50 Visits in no time at all
The Staggs has been visited, the Cross Country Route to Edinburgh is becoming preferable to the more direct Queen Street Route. With line electrification underway, there was no choice today, Cross Country it was.
This meant a return to Glasgow Central, just across the River Clyde from The New Karahi Palace (51-53 Nelson Street, Tradeston, Glasgow, G5 8DZ). The Second Half of the Champions League Final was also under way. Dilemma, go and find a Pub and Dine much later or forego the Fitba’? Craig and Mags desired Curry, that was it. Jonathan needed no persuading. Dr. Stan was ambivalent until Hector played a Trump Card – Chapli Kebab? – hooked.
Taxi to the New Karahi Palace
The Driver had never heard of it, he has now.
The Reserve Chef and the new Young Lady Assistant who speaks as much English as her Spanish counterpart were manning the counter. I gestured we were five and pointed upstairs. Upstairs was Dark and Cool, unusual for a Saturday when frequently there is a family having a function. We retreated downstairs and pulled two tables together.
Rashid was suddenly standing beside us with a pad in hand, he took The Hector Order – Big. No more need be said. Qaiser was back in the house presumably having being doing a delivery. He took over.
Starters?
Ayaz, Mein Host, also entered, acknowledgements, and hopefully impressed that we were Five.
Mags and Craig announced they were starving and would share a Vegetable Pakora. Qaiser disappointed The Doctor by stating they do not serve Chapli Kebabs, and so he and Jonathan ordered Seekh Kebabs. Qaiser offered Tarka Daal to Jonathan at this point, accepted.
Hector would have to sit this out. One does not have a Starter before a Half Kilo of Lamb Karahi, unless someone mentions Lamb Chops. Not tonight.
Dr. Stan and Jonathan both ordered Keema Karahi. Mags her – This is the Best Aloo Gosht in Glasgow. Craig stuck to Chicken (?) Karahi with Fried Rice (?), Chapattis for everyone else.
The TV was showing who knows what. We asked Qaiser to put on the Footay, and so we saw the last half hour.
Two other Chaps came in and sat at the table under the TV on the far side. One smiled in acknowledgement. I never saw what they ordered, far too busy…
One has to write every Blog entry as if the Reader is here for the first time. The Taxi Driver had never heard of the New Karahi Palace, there are many who pass it by. This Modest Venue punches way above its weight.
The Lamb Karahi is simply Astonishing. Tonight’s’ Lamb was a mixture of Chops and Cuts with Sucky Bones. The Bone content means the Half Kilo is doable without Stress. The Excellent, Soft, Large Chapattis are used to scoop alternating pieces of Meat and then support the Masala. The Masala is nothing like the Masala served in the Mainstream Curry Houses, this is a Mash of Onion and Tomato that has turned to Pulp but the Ingredients remain identifiable. Perhaps a but Under-seasoned on this visit, the Flavours and Spice Level remain as they should. Topped with Fresh Green Chillies, Fresh Coriander and Fresh Ginger Strips there is a Diversity to make this Infinitely more than Meat in a Sauce.
Hector was not the only Diner who was having a thoroughly good experience.
Dr. Stan – It was very, very, …..
Jonathan – I concur.
I have never seen Mags eat a Starter then finish all of her Main – Still the best, a bit more coriander.
Craig thankfully had much more to say, quel surpris!
Not as fearsome, more flavoursome. He then compared this to his two recent visits and pronounced this to be easily his favourite. Craig may be more Spice Tolerant than he will admit. He will be back.
The Bill
£56.10. Given the five of us had markedly different fayre, Qaiser had already prepared individual Bills. Hector’s share was £13.90.
The Aftermath
Four days of Curry eating has reached a conclusion. The Best remains The Best.
