Spice of The City has gone, the premises have been given an upgrade, we now have The Chennai Restauarant (52 Oswald St, Glasgow G1 4PL). Hector has done well in the World of Curry-Heute in recent outings, my Most Favouritest (sic) Curry Houses in Manchester, Bradford and Glasgow all visited within a week. It is time to try somewhere new, savour the alternative flavours that Curry can offer.
The on-line Menu was surveyed before heading into The City, Lamb Chettinad (£8.49) was the first of the Lamb Curry Dishes on offer. Fish Chettinad was available too. There is only One Source of Fisch Chettinad, it is unlikely Hector will ever find anything that comes close, but one never knows.
Arriving at the Curry O’Clock, one Diner was finishing a Thali, another Chap sat at the head of the room presumably a Staff Member having a break. A Young Waiter and a Young Waitress were on duty, between them they managed to supply The Menu and take the Drinks order – Sparkling Water. The Lamb Chettinad was ordered – A Traditional Chettinad preparation, combining ground coconut, curry leaves, fennel and sesame seeds – no mention of the Unwelcome Vegetable. On the assumption that there would be Copious Masala, Rice had to be ordered. Vegetable Fried Rice (£3.49) felt a bit Pricey. Bisibelabath (£3.99) was a new one for Hector, a Rice Dish with Lentils I now know. I had to take advice, the Waiter described it as – Wet -, a Dish in its own right, not to be had with Curry I would deduce with the aid of hindsight and access to other sources. Vegetable Fried Rice it was then, I asked for assurance that no Capsicum would appear.
The Sparkling Water caused a problem. They had none, The Waitress brought a bottle of Still, this was sent back. By now The Waiter had offered me Soda Water, but had put it in the fridge to chill it. Have you no Ice? Eventually, the smallest of Bottles was provided, just enough to fill the glass.
Spice of The City was very much a Curry Cafe, that I never returned may remain an unsolvable mystery, the Curry was worthy, maybe the Chaps manning the shop were a bit off putting.
Seating about thirty, The Chennai Restaurant is smaller than was Spice of The City, half of the unit being given over to The Chennai Express, a Takeaway, next door. Given the location of the Kitchen in the Restaurant, there is a perception that they are run separately, else there is a link around the back. Now where else have I discovered this? Plastic Tablecloths may be less Posh than Cotton, are they needed? Chennai Bar – is inscribed at the counter, there is an array of glasses but no Drinks Licence, yet?
The Waiter was now alone and full of chat. He asked if this was my first visit, retaliation to me asking if this was his first day. He used to work at The Village back in the day of the original Cafe, ah, the halcyon days…
Shorva
The Lamb Chettinad was presented in a Metal Bowl, Soup. In another day I would have been put off by this, however, this is what I had signed up for. Nobody will serve Chettinad as Dry as the Indian Mango. The Rice was accompanied by a Sweet Chilli Sauce. The Rice was Interesting, Spring Onion, Onion, Shredded Cabbage and Green Chillies had been stirred in, these had not been Fried in the Rice they were Fresh. I liked this.
The Shorva was spooned over the Rice, Eight decent sized pieces of Tender Lamb were revealed. The South Indian Aroma was Powerful. Although none of the Dark Red Smokey Chillies were present, the Classic South Indian Flavour appears to have been achieved through Black Pepper. This was a well-Seasoned, Spicy Curry, full of Flavour. If there was Coconut, it was drowned thankfully in the Masala. Aromatic and Spicy, a change indeed from the usual Hector Curry. I thoroughly enjoyed this, way better than that experienced in another City Centre South Indian Curry House. Mother’s Curry as served in the 1960s came to mind, Peppery. Every Grain Of Rice was consumed, the plate cleared, one can rarely achieve that in a Deutsche Curry Haus.
I would certainly return and have the Lamb Chettinad again, but there is also the Kadai to consider.
The Bill
£11.98. No complaints from me.
The Aftermath
The Waiter was intrigued by The Calling Card. I showed him Curry-Heute, he rates Bradford Curry as the Best in Britain, I agreed. His remark on how much I enjoyed my Curry was accompanied by a gentle slap on the shoulder. Different.
I asked about the smaller size of the Restaurant compared to the previous incarnation, there is an upstairs, for Functions with a Buffet. They should make that better known.