Hector missed the last Newcastle Trip by The Company, so it really is three years and two weeks since the last visit to see The Lads.
Ale was the primary motivation, as ever Curry-Heute has to be reported. Research revealed a Punjabi Curry House. Simples, Google – Punjabi Curry House.
Mags was in Expert-Traveller Mode, not only did she appear to know every Hostelry in Newcastle, Mags was able to show The Hector the direction of the chosen Punjabi Curry Outlet, Sachins (Forth Banks, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 3SG ).
The last visit to Newcastle was a scramble for Curry. Venues were not open early, Buffet and Soup were the Disappointment.
Hector’s Research
Sachins presents as a Punjabi Restaurant, what more could The Hector need? Alighting from the train on schedule at 11.40, there was a Curry-Vacuum. Mags pointed me in the direction of Sachins. They were not open-yet. A phone-call. 12.15.
Coffee and Wi-Fi saw the successful posting of the Sublime Yadgar Experience, yesterday! Of course the Curry-Heute Blogs are dated for the day consumed, not written. It is written, timeously.
Arriving at 12.20, Mein Host must have semi-expected (a new word?) a Punter. Moi.
I chose my own table for two amongst The Many. A large venue, however, this table was in – Mr. Axelrod’s Angel – mode in terms of proximity to the others. To be here at peak times must be horrendous. Hector was The Lone Diner. Was there a Chef in the building?
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Hector’s Choice
I was here to sample Punjabi Cuisine.
At the start of The Menu was a list suggesting Spice. Is this not all Curry? I cut to the chase – Lamb Dishes.
Gone but not Forgotten
When The Village revamped The Menu after The Grand Re-Opening, the Laal Lahori was lost. Attempts to reinvent this Acceptably Wet Dish were lost. I saw Lal, I also spotted Lamb on-the-bone – Nali Nihari. Back to the Lal Goshat. The description sounded – Fine – a very tr
aditional punjabi hot dish with diced lamb marinated in yoghurt, red chillies and spices, cooked on a very slow heat. The dilemma as always is to accept what comes or order – Off-Menu? The Hector Aggressive Order usually comes when there is nothing on The Menu. My second Newcastle Curry – The Menu. Lal Goshat (£9,95) it was, with a Tandoori Roti. At £1.80, One should suffice. No Capsicum please. The Waiter went to a new page to record this.
A bottle of Sparkling Water was the moisture for-the-moment. What a novelty. A large bottle was presented, 0.75l was the best bet. Nowhere on The Menu was there a guide to the price of drinks. The Sparkling Water was – Delicious. Let’s celebrate how wonderful and copious the Sparkling Water was before the anticipated rip-off.
Lal Goshat
What came was Lamb in Soup.
The Meat count initially felt minimal, For a Tenner? Time would reveal seven Decent sized pieces of Tender Lamb. Do Chefs really grab a serving and dismiss the excess towards seven? The Lamb proved Tender and adequate.
The Masala was ridiculous. Had this been advertised as Shorba then another Dish would have been chosen. This was the Classic – Not a Hector Curry. Still, it’s Curry, so let’s enjoy.
The Roti was impressively Large. One was a good call. Actually, this decision was based more on the Yadgar consumption last evening. The Roti was Fresh and tended towards Crispiness, slowly. This was a Roti well above – The norm.
The Seasoning in the Masala was as good as it gets. The Spice Level was at pate standards. Sadly, the Masala was – Soup. Far too Thin. The First Flavour-Blast was South-Indian. The much respected Red Chillies were to the fore. In what way was this a Punjabi Curry?
Does Hector not enjoy the Smokiness and Kick of the South Indian Red Chillies? A Vegetable Rice would ave been a better accompaniment. The Waiter had asked if I wished my Dish to be – Spicy. Soup was never discussed.
Yes, there was Disappointment. Then there was the admission – Hector should have chosen better, Lamb on-the-bone perhaps. The Roti was used to mop up the Masala, the spoon to consume the Lamb.
Mein Host approached the raised room where Hector resided.
How is it?
It tastes more South Indian than Punjabi, with the Red Chillies.
I knew this already. Why was I being served Kerala and not Karela?
This was Curry, a Spicy Curry. Hector enjoys Curry and so cannot say there was no pleasure. Better Curry was surely on offer. The Nali Nihari – lamb served on the bone in a smooth onion nihari sauce with fresh whole spices a classic dish from hyderaba – would have possibly been more suitable. Invite me back and prove it, please.
The Bill
£13.25. Only 11p more than £13.14. The Sparkling Water came in a huge volume. In Aberdeen it would have been half the cost of a Main Course. Respect to Mein Host for this Bill.
The Aftermath
Hector is certain that Sachins provide Punjabi Cuisine. That I ended up with a South Indian Dish is irony at its extreme. Now to find The Company…