The First of Five Thursdays in Winter when it’s better to stay in Helensburgh for Curry than drive hither and thither. The Akash (45 Sinclair St, Helensburgh, G84 8TG) remains the Recommended Helensburgh Curry Venue. Ashgar, Mein Host, was texted two days ago – Something Special in Lamb – was the request.
Arriving just after the 17.00 opening time, Hector was to be the First and Only Diner for a considerable period, Takeaways were sold however.
Thursday (& Wednesday) is order-all-you-want-for £15.00, a Great Value Deal. A Starter was mandatory, the Shami Kebab has impressed previously, Irfan even suggested it when he brought the Menu. An Aloo Paratha would accompany The Main – neither of us knew what it would be. Ashgar came across to the Dias and stated that he knows I like Spinach, would I like Potat
oes too? Potatoes are always welcome, and for the record, Hector prefers Methi to Spinach.
Two Large Shami Kebabs with a Minimal Salad and Dip were brought relatively quickly. The Kebabs were Fresh, Spicy and Hot! A Treat. The Meat Content was Light in Colour, but this did not feel like Chicken. Ashgar would later confirm that it may have been Lamb and Chicken. Why go to a Burger Shop when Spicy Burgers such as these are available?
We agreed a Strategic Wait, Irfan asked if I had had a Big Lunch. Just trying to let the food go down. Ashgar asked confirmation that The Main could be presented, here we go.
The Lamb was a mix of on-the-bone and off, the Lamb was Plentiful. A Thick Giggot Chop may have formed the Core. Oil was visible around the edges of the Karahi. Potatoes were also in Quantity. There was Oil around the edges of the Karahi. The Masala was Herb-rich, Spinach, and significantly different from the bog standard Masala served in the Mainstream Curry House. This was an attempt at the contemporary. Oil was collecting around the edges of the Karahi.
Have I mentioned – The Oil? I believe this was Excessive and should have been dabbed off. Still, as Regular Readers know, here can lie extreme pleasure. The Oil was Potent, Mustard Oil? More Seasoning was my second negative observation, however this turned out not to be a problem.
The Aloo Paratha was Large and well-stuffed with pieces of Potato. Stuffed Parathas cannot be as Flaky as their Plain counterparts, this was – The Best of Both Worlds. The Edges were Sublime, how could I eat all this? No chance. The Seasoning in the Paratha was Perfect, so when scooping the Masala there was no longer an Under-seasoned Curry set before The Hector. The Combination of Paratha and Karahi was exactly what I required.
There’s More
Another Karahi, partly filled, accompanied the Main. This is your Something Special – stated Ashgar.
Here lay a Spinach based Masala, with Garlic very evident. At first I couldn’t identify what else was in it apart from the Spinach and Garlic. Mustard Leaves? Ashgar would confirm this later when he saw I had left more than half. As I removed the odd spoonful, Oil formed at the edge of the Karahi. I feel I may have written this before.
Coffee
With plenty of time before the Victoria Halls, I ordered a White Coffee. What came was Astounding. Marg would have loved this, Very Hot and Milky.
The Bill
£16.50. The Coffee was on-the-house. I only had to pay more than the Flat Fee for the Sparkling Water.
The Aftermath
A Familiar Face entered, followed by another. Two Ladies, one features sporadically on this Humble Website. Next month, Ladies?