August 30 was our last visit to Lasani Grill (223-225 Allison street, Glasgow, G42 8RU), tempes fugit! When I phoned in the order for 3kg of White Karahi midweek, Saeed took the call – Khalid and and I mentioned you the other day – Where is Hector? Curry-Heute has covered many kilometres and many Curry Houses in the past two months, this weekend was the first that our collective – The Company – were quorate in Glasgow.
The normal 15.00 rendezvous was preceded by an ad hoc assembly at the Allison Arms. There was a choice of Deutsche Bier, just. No Oktoberfestbier? Have Our Friends drunk it all? Kenny joined Hector, Dr. Stan and Mags straight from a conference. He had foregone the after-party for Curry, sensible man.
Steve was waiting for us, Stewart arrived after we took our seats. A Pile of Poppadoms and Two Trays of Spiced Onion were produced in a flash. Kenny was already anticipating the Pleasure of the Spiced Onions. Was he here for the Curry? More Onions were required, more Poppadoms came too. Chaps, we had just put £12.00 on The Bill, a point worth considering for the future!
A Modest Salad and Dips announced the arrival of the White Karahi, a Curry cooked without anything Red, no Paprika, Chilli Powder, Cayenne, and definitely No Food Dye.
Two Karahi were presented, One Large, One Small. This was 3kg? We had all starved ourselves today so the appetites were Voracious. We have all shared a Kilo or two and know the End Game can be a struggle, especially when Starters have preceded. Poppadoms are not filling.
We ate heartily, for once we could have done with heaps more. We had each ordered a single Chapatti, we were not Breaded-out, perhaps this also was at the root of – is this all?
The Masala was Darker than that served previously, the Mash that is unique to this style of Curry was up to the usual standard, Thick without an Excess of Oil. The Seasoning was Perfection, the Spice Level was Sufficient, slices of Large Fresh Green Chillies added another dimension. The Flavours from this Dish are totally different from Karahi served in my most frequented Curry Houses.
On-the-bone, some were – Sucky – some not. The Bone content was not excessive, there was a Sufficiency of Meat, it was eked out. Beautifully Tender and Slow Cooked, this style of Karahi remains remarkable, a Joy to eat.
Can I get you anything else? – asked Saeed as we devoured what little was left. More Curry – was the reply. Not to be.
Kahlid wanted to take our Photo, and so he produced his device and also had his first experience of Hector’s new camera.
The Verdict
Kenny – As every Duisburg Curry Aficionado knows: Zehr trocken, Sos Minimal, Fantastich.
Steve – Not outstanding, Pleasant, not The Best I’ve ever had. For £15.00, not the best value.
Steve and Hector are just back from Bradford where we shared three Curry-Heute Experiences. We had eaten the Best of Curry at Bradford Prices, this is the Reality.
Dr. Stan – Mmmmm. A High Rating on the Mmm-ometer.
Stewart – Just a Curry I really enjoyed.
Mags – I really enjoyed it, especially the Kulfi Surprise.
Kulfi and Gulab Jaman
Saaed announced he had a Surprise for us. We have been treated to an Array of Complimentary Desserts in our visits. The Gulab Jaman we have had before, today this was accompanied by Pistachio Kulfi. Very Tasty, and Appreciated.
The Bill
£84.30. £22.00 a Kilo. Dare we ask for more Curry next visit?
The Aftermath
We were introduced to the new Chef, Mr. Saleem. Did this explain the Slightly Darker Masala?
As we walked back along Allison St, Hector stopped off at a Rival Curry House. Next Saturday.
Ah, the Karahi Palace…..I had been a regular until the Chicken and Spinach dish became too salty and then tried speaking politely to the Chef, Mr Rashid.
Unfortunately, the Chef kept putting too much salt in the dish and so I stopped going as regular.
I have popped in from time to time but avoid the meat dishes because of the above, hopefully all is now good with the dishes as I enjoyed the friendliness of the staff and the pleasant surroundings.
Bye
Hector replies:
(Just to clarify – the above Blog is on the Lasani Grill)
… and I love the Karahi Palace because Chef Rashid is happy to up the seasoning as standard.
If you describe exactly what you desire, Rashid will cook it.
Thanks for the heads up.
The new Afghan-Persian Restaurant Sufi is open, here we go…
i would just like to say what a braw website this is – very refreshing to learn of people who really appreciate and understand ‘real’ curries instead of the bastardised , neon, cube plastic chicken, tomato ketchup , UHT cream , nonsense which often passes in glasgow- even in the so-called ‘award-winning’ mainstream restaurants.
i can safely say that Lasani is the best desi curry joint in Glasgow, particularly since the closure of VIP , and karahi palace going to the dogs somewhat. Got the edge on Yadgar for depth and complexity of flavour.
Lasani’s Chicken Achari is something of beauty. the green daal is sublime, and at £3.50 for a meat curry with 2x chapatis- you really cannae get any better! a tad hot though so not for the faint hearted! i’m talking here of course about the desi selection . i note they also do the legendary ‘bateray’ (quails) though this might be a pre-order………
Hector replies:
Welcome to Curry-Heute, Stuart.
The Sheerin Palace also do do a mean Quail!
I wonder what the Karahi Palace has done to you… I am semi-resident there. Go and try the Lamb Karahi – Hector-style or Karela Lamb…
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the lease on the Lasani Grill is up for sale, enjoy whilst you can or visit Waris at the Desi Curry Palace.
Yadgar’s Lamb Chops Achari is my favourite in that style.
read your remarks and me and a few friends decided to try Lasani grill ordered starters which was chicken pakoras salad and white chicken Karahi main meal we were all very hungry after a long day at work this was when the main chef was there the food was fab I’ve tried other places the starters was very nice chicken diced into little cubes and made into chicken pakoras then came the chicken White Karahi and some naan bread wow we were just loving it it was well presented the taste of white chicken Karahi wow it was so lovely it was not dark but actually white just a great taste we wanted to see the chef who made this amazing dish he came out his name was waris he was very nice and friendly he stood talking to us for about 10minutes then the other guy bought some ghulab Jamans then it was time up we had to leave so a few weeks ago we went again we ordered the same as before omg the pakoras were long and slim like match sticks we all looked at each other ok then came along the dark Karahi instead of the white we started to eat with the naans ok it was raw there was no taste there was lots of tiny little bones getting in our teeth as we finished didn’t even get half way through we called the main chef who was a tall guy we complained about the food about the white Karahi and the pakoras but he didn’t seem to bother he was not polite at all as to the previous chef waris the bill was a lot higher to the previous we asked where was chef waris and they said he’s on holiday a few weeks later we were walking down Allison street and one of my work mates spotted waris walking into a shop in Allison street and he followed he spoke to waris and chef waris said he left Lasani grill along time ago what an experience never again we will go to Lasani grill what a bad experience I just wanted to share this as you people are curry kings thank you for reading this xx
Hi Shazia, welcome to Curry-Heute.
A disappointing Curry is always, well, disappointing. One always hopes that the dish presented will be the best ever, not to be in your case. Perhaps if you had ordered Lamb you would have fared better. Had you phoned in the White Karahi order in advance? – which is their norm.
If you read my other Blog entries – Desi Curry Palace, you will find that I discovered Waris by chance along Allison St some months ago. We had to follow Waris! Our Group squeezed in to their new seating area and we were fed like Kings.
Guess where we plan to eat next weekend?
Where else do you eat that you can recommend?