The order for today’s visit to Yadgar (148 Calder St., Govanhill, Glasgow, G42 7QP) was sent by text on Friday morning at Katowice Station. It was acknowledged within minutes. Such service.
Hector has realised that although the usual intake of Curry may not have subsided, the number of Blogs on Glasgow Curry certainly has. In the last month there has been only one other Glasgow Curry before this weekend. Certainly time to return to my favourite places.
On entering at 14.40 I observed a Group of Five who appeared to have recently arrived and were awaiting service. Behind them three tables had been placed together, a Group of Nine had just departed. I took the Staff Table, busy for a Sunday afternoon. More would arrive, I recognised some of the faces in the room dining alongside me. Regulars.
The Chap, a Yadgar Stalwart and Mein Host for the day, whose name remains unknown to Hector had acknowledged me on my arrival, came out quickly with a Salad that would be Fit for Four and some Dips. Poppadoms and Chutneys then arrived, the table was covered, distractions whilst the final preparations to the Goshat Karahi on-the-bone were made. The Quiet Chef, I believe him to be a Chef, shook my hand in welcome, a first.
Mein Host verified One Chapatti and no Pakora. Chef Arshad came out to say hello and also shook the hand of Hector. I told him briefly about my sourcing of Quality Curry in Poland. I assured him the Curry was in no way as good as that served at Yadgar. Our discussions always end with me praising his undoubted skills. Mr. Arshad announced my Curry was ready. I’ll stop eating this lot then.
Whilst I alternated between Fresh Onion and Spiced Onion, Olives and Tomatoes, the Group of Five were served their order. This too must have been placed in advance. Two Large Karahi piled high with Meat were served along with a Mass of Sundries. Never has so much Food been served to so Few. They’ll never manage that lot, I thought to myself.
The Chapatti arrived first and was placed on my right. A Large Karahi was sneaked in from my left. I had made no specific request as to volume. Officially, Half-Kilos are not on the Menu, this was a Half-Kilo, and some. Mein Host then placed a Small Dish of the Magnificent Yadgar Vegetable Curry beside me also. This Delight is not always available, it defies belief. I had to start with the Vegetable Curry. I still think it’s the Carrots. How Potatoes, Peas and Carrots can be made to taste like this I know not.
Normally one does a quick scan of the Meat Content, not today, no point. The Ratio of Bone to Meat? Don’t care. What was before set before the Hector was all for The Hector. Never has so much Food… The Meat was too Hot to touch. I started the Karahi with Chapatti dipped into the Venerable Masala. Thick with Coriander and Methi, this was once again exactly how Hector enjoys his Curry. The Bones were approachable, shrouded in Chapatti, mmmmm. The Meat fell off the Bone with great ease. Just how perfectly can Lamb be cooked?
Whatever the Yadgar Secret is, the Lamb tastes like nowhere else, the Masala has an edge that no other Curry house comes close to. So Rich, one knows that this is a Treat to Savour, one could not eat this every day, too Rich.
The New Waiter checked on me from time to time to see if I required anything more. What more could they give me? Six Diners in all were now tearing in to Yadgar Karahi. I had all this to myself. I tend to do very well when I arrive as a Lone Diner.
Back to the Vegetable Curry, still holding its own against the Lamb, sheer joy. The Bones were piling up, I still had some way to go. Normally one wonders how much Bone, how much Meat? Each new Bone was welcomed, not all the Lamb was on -the-bone. Bone gave respite to the Sheer Mass. The Chapatti alternated with scooping up the Wonderfully Flavoursome Masala at the base of the Karahi where minimal Oil was collecting.
How was your Karahi Methi? Asked Mr Arshad as I reached the End Game. Wonderful. It was interesting to hear how the Chef distinguishes this Goshat Karahi Variant from what is normally served.
With the Lamb eaten, there was a layer of Masala on the Base of the Karahi and Minimal Vegetable Curry. Time to raise the White Flag. I was offered a Doggy-bag, there wasn’t enough left to justify this. As I passed the Group of Five, I could not help note the quantity of Curry left in each Karahi. They had over-ordered on Rice et al. Their Doggy-bag would have been substantial.
The Bill
I wouldn’t even tell my priest what discount I got off Boeing. – Michael O’Leary
Was there a Bill? I offered Mein Host £20.00, he returned much more than is the Norm even at Yadgar Prices. Yes, I do my best to publicise the Best of Curry houses, also BHHIP.
The Aftermath
Time to find The BBC.
Time to express my Humility and Gratitude to this very fine Eatery.