It is the End of May Bank Holiday Monday, as opposed to the Mayday Bank Holiday which was rarely a Holiday in the World of Hector. What is significant, today is Hector’s last ever Holiday from work. Twenty three more working days to go then the R-word… How should Hector mark the day?
Marg and Hector set out for the South Side early afternoon, there had to be a Curry-Heute, and the Curry had to be at the Restaurant (to use the term loosely) where Hector has enjoyed more Curry Experiences than any other Venue since the birth of this Website – Yadgar (148 Calder St, Govanhill, Glasgow, G42 7QP). Naveed was in his usual place behind the counter, manning the show. He was not expecting us, normally the order for Lamb Karahi – Hector-style – has been placed directly with The Management. Today I decided to see what was on offer, at worst I could have a Starter then wait the required Forty Five minutes for a Karahi to be prepared.
Before Naveed talked me through the prepared Dishes he pointed towards the Dining Area which was in some disarray. Boards covered the floor, one toilet door said – Out of order – the other had been blocked over. Chairs were stacked at the window, some tables were away from the wall. Ah, paint, mosaic too! Curryspondents, the much promised renovation of the interior of Yadgar is now underway! And not before time.
On offer today were various Chicken Dishes, Liver too. Two Lamb Dishes stood out from these, Aloo Gosht and Karela Gosht. The latter was on-the-bone. Karela I have grown fond of, but have not consumed much of, in recent times. The Bitter Vegetable. Since I was not having a Karahi, this was the perfect opperchancity to re-visit the Wonderful Yadgar Vegetable Rice. Marg had previously decided a Starter would do. Mushroom Pakora was on display, Marg asked for Mixed Pakora.
The customary cans of Rubicon Mango were brought by the relatively new still Nameless Waiter, then the Complimentary Poppadoms (Four!) and Dips. Marg remarked on the Quality of the Spiced Onions. Chunky too. Naveed brought the Glasses and the Yadgar Salad. The Salad has evolved over the years from Modest to Substantial. With Black Olives and two types of Pickled Green Chillies this is quite a Feast in itself. We both knew what was about to happen.
Mr Anwar Sr. entered the premises. Having removed his coat, he was straight across. The Renovations were very much the discussion point, for once Curry was not mentioned. Having witnessed The Workers at Work during the exterior renovations he was clearly not putting any exact time on the completion of this project. The floor had in fact been finished, new tiles were just about visible. A single toilet door will give access to the separate Ladies and Gents. Hopefully both of these will be totally gutted and brought into the Twenty First Century. The work is being done from 07.00 until 13.00 so that they can carry on with their business of serving the Best Curry in Glasgow.
The work could be completed by the end of this week. I am tempted to return on Saturday.
We know the Review of the Karela Gosht is going to be Wonderful, so lets begin with the Mixed Pakora. Look at the Size of it! For Marg, this had Defeat written all over it. Yadgar is also a Takeaway, so no worries, Hector was already looking forward to sampling the Leftovers at a later time.
The Fish Pakora was plentiful. Fish in Batter – was how Marg described it. Methinks it be far more than this. The tell-tale Coriander Leaves gave away that there was Subtle Spicing in there too. Fish at Yadgar is always a Treat, check any Review where The Friends of Hector have – been fed -, the Scottish Haddock. I have never seen the point of Chicken Pakora, the Meat adds nothing. Surely Chicken Chaat or Tikka is a much better Starter? Still, Marg enjoyed this too, well she ordered it. Mushroom Pakora can be Rubbery, these were not. The Vegetable Pakora was Fairly Standard. All was Fresh and Tasty.
Marg ate more than she anticipated, she had to keep herself amused whilst Hector did his thing. When it came time to Bag the Plate, Naveed admitted to Marg that she had only been given so much because of who she was sitting opposite.
Let’s take time to consider the venues which give Four or Five Pieces of Pakora as a Serving, AND charge approaching half the price of a Main Course too.
Karela Gosht
It has been a while indeed. The Curry looked very similar to the Karahi which is normally consumed. The Masala was identical, Thick and Minimal and Shrouds the Meat like no other Masala I have encountered. One can tell the Masala belongs to the Meat, they are as one, not Sauce poured over Meat and – how do you do? The Lamb was on-the-bone, believe me, this is important, so much more Flavour. The distinctive Yadgar Taste was there, not as intense as in the Karahi, the Karela may have tempered this by adding its Natural Bitterness. The Karela was visible but not over-present. An abundance would have sent us down the – let’s cover the Curry in Onion and Capsicum route.
Seeking a Quality Vegetable Rice has bubbled up once more in Hector’s priorities. With Karahi it has to be Bread, study the Splendour of what was presented here, then Cringe! Mr. Arshad was nowhere to be seen today, he would know. The #3 Chef remains unknown to Hector – still – in went the Capsicum, Hector sat and picked out every offending piece before smothering it. The Potato content was to the fore, the Mushrooms and Peas brought up the rear. This made for a Very Filling Meal, and Hector had only ordered a Portion, not the usual Half Kilo.
I was nearing the End-Game when Shkoor entered. He was upon us immediately knowing full well that I had not pre-arranged this meal.
Oh, what have they done?! – he remarked on seeing the Pile of Offending Green Mush.
The Bill
£12.50. A Mountain of Food.
The Aftermath
There was a lengthy discussion with Shkoor about the Curry, and of course the Renovations. The new colour of the wall may be an undercoat.
Update
New Curryspondent Stanley has provided the following information:
The long awaited renovations are underway, wall tiles in the eating area and the toilets look first class. I am told that all the equipment in the carryout counter area and the kitchen is being replaced. I hope it does not affect the flavours of Glasgows best curry house.
Regards
Stanley