Discovered by Hector only in Summer 2014, Shahbaaz (19 Rose St., Aberdeen, AB10 11X) is an established Aberdeen Curry House of some Twenty Eight Years. So a Mature Chap, who could well have been the Owner, assured me as he alighted from his car and addressed me as I studied their Doorway Menu. There are two reasons, there are three reasons, why it took so long to – discover – Shahbaaz. Firstly, after a frustrating experience at the adjacent Light of Bengal some years ago, I had not walked along Rose St again until summer past. Secondly, nobody up here has mentioned it, so whose radar is Shahbaaz on? Finally, Hector is not from these parts. Over the years I have had my Favourites – The Jewel in The Crown and Nazma. Neither venue has proved themselves to serve beyond the Mainstream in recent years. Shri Bheema‘s have most recently taken on the mantle of trying to impress Hector. It will be May before I can manage a return to their extensive #2 Premises at Bridge of Don.
After a Night at The Museum, Marg and Hector entered Shahbaaz just after 21.00. It is the Eve the First of the Festive Days, there are Three Tables occupied, all are about to finish. The layout was not what was expected, a longer, narrower interior than anticipated, but then the frontage is not extensive. We were shown to a table for Two, always a puzzle when a venue is this quiet. Marg had the view hence the lack of interior photos. The Menu was brought, Extensive was the First Realisation. We all know that there are only a Couple of Curry Pots in the Kitchen, so when the choice of Curry goes on for Six Pages one should really make a quick order for a Starter and then choose at leisure. Under – New Specialities – was – Shahi Lamb: Tender pieces of lamb cooked in fresh tomatoes, yogurt, fresh green chilli, paneer, ground spices and fresh coriander which blends together to bring a beautiful aroma and taste. As this was early in The Menu, Marg spotted this too. For a brief moment we were both going to order this Dish, in the end Marg did. Carry on Reading.
Next up was Lamb Karahi, Hector’s Root Curry Choice. This was almost the selection given the offer of withholding the Dreaded Capsicum was stated on The Menu. There’s more.
The Garam Masala Dishes had the required Key Ingredient – Methi – here we go – Diced marinated pieces of meat, beautifully prepared in special bhoona style sauce with choice ingredients including fresh ground green chillies, cumin seeds, cloves of cinnamon, fenugreek and liberal use of fresh coriander giving you a real Mirchi taste. Bhoona Masala suggests somewhere towards – Dry. If the Fresh Coriander can be applied Liberally, so can the Methi. Nearly there.
Before the Old Favourites and Old Age kicked in I reached the Chatkharedar Dishes. Sources suggest this term hails from the North-West of the Indian Subcontinent, Hector’s Preferred Culinary Region. Diced pieces of lamb cooked in Bhoona style sauce with fresh green chilli, fresh mint, crushed lemon, cashew nuts, almonds and using fresh coriander to give it that unique flavour. In other words, the Garam Masala with Lemon and Nuts but no Methi. Somehow – Taste – has become – Flavour – too. Hector is on holiday, too much time on his hands. Consider how Pedantic reviews might become when Hector retires.
From the above, the Ideal Hector Curry would be Chatkharedar Garam Masala Karahi (without Capsicum). Ask The Waiter.
Marg’s order was noted – Shahi Lamb. Hector’s list of requirements was announced – Lamb, not Tikka Lamb, Dry, Minimal Masala, Methi, and if Methi present, Extra Methi. The Interesting Vegetable and Extra Seasoning were dropped, one cannot have everything. Visit Glasgow’s Yadgar or The New Karahi Palace, then one can. The Waiter notted The Ingredients – Lamb Chatkharedar was his conclusion, with added Methi, Madras Hot.
£3.95 for a Vegetable Rice? Not outrageous, still, No thanks. This is where Hector has issues in Aberdeen. I have seen worse up here than the £1.50 charged at Shahbaaz for a Single Chapatti. Marg is happy to order One Chapatti currently. (Bring on the up to Four Inclusive Chapattis supplied in Bradford.) A Plain Paratha for Hector, £2.95. An Extra 80p to be stuffed. Plain tends to Flaky, let’s see how they do.
A 0.75l Bottle of Sparkling Water was £4.10. I paid Twice this in Aberdeen, Once! This is how Aberdeen Curry outlets cash in. Beware. Oh, and Poppadoms were offered, no price on Takeaway Menu from which I quote. If they wished us to have them, they should have brought them.
When the Food arrived the Paratha was an Instant Hit, a Flaky Paratha and a Decent Size. Marg’s Modest Chapatti was folded into Quarters.
The Curry Containers were placed on the Plate Warmer, I spotted mine – Dark and Herb-strewn.
Marg was puzzled by hers, the Big Bright Blobs. Not Chicken, surely? I was mind reading. Paneer explained The Waiter. Cottage Cheese he offered for further clarity. Marg has not had Paneer since Omar’s in Bradford three years ago. This took her aback.
Your Masala looks Fruity – was Hector’s first observation of the Shahi Lamb. The Masala was Pale in comparison to the Chatkharedar. Most of the Paneer would come Hector’s way. Pleasant but not outstanding – was Marg’s verdict. I was inclined to agree when I sampled it. Marg – There was plenty lamb, I didn’t like the paneer, I’m not sure of it, or its texture.
The first notable comment on the Chatkharedar was the Blast of Citrus. This was a definite Plus. The Specks of Herb in the Thick Masala confirmed the Herb presence, sadly the equivalent Methi Blast did not happen. More Seasoning required. Cue the Cheese. By helping out Marg, I hoped the Paneer would up the Salt content, it didn’t. The Paneer was Quite Bland actually. Not on my list of Preferred Inredients.
The Lamb was Abundant, more than enough. A Side of Vegetables would have led to instantaneous defeat.
The Chatkharedar was Pleasant, Enjoyable but still too Mainstream for Hector to call Outstanding. The Waiter did his check-up, as did the Senior Chap on duty. There was no reason to be Negative, but on the First Visit to a Venue one always hopes to find somewhere new to rave about. Shahbaaz was not it.
The Bill
£31.50. £5.00 above Glasgow Prices, and Double Bradford‘s.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was deployed and received without comment. I saw it taken from Counter to Kitchen, still No Comment.
Pleasant Staff, Pleasant Surroundings, Pleasant Curry. The City of Aberdeen must surely be able to offer The Outstanding? Aberdeenshire can – The Echt Tandoori!