Hector was here at Lunchtime yesterday, only to find the place closed. Indisches Fast Food Imbiss (Barer Strasse 46, 80799, München, Deutschland) is also closed on a Monday. At least when they do open late morning, they stay open all day.
Hector arrived today at 13.00, joining one other customer. During my visit more came including an Indian family. Chicken Bhuna was what I heard when the Father approached the counter. The child had other ideas – Fleisch (Meat)!
With seven tables this Modest Cafe is exactly what The Hector seeks wherever the travels take me. One hopes that Something Special will be discovered, a New Flavour even. Perhaps twenty could be squeezed in, it was feeling full by the time I left. The First Curry was brought to the Chap who had waited longest. It looked promising in the glimpse I caught, possibly Dark and Thick.
The Menu was studied at leisure. Vegetarian, Chicken, Lamb and Beef all featured. A Fish Curry was what I had in mind, no such luck. Lamb Alu (€8.50) it would have to be.
Having seen the Bubbling Masalas, that the wait was some twenty five minutes did puzzle. A theory was formulated, suspense. A Chap came into the Cafe for a Takeaway: six bottles of Augustiner Helles from the fridge. This is Deutschland! When steel platters of Basmati were placed on my table and the family table beside me, the arrival of the Curry was heralded. 
One would eat off this Rice Platter. As is the Bayerische Way, more Rice than was required but not totally excessive. Then came The Curry. The Wean and I both received a Karahi of Meat, mine was also filled with Potato. Straining, ever so subtly, I could see that the – Chicken Bhuna – had become a Karahi of – Mixed Vegetables – Dark, Mysterious, a pity The Hector cannot approach strangers and ask if I can photograph their Meals? HECTRE – Licensed to Photo!
Shorba
One has to accept that Shorba is Authentic Curry, Menus should state clearly that this is what will be served. When in the mood for Shorba I go to the Sheerin Palace (Glasgow) where what in served is Rich in Flavour, their Kofta is also excellent. What did we have here? A Mass of Potatoes and Strips of Meat. I knew before I took the first piece of meat that this could not possibly be Lamb. Lamb does not cut in this manner, this had to be Beef, it looked like Beef, and tasted like Beef, it was Beef. Not the end of the World, but why not say so? The Potatoes were cut in a bizarre manner for Curry, Wedges. With the Shorba base they were wet, a far cry from Potatoes covered in Cumin. These were Potatoes, cooked al dente. The Theory was – had I been I waiting for the Potatoes to be cooked? More than likely. The Great Potato Debacle of 2011 flashed through the mind once more. How many Potatoes? More than a man could eat, no Potato Famine here.
The Shorba disappeared into the Rice. As the Beef and Potato had only their own Flavours, they gave nothing back. Shorba = Soup, use the Spoon. Ah, Bisto! This is when I have to write this Dish off. The Flavour was that associated with Packet Masala one buys in the grocer, once. Spice and Seasoning were non existent. Herbs? Forget it. There was nothing sitting before me that could make me accept that this was – Curry. It most certainly was not Lamb Alu.
Never before has Hector left half of what had been set before him. Note the day. There was no Pleasure, no Interest, time to go.
How much have I missed a Fisch/Lamm Chettinad at the Indian Mango?
The Bill
€10.00.
The Aftermath
A fast getaway. What to have for my Real Dinner today? Time to check out an Afghan Restaurant?
There is a Pakistani Restaurant next door, Deeba. That Hector may return to Barer Strasse one evening is unlikely, why do they not open at Lunchtime?.