It has been raining this week in the West of Scotland, but not as much as it has in the northwest of England. Hector was sent photos of Nice & Spicy (Lancaster) under water. Hopefully they will be open for business at the end of January.
With a rain shower at an annoying level as I left Glasgow Central, it was deemed to be too far to walk to my intended port of call, instead The Chennai Restaurant (52 Oswald St, Glasgow G1 4PL), a mere fifty metres 
from the train station became the Venue of Choice. A reliable Curry Blog reminded me that the Lamb Kadai had caught the eye on the previous visit.
Possibly the same smiling Waitress who greeted The Hector two months ago showed me to a table for two mid-room and gave me the Menu. It was 16.35. Before The Hector had time to peruse what was on offer a Waiter approached and asked if I was ready to order.
The Lamb Kadai (£8.49) had been located – Boneless lamb pieces cooked in a traditional kadai on a very high heat with fresh tomatoes, onions, capsicum, ginger, garlic, fresh herbs and spices. With the exception of The Unwelcome Vegetable, this ticked Hector’s boxes. I asked for the Capsicum to be excluded. What to have with it? I asked if the Sauce was Thick or Thin, and what I should have with it. Thick and Rice was the reply. A Mushroom Rice (£3.99) was chosen. The Waitress brought the Sparkling Water.
Oswald Street is in the heart of Glasgow, but on the wrong side of the tracks. Despite the traffic passing outside, footfall on this street is minimal. Hector was The Lone Diner. The Reader may consider this City Centre Venue as a likely place to get a seat.
The Chennai Bar was equipped with glasses for all types of Drinks, still no sign of a license.
12 Minutes Later
The Waitress brought the Curry and Rice. The Rice was Substantial, a Large Portion with Mushroom and Onion present. This was spread across the plate. The Curry looked Peely Wally, but then Hector has recently raved about Namkeen Karahi which was not dissimilar. The Masala was far from Shorba, Thicker than that which formed the Lamb Chettinad on my last visit here. The Meat and Masala were decanted, hang on….
Excuse me, what is this?
It’s mushroom.
No, the Meat, I asked for Lamb.
The whole lot was taken away.
7 Minutes Later
A Fresh Bowl of Mushroom Rice accompanied the Lamb Kadai. The appearance was the same, this was definitely Lamb. I counted eight pieces initially, but unearthed more, double figures of Good Sized Lamb, no skimping here. The Lamb was Delightfully Tender but gave off no Flavour. Everything would depend on the Masala.
Under-seasoned and under-spiced, one Cardamom. There was not a huge amount of Flavour emanating from this Masala. The Rice had absorbed most of the Masala so the Dish so this was not Soup. Large Pieces of Onion had been used as Ballast, just as well I had asked for the Capsicum to be withheld. With Onion also in the Rice, one had to wonder just how much Onion The Chef expected his customers to digest?
What little Flavour there was felt as if it had originated East of the Indian Sub-continent. Far from being Unpleasant the thought did pass through the mind … if this Blog had a Scale of Blandness, then this Curry would feature.
If one is dining here, the Chettinad has way more Flavour.
The Bill
£13.07. The Sparkling Water was only £1.09. This made up for the rather pricey Mushroom Rice.
The Aftermath
No Calling Card was issued, they have one. The Waitress, still smiling, escorted me to the door.
There was no further mention of the Chicken Curry.
Update – Six Months Later
June 2016, Chennai appears to have gone.