Glasgow – New Karahi Palace – Predictable, or What?

As has been written many times, the greatest pleasure in travel is the journey home. With the Diary bursting currently, the day after Poznan sees The Company undertake the monthly trip to The Staggs, Musselburgh, where the purvey of Quality Ale is guaranteed. As ever, Nigel was there to supply – The Usual Rubbish.
As soon as we boarded the train back to Queen St, Yvonne announced that she and Craig would join Mags and Hector for our Customary Curry at The New Karahi Palace (51-53 Nelson Street, Tradeston, Glasgow, G5 8DZ). The last time Yvonne set foot in these premises she did not enjoy what she ordered, Craig fared little better. Brave.
With the two optimum downstairs tables occupied, sitting near the door was not an option, Hector has been cold all week, upstairs we went. Mags knows the score and chose the seat adjacent to the heaters. The room was cool, empty, but not for long, another family joined almost immediately.

A New Lady was present and was performing the backup tasks, Doritta? We wondered if she would attempt to take the order, fortunately, Qaiser was at hand.
Mags will not be deviated from – The Best Aloo Gosht in Glasgow – Anywhere? (£6.50). Hector would stick with the Karahi Gosht (£8.00). Yvonne chose to follow Mags’ lead, this would guarantee a positive outcome. Craig was using the facilities when Qaiser took the order, Hector arranged Craig’s Chicken Karahi (£7.50). All the Curry would come on-the-bone. Chapattis to accompany, except for Craig who insists on Rice (£1.80), still.

Lamb Chops
Two Portions of (four) Lamb Chops would precede this, we were hungry, apparently.

Predictable, or What?
An incoming text from Stewart speculated that we should be at our current locus. The order was increased by another Karahi Gosht and Portion of Lamb Chops. Who would have three?
Stewart arrived in minutes, he was probably coming, regardless.

A Musik Machine played something that was Half Musik – Half Radio. The vocal interruptions were baffling. We were being invited to phone in to something dubious. The room started to warm up. The Decor still amuses, more Ice Cream Parlour than Curry House. Never be put off by the Spartan Ambience, Hygiene Legislation is strictly enforced in the UK.

The Modest Salad and Dips were only supplied when the Chops arrived, who would wish Salad when Lamb Chops stare so enticingly from the plate? Mmmmm – as a certain Doctor would say. Marinated to Perfection, Tandoori cooked Chops, Spicy, Craig was taken aback, he nibbled on the Salad.Stewart and Hector were invited to have the odd numbered Chops, we happily complied.
The final Chop had just been divvied when the Mains started to arrive, just as well the Half Kilo had been eschewed in favour of the Standard Portion. Sizzle…..

It has been a month since Hector’s last Curry here, many new venues have been visited in this period, only Yadgar matches the Quality of Curry served on these premises. Spice, Seasoning, Flavour, Minimal-Thick Masala-Mash, the Tenderest of Lamb, Sucky-Bones, Oh yes! On top of this was the chance to Dip a Lamb Chop.
Stewart was equally enthralled by the Karahi Gosht.

I starved myself all day for this, but I’m so glad. It filled my stomach, f***’n brilliant.
Hector and Stewart had one Substantial Chapatti each, meanwhile a Pile sat beside The Ladies and remained untouched. We paid £4.20 for an an unknown number.
Bloody marvelous, still the best, loads of Coriander too, yum. Mags was in Curry Heaven.

Yvonne was experiencing the Aloo Gosht for the first time, bones too which is not her norm. That was lovely, 100% better than last visit. Given what Yvonne selected last time, Hector would exaggerate this percentage further. Yvonne had more Potato than she could cope with, some came in Hector’s direction, Excellent, Vegetable Diversity.
Meanwhile Craig was eating, knife and fork in hand as ever. You take the man out of Edinburgh…
All this and Babe Station 2! How many Babe Stations does he listen to? Or is that – too?
Hotter than I would normally go. Hector had not asked Qaiser to tone it down. After many years Dining with Craig, we know his pedestrian eating pace, he is relentless. Even if a Curry is above his preferred Spice Threshold he will not be beaten. Mr. Vindaloo.

The Bill
£60.20. We went downstairs to find Ayaz, Mein Host, at the counter. Chef Rashid was congratulated once more.

The Aftermath
Marg has escaped overnight to Aber666n. Train home on a Saturday night….
Four of the five diners this evening may well appear with alarming frequency in the coming days…