It was only in the last few weeks Hector noticed that the Wee Curry Shop (41 Byres Road, Glasgow G11 5RG) on Byres Rd had been rebranded as the Little Curry House. It was time to investigate.
Summer may finally have arrived in the West of Scotland, Usha’s Vegetarian Restaurant at the corner of Byres Rd. and Dumbarton Rd. looked splendid, the sun showing up the red sandstone in all its glory. A – Vegetarian Restaurant – in Glasgow – and it’s still open after one year? The Little Curry House, one block further up Byres Rd, and on the West Side, was in the shade as Hector arrived late afternoon. They had opened at 16.00, Hector was the first customer of the day.
Research on-line had outlined the change of ownership from being part of the Mother India Chain to a private enterprise. The Singh Family now operate this, nothing to do with the other Singhs one assumes. The Waiter took me upstairs and laid out the a la Carte Menu along with the Pre-theatre and the Drinks Menus. Having studied the a la Carte earlier I was aware that only two Lamb Dishes are always available – Lamb Karahi (£8.45) and Ginger Lamb with Mushroom (£8.95). The Specials had a third Lamb Dish – Patina Lamb (£8.95). The Trusty Samsung was being consulted when the Waiter came back up the stairs to the mezzanine.
Mint – he informed me.
I don’t wish Mint in Curry, I prefer Methi.
The subtlety of this hint was lost.
Ginger Lamb with Mushroom it would be, with a Plain Paratha (£2.50) and the ever sought – Sparkling Water (£1.90). This Main Course was not on the Pre-theatre Menu and so no offer was made to take that route. One always wonders about portion size when one takes the risk of a deal.
I took this opperchancity to enquire about the Mother India connection. Two years – I was told since this became a private business. Mmmm. Hector was here last in December 2013, it is possible they had already changed over, who looks up as one heads to Partick Cross when the former Wilson’s Bar (now Tony Macaroni) comes into view?
Enough time had passed to suggest that the Curry had not simply been taken out The Big Pot. The Waiter seemed amused when Hector placed the wooden base of the karahi on the dining plate. Why decant?
First impressions were quite wrong. The Masala looked Thin, Runny. However once this excess was mopped/soaked up with the quartered (why?), quite Flaky Paratha, the residue was Excellent. A Mash – just how Hector loves his Curry. Little Surprises – was how the Masala was noted. The sliced Button Mushrooms blended in well with the Onion Slices and hints of Fresh Coriander. The Ginger Strips gave the Pleasant Crunch. (Once upon a time, before Ginger Strips…) The Lamb was Tender and sufficient in quantity. With large pieces, possibly in double figures, this again was not the first impression. The karahi contained a greater volume than anticipated. This had the makings of an excellent Curry, the Spice level was such that one was aware without being troubled. What spoiled the entire serving was a total lack of Seasoning. A pity.
Better than Mainstream, but not Wonderful enough to rave about.
Mrs. Majhu’s
Long before Curry-Heute there was the Lamb Bhoona served on these premises, the Driest Curry Hector had ever been served. This stood comparison with the Best of Bradford. One day, someone will resurrect this – Please!
The Bill
£13.35. Correct, as added from the above. Good value given the portion size.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was given to The Waiter who immediately summoned Kulwant, Mein Host the Chef.
The Website was shown, the List of Cities does go on a bit.
Kulwant mentioned Edinburgh. Curry-Heute has a lack of Edinburgh Venues. Did he say he had worked in Haymarket? He told me the story of working at Mother India before setting himself up here.
We are a family business.
I wish them well. If they re-create the Lamb Bhoona from the days of Mrs. Majhu, then someone please tell me!
Update – July, 2015
Initially I concluded The Waiter was Jasdeep, apparently not the case.
The comments below do not reveal who served me.
First of all I’d like to thank you for taking the time out to write this review of our restaurant. I’m sorry to hear that the food/service didn’t live up to expectations and that the meal lacked ‘seasoning’.
Just to clear a few things up we took over the business 2013 April but we changed the name of the business a little after that, also the waiter that served you was Guri not myself, Jasdeep.
On the note of the dry Lamb dish, we could definitely give something like that a go and I’m sure it’ll work out great, there’s always a possibility something new can come on the menu.
I would like to welcome you back to dine with us for a lovely dry Lamb dish, as I believe this to be an off day for us.
We look forward to dinning with you again in the near future.
Thanks
LCH Management
Jasdeep Singh
Hector replies
Jasdeep
I do not read my review, after the passage of time, as being negative towards your establishment. I have written many positives, the lack of seasoning (for my palate) is what stopped the dish having – the wow factor. Such are the hopes and/or expectations when I visit the Curry Cafes of Glasgow, Bradford, Manchester…
I am always available to eat Curry. You will see the style of Karahi I seek from the places I visit most. Whilst it is the same dish, each venue has their own accent on flavour which prevents monotony. I’m sure The Little Curry House is capable of serving something outstanding, which takes me back to my review.
See you soon?
Hector.
It was to say could you please change this review as the information is not correct, Jasdeep wasn’t there, your waiter was another employee. Thanks
Hector replies:
Hi Kamal, happy to make the adjustment. So still you do not reveal the name of the waiter who served Hector?
And what chance the return of the very dry Lamb Bhuna from yesteryear?
Why don’t you invite me back for a real treat? – A well-seasoned – dry – Lamb Karahi…on-the-bone with Methi (no Capsicum).