Between Bury and Kirkby Lonsdale lies Bradford, sort of. Hector’s Volkswagen Passat (Diesel) knows the road well, exhaust emissions are minimal, they say. For a change, Hector fancied Mughals on the Leeds Road, Marg had never been. The Venue was stowed this Sunday morning, The Locals here for Punjabi Breakfast. At 11.40 were were advised there would be no Menu available for another fifty minutes. They know their business, we left.
Five minutes later we were parked outside the Sheesh Mahal (6 St. Thomas’ Road, BD1 2RW, Bradford), they would open momentarily.
Expecting Sadaqat, Hector was surprised to be greeted by Omar, he has been on day shift for a few weeks, respite from the continuous late nights. He would mention later that he had been thinking days ago that I had not been around for some time. True, this was the first visit this year, and will not be the last.
Marg said she would have a Samosa, and Poppadoms. By the time the Salad, Poppadoms and three Dips arrived Lamb Chops had come to mind. Mango Chutney and Spiced Onions would complete Marg’s concept of – Just a Starter. As is the tradition, Hector studied The Menu then conceived his own Curry. Omar, we will talk.
Lamb on-the-bone Methi Achari, Chapattis – was the request given to Omar. Achari does not appear on the Menu at the Sheesh Mahal. The Mango Chutney was brought by the Young Waiter and Spiced Onions ordered.
Marg needed more Poppadoms, these duly came, followed by the Onions. Marg was taken aback. On a large Plate were Onions in Dressing covered with Onion Pakora. Oh dear, duty calls. This was Excellent.
Lamb Chops
The Portion was Five, Marg would eat Four, guess what! One was kept back for Hector. The Chops were tremendous. Marg coughed after her first bite, the Spice was in-your-face, the Marinade sound. Watch for Marg having Lamb Chops as the base for her Preferred Curry in the months to come.
Lamb Methi
From the first morsel – expletive deleted – The Bradford Blast was evident. Sometimes this is less so, especially during a period of Multiple Visits, it has been a while.
The Tender Lamb was both on and off-the-bone,. The Boneless cut Bradford-small, One Sucky Bone was buried in the Melange. With one, of three inclusive, Chapattis in hand, this Curry was as Good as Bradford Curry can be. Marg had a sample – The herbs – this what first drew Hector to Bradford Curry. It took years to realise/isolate Methi as The Synergy Ingredient. The Perfect Curry, but…. Somewhere between the Order and the Delivery, the Achari had been lost. Next time.
And now to end with my first Lamb Chop in weeks. Mmmmm.
Omar brought Dessert
Marg couldn’t believe it. One was A Rice Pudding variant, the other a Sponge-like Syrup-soaked mound of Sugar. Neither lasted too long, thank you, Omar.
The Bill
£13.90. Marg was appalled, we can’t just pay that! We didn’t. However, this is the Reality of Bradford, It All Posts Here.
The Aftermath
From the front door of the Sheesh Mahal a new sign is visible towards the City Centre – Bradford Brewery. I’ll be back, in three weeks.
And now for Kirkby Lonsdale.