Aberdeen – Shri Bheema’s – Bridge of Don – Outstanding!

A weekend in Aberdeen watching Hockey, the payback must be a Curry Opperchancity. Curry for Fifteen was arranged for this evening at the Bridge of Don branch of Shri Bheema’s (Balgownie Road, Nevis Business Park, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB22 8NT).
Prior to this there was a distraction or two, Hockey and Go Karting. The highlight of the morning was when the Umpire approached Hector at the side of the pitch after the first match to introduce herself. Gill is a reader of Curry-Heute. I’m hooked – was her admission. Having made contact in person, Gillian is now welcomed as a Curryspondent. If ever down in Glasgow, The Curry Club will take you to The Favoured Places.  Read on.
Balgownie Rd is easy to find, finding Shri Bheema’s in the dark was not. Still there is no sign, one assumed this matter would have been sorted since the first visit. With the minibus towing a trailer the large car park outside Shri Bheema’s had the potential to accommodate. Who knew there would be a function on tonight? A minibus, a trailer, a cul-de-sac, joy.
Once everything was pointing in the right direction we entered the restaurant. Our table was set, Sajid was behind the counter. Greeting Saj by name impressed, I had read a reliable Curry Blog prior to arriving just to remind myself. I had also advised the girls that sharing a Rice was quite sufficient such was the portion received previously. Anitha, Mein Hostess, was nowhere to be seen, little did I realise she was quite close by.
Menus were provided and the Drinks order taken. Pints of Coke and Tap Water dominated. Hector opted for  a litre Bottle of Sparkling Water (£3.99 – Jewel in The Crown take note.) Fifteen people would not be served in an instant. We were here – To Dine – and on  Student Budgets too.
Starters were vetoed else those not ordering would have potentially faded to a skeleton by the time they would be fed. On opening the Menu there was a panic. Starters gave way to South Indian Dishes. Regular Readers will know of Hector’s preference for North-West Cuisine. There was nothing to float the boat. Marg mentioned a choice I hadn’t spotted, ah pages stuck together. Something similar has happened on their website. Where is the Hector Curry?
Only Marg and Hector would order Lamb. The Handi Masala described itself as fit for a Hector. Thirteen Chickens, we know what’s coming next. Julia, our Resident Kiwi and Marg’s Assistant enquired about Butter Chicken. Touring the table there was clearly a demand for this. Saj was consulted. The Nawabi Makhani is the new nomenclature for this Classic. Sally, Lucy M, Melissa and Katherine joined Julia in the Nawabi Makhani. How many Chicken Korma? Five also. Anina, Isabella, Iona, Lucy K and Vicki. Actually, Vicky and Melissa had agreed at the start to share each others. Quaint.

Virginia has yet to find a Curry she likes and so opted for Pakora. The Vegetable Pakora was described as Onion Pakora. With no Potato this was eschewed in favour of Chicken. Two Portions of Chicken Pakora (one plate) were ordered as a Main. Marg opted for Lamb Mughalai Saagwala, Heather impressed by ordering the Chicken equivalent. One suspects this Lady has had Curry before. And a Chicken Tikka Masala for Rowena!
There was a significant demand for Peshawari Naan, backed up with Garlic Naan and Plain Naan. The Paratha was a – Wow – on the last visit, Hector needed one. All of these Breads were £3.99. Marg chose the solitary Chapatti at £2.79. How much? Imagine a Diner from Bradford, where Rice or a Naan or Paratha or up to Four Chapattis are typically included in the price of the Main Course, visiting Aberdeen. Five Pilau Rice again at £3.99 a pop completed the order.
The Main Courses ordered this evening ranged from £9.99 to £11.99, potentially better value than seen last night at the Nazma Tandoori, however, we are well out of town.
Saj asked if I – would like Poppadoms for the table.

Are you giving? The reply was positive. We had considered these but putting £30.00 on The Bill for Poppadoms and Dips was a non starter. For the record, I had asked Anitha at the time of booking if there would be a surcharge for the large group. It is not the policy of Shri Bheema’s to do so, unlike the last Hockey Trip to Aberdeen when Nawaabs tried it on.
Anitha!
Anitha had been sitting at the adjacent table with a family. It was only when she stood up that I recognised her. She came over to talk to Marg and Hector. She assumed I was ordering the Fish Chettinad once again, Handi – The Bhuna. They have been renaming some Signature Dishes. Shri Bheema’s has been running a Food Festival in the last few days. We missed a choice of Forty Traditional Dishes this afternoon. I explained that this was our only time slot. Maybe next year I will have the time to come up to Aberdeen and dine at leisure, and learn?
It takes time to prepare the arrival of Fifteen Simultaneous Mains. Saj apologised for the wait. This gave us all time to chat. Mr Stelios released the Flights beyond October today. Plans can be made firm. Julia will be joining Marg and Hector in München in November, she too shall experience the wonder that is Indian Mango.

Everything arrived as together as was realistic. Let’s start with the negative. The Chapatti and the Paratha were too pale, tiny, certainly not worth the over-inflated Aberdeen Bread Price. The Naans were further along the table and were served in pieces, Hector prefers to see the Naan in its full splendour, cf the Curry-Heute Homepage. Having thoroughly enjoyed the Flaky Paratha served last time, this disappointed.

Topped with Flaky Onion the Handi Masala (second bottom of page) stood out from the array of Curry. As soon as Marg started her Lamb Mughalai Saagwala her remark was – You’ll like this. I was able to sample the end game, indeed I did. This Spinach Curry had the Herb strewn through it, far better IMHO than the Green Palak Masala that one usually encounters. Now make this with Methi and …

Lamb Mughalai Saagwala

The recently re-titled Butter Chicken Girls all enjoyed their Nawabi Makhani.
Katherine – That was really tasty, one of the best I’ve had.
Lucy M – Delicious, it was creamy and not too sweet.

Julia – It was quite spicy, really spicy actually. The choice of the chicken (pieces) was cooked to perfection. It was quite a creamy butter chicken. I though the garlic naan could have had a bit more more garlic.

Five had enjoyed The Baby Curry, aka Chicken Korma.

Anina – It was very enjoyable with a subtle hint of spice.
Iona – The chicken was really succulent. The right amount of spice and flavouring.
Lucy K – It was really tasty, one of the best Korma I’ve ever had. Not sure if it was worth the hour and a half wait.

Cue Hector’s opperchancity to describe why dining alone has its advantages. The Curry comes quicker and is fresher, no lying under hot lamps waiting for fourteen other dishes.

Chicken Pakora

Virginia had a mass of Chicken Pakora. More Sauce had to be arranged – to dip.
For a person who likes their Pakora I’d give it 10 out of 10 – said The Lady.

Handi Masala
The Handi Masala was Dark, Rich, Thick, exactly what Hector seeks in Curry. The Reddish hue reflected the Tomato content which complemented the Onion. The Seasoning is Perfect – was the first Hector utterance. To achieve the Perfect Harmony of Tomato and Onion in the Masala takes great skill. The Masala was full of Flavour. The Spice level was significant, not excessive, ideal. There was a Sufficiency of Tender Lamb presented in large Pieces. This was easily the best Curry I have had in The City of Aberdeen in years. I know where Marg and Hector will have their next Aberdeen Curry, and probably the one after that.

Have I forgotten anything?
Who ordered Chicken Tikka Masala? Rowena!

Julia and Marg only managed half of their shared Rice. Rowena’s share had long since gone, in she went. It was then I realised the table which had groaned with Bread, Rice and Curry was bare. We had eaten the lot, zero waste. No Sparrows here.
Rowena – The chicken was very succulent. It was lovely and creamy with just the right amount of spice.

Chicken Tikka Masala

There we have it, a review for Chicken Tikka Masala on Curry-Heute. I’m almost tempted… but I know what lies in store in the next week, a surprise or two…

The Bill
£252.31. To keep things fair, everyone paid for what they ordered.

The Aftermath
Saj spotted the Karahi which had been wiped clean. This said it all. The Best Curry I’ve had in The City of Aberdeen in years. Anitha returned to express her thanks. Thanks for having us!  Later on a certain Media Site we established that although Shri Bheema’s have a City Centre branch as well as this, they have combined their page so as not to compete.
I was told Chef has won an award for the last two years. With this Fayre, not a surprise.
Who wins awards?