Friday’s visit left me wondering why Kabana (64 Seaward St, Glasgow, G41 1HJ) have placed Achari in the Desi section of their Menu. Perhaps the on-the-bone version may have been significantly different. After three visits, the most impressive Dish encountered was the Karela Lamb served on-the-bone. Today Hector resolved to try another on-the-bone Dish – Aloo Lamb – £7.99).
Arriving once again late afternoon, the same Waitress as Friday was on duty. There was a moment of startled recognition. I’m back. This time the Menu was brought straight away. The Sparkling Water was also served – Cold – no need for Ice.
When I ordered the Karela Lamb previously, the Waiter was happy to permit the Hector Tweak – Dry Methi Topping. Dare The Hector ask this Waitress who does not know the difference between Capsicum and Chili?
Aloo Lamb, on-the-bone with a Methi Topping?
Methi?
I’ll write it down for you. And so the pad and pen were offered. … DRIED METHI ADDED AT END. Why did I write – DRIED, and not DRY? An attempt to ensure a Topping and not end up with a Saag/Palak Dish. The Waitress went off to the Kitchen to check.
Dry Methi is available.
Perfect.
To accompany, Hector was drawn towards the Kabana Punjabi Rice. Mushroom Rice and Vegetable Rice were alternatives, Kabana Punjabi Rice sounded more exotic. I could have asked. I should have read my own Blog more thoroughly before visiting. Beware of the Kabana Punjabi Rice!
Some Chaps arrived after me and were located in the adjacent booth. Why so close?
Two large tables at the door had been set out more formally than the rest of the Restaurant, who was expected? There was little sign of a Management Presence. I heard a delivery guy asking but with my back to the door never saw who responded. Hector was hoping to make contact. The Samsung has been behaving for the last few days, here’s hoping… The chatter on Real Ale Twats is incessant and insane.
The Food
Wow!
The Aloo Lamb was entirely different from the Achari served last week, this looked like the Perfect Hector Curry. The Portion was Substantial, no worry about the meat to bone ratio here. The Methi Topping was there along with Fresh Coriander. The Masala was Minimal, as hoped for, always.
Beware of the Kabana Punjabi Rice!
Chopped Onion and Capsicum were the added Vegetables. Capsicum! At least in the Rice it is easily picked out, however, Hector was paying for his least-loved Vegetable in Curry. Dear Reader, ‘plogies for this endlessly continuing rant, but we all know there is nothing – Punjabi – about adding Capsicum to – Anything! Still, the Brown Coating on the Rice was reminiscent of the Rice served at The Village along the road. This Rice would still be decent accompaniment to the Curry set before me.
The Lamb was as good as Lamb can be, falling off-the-bone with the gentlest of forking. The bones make all the difference to the Overall Flavour, a dimension that Boneless Lamb will never achieve. The Spice was Modest, the Seasoning perhaps a Tad below the Hector niche. As with Friday, Oil was collecting at the base of the karahi, when poured over the Rice it added even more of the Classic Earthy Flavour of the Dish. The Potato content gave the Dish the impressive volume, there was no skimping here. This was the Welcomed Interesting Vegetable.
Whilst the Aloo Lamb was most enjoyable, the Curry did not have the distinctive Flavours served at the Hector’s Top Rated Glasgow Curry Houses.
When the Waitress came to take away the Debris, I pointed to the Chopped Capsicum. Remember on Friday you didn’t know what Capsicum is, this is it. Green Chillies are Spicy and Welcome, these are Sweet and Blah… (Facial Expression to match.) Someone had to tell her.
The Bill
£12.48. A Good Price.
Fried Methi. You cannot be serious!
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was produced but the Waitress was busying herself at the Buffet which had not been utililised during my visit. It was left on the table. A Chap was sitting at a table at the window. He acknowledged me, I nodded. A pity there was no greater contact. Maybe Kabana has more to offer, a chat with the Staff may have been fruitful. Invite me, show me what you can do…
Update 2019
December 6th, a fire, reports say the building has been destroyed.
Update 2020
Kabana has gone.