie #2 has only recently returned to Blighty and so was approaching raptures about this Unnamed Curry. He remarked on the Quality of the Lamb, the Depth of Flavour and that whilst Spiced, the Dish was not OTT. Hector suspects that Jamie #2 may appear in more Curry-Heute Blogs.
For once, Hector was not recording quotes. The Camera is still in Hospital and the Battery in the increasingly less than Trusty Samsung is draining fast of late, inbuilt obsolescence? The Trusty Samsung was therefore used to record the Photos. Somewhere in the Photo-Frenzy, Steve was overlooked.
The Something Special arrived, Lamb Chops with Potato. This was shared. The Kick was there, the Seasoning was spot-on, the Masala was Minimal and Thicker. A Curry fit for The Hector! This was looking like another Hector Special at the Akash, however, Jamie had another plan, two in one night. Ashgar agreed to consider the title: Jamie Lamb Chop Special Aloo.
I had to ask – Why didn’t you bring us Three Portions of this? Twenty Four Hours notice is required to order this Dish. One assumes this is all they had. Whose Dinner was it?
More Yellow Fizz, for some.
The Bill
£61.80. Four People: Five Portions of Curry, Numerous Breads, Lager too.
The Aftermath
Ashgar showed Hector an Advert which they place periodically in a Local Publication. The number of offers available is now extensive. Friday and Saturday are the only days when the a la Carte Prices apply, for the rest of the week one can dine a la carte but enjoy significant savings. Look how little we were charged this evening. As always, any Curry Dish one can describe, the Akash will prepare with Twenty Four Hours notice.
Curry Competition in Helensburgh is tough, and it is soon to become tougher.
Lamb on-the-bone was arranged for Thursday prior to an evening work commitment. The New Season at the Akash is under-way. Lamb Methi Achari Madras on-the-bone, aka – Hector Special #2 – next time?