A Thursday in April, a Curry. The last ever Curry with a work related evening to follow.
Visits to the Akash (45 Sinclair St., Helensburgh, G84 8TG) will decline in the coming months, but something BIG is planned for later. This evening, James accompanied Hector for the Thursday – order what you wish a la carte for £15.00. The Menu is posted on the door which was unusually closed. Tetula? I have never spotted that. Tamarind? Hector loves the Tang of Tamarind.
Irfan was consulted. Chicken Tetula appeared under – Chef’s Specials. Of course, any of these dishes are available in Tender Lamb. What about an Aloo Gosht version? No problem.
Would you like a sprinkling of Methi on top?
No need to ask twice. Given the expected Mainstream Masala, Mushroom Rice should be an excellent accompaniment.
James loves his Curry but has not had enough years to work his way around the entire array of dishes on offer in Indian Restaurants. He took advice and opted for Lamb Acahri. A Peshwari Naan and a Pilao Rice to accompany. Time was when Hector may have considered this volume, but we still had Starers to select.
The Mixed Combo? – asked Irfan. He knows. James asked what – Puri – is.
You’ve never had a Prawn Puri? You’ll love it and it won’t be your last.
The Musical Accompaniment from the Akash Laptop this evening was Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan performing yet another live version of his classic – Allah Hoo. This went on for ages and so track of time was lost. Still, we were on a time budget.
The Starters
The Chicken Tikka in the Mixed Combo has come to the fore in recent visits. It used to be the Lamb Tikka that stood apart. The Seekh Kebab has taken a firm back seat. Succulent only begins to describe the Chicken Tikka. The Lamb Tikka took in more spice. A Perfect Combination.
That was lovely – was James initial remark for his Prawn Puri. And it will not be my last. QED.
Irfan came across to address James. Would you like a sprinkling of Methi on your Achari?
What a wonderful idea.
The Peshwari Naan was placed on the table. Who could eat all that? Hector did not dream of touching it.
The Mushroom Rice was decanted in its entirety onto the plate. A Large Portion of Rice. 
The Tetula was served with sufficient Masala, they do not to serve Soup at the Akash. The covering of Dry Methi was Liberal, here we go…
The Seasoning was right on the Edge, more would have been Excessive. Rashid in the kitchen knows how to get the most out of his Ingredients. The Tang and the Kick were present, what astonished was how clearly the Flavours from the Lamb came through. I always appreciate this. The Portion of Lamb and Potato again was Perfect in Quantity, a good Balance of Vegetable and Meat, With the Mushrooms, Hector indeed had a plateful of Interesting Vegetables. This was another Akash Winner.
The Lamb Achari as served at the Akash always impresses. James was impressed. The Methi Topping would have given the Dish even more Flavour. One suspects James will be back here. One also suspects that when he next visits Nakodar, his Local, an attempt to replicate this evening’s order will be attempted. Watch this space.
Most of the Peshwari Naan went into a Doggy Bag.
The Bill
£33.00. A Veritable Feast.
The Aftermath
Irfan asked if I would like to chat with Rashid. The Chef, who is also the Co-owner, came from the kitchen –
You have been to Munich, the Indian Mango.
Rashid reads Curry-Heute regularly, as some do…
We discussed – how – the Chettinad at Indian Mango can be so different from Curry served anywhere else. Rashid remarked that there is a limit to how many dishes can be served. Long cooking, short cooking, more spice, less spice. Think of the Restaurants which have Overlong Menus that resemble Icelandic Sagas. Needless and Confusing.