A Late night Curry was not possible, however, The Waiter at the Masala Hut (Severinstrasse 52C, 50678, Köln, Deutschland) assured me they would re-open at Noon today. Finding a Köln Curry House open this early on a Sunday is challenging.
Masala Hut lies immediately outside the new U-Bahn Station halfway down Severinstrasse, not that this is particularly useful information as the new line still ends at Neumarkt. Years of upheaval and still no direct line to Köln-Süd. The words Edinburgh and Tram come to mind.
It was approaching 13.00 when I entered Masala Hut. Clive and Maggie had already installed themselves at Früh am Dom, ah they had checked out of their Ibis as they go home today. Clive and Maggie are not on holiday.
The doors to Masala Hut were wide open, a winter chill hung in the air, where to sit. I sat near a portable heater, the doors were then closed. Was I the Lone Diner? A Lady sat on the far wall where I had sat in the summer. If Sydney Greenstreet was reincarnated, then this was she. I don’t know who she was but she nursed a plate of Soup and watched my every move. A Chap came in, greeted her then sat at an adjacent table. He had a Netbook. Observer #2.
A Young Waitress and a Young Chef were running the show. There was no sign of the Chef/Owner who had looked after me so well in the summer during Hector Bounces Back. Today I would have to order from The Menu. Lamm Achari should be safe and Flavoursome. Minimal Sos. An Interesting Vegetable was required. There was no mention of Side Dishes on The Menu, for and extra €6.50 I would order a Second Curry – Mixed Vegetable Curry. Just how much Cauliflower would this contain? I had noted a fixation with Cauliflower on my previous visit.
Das kommt mit Reis? I had to ensure I did not receive Two Portions. The Waitress understood. She kept herself busy while the Chef prepared my order. The Trusty New Samsung with 4G kept The Hector amused. I amused my Observers.
The Rice came first, enough for Two. A Plate of Dark Curry then followed. This looked the part, a Rich, Earthy Masala and not excessive. As Dry as I’m going to get in Deutschland, apart from the Indian Mango. The Vegetable Curry was presented in a Metal Bowl and sat on a Candle Heater. The Masala was entirely different, Thinner, and assurance that the Dishes had not come out of the same pot.
About Eight decent sized pieces of Meat made up the Achari. The Meat was suitably Tender, but was this Lamb? Do Sheep say – Moo? The Seasoning was exactly how it should be, enough to let the Flavours emerge. Initially I had little sense of Pickle, then I hit the Mother-load. Oh yes, this was Curry.
Cauliflower was one Vegetable not in the other Curry. Potatoes, Peas, Carrots and Green Beans were present.
The Chef had assured me in the summer that Capsicum is not used in this Restaurant. True to his words, they were in neither Curry today. The Vegetable Curry could not compete with the Achari in terms of Depth of Flavour but did add the Varied Textures this Diner was seeking. The Volume was not overwhelming but Rice had to be left. Nobody could eat that much Rice.
The Bill
€21.40. This included Two small bottles of Sparkling Water.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was handed over. For your Chef. Hopefully Mein Host will receive it. This is a Curry House I shall certainly be returning to.
Update November 2017
As if this city needed another Kebap House, Masala Hut has gone.