Aberdeen – Cumin Tandoori – Glad We Did…

Decision : Somewhere Familiar, or Somewhere New?
Hector spotted Cumin Tandoori (401-405 Union St., Aberdeen, AB11 6BX) during the last visit to Aberdeen in the summer, why has nobody thought of this name before? Clever. Other Sources have Cumin Tandoori as a worthwhile venue. When mentioned in passing today to a niece who is an Aberdeen Resident, Marg and Hector were informed that it’s always quiet. That suits us, it is the eve of the first part of this Season’s Madness.
Arriving before 19.30, the Lone Diner was present, our information appears to have been correct. There are five other Curry Houses within a three minute walk of here, competition must be tough.
Our Waiter for the evening greeted us as we reached the top of the stairs, the dais where the dining area is located. A Reception Area is a street level.  A table for four was cleared of unnecessary settings, it would have been strange had we been given one of the handful of tables for two. The Menus were brought by a Waitress who was keen to take our Drinks Order. The Large Bottle of Sparkling Water was ordered.
The Menu was comprehensive, many Standard Dishes to select from accompanied by the Chef’s Specials. After a long weekend in Deutschland, The Hector needed something Familiar, Reliable, Guaranteed to Satisfy. Why did I not go to the Tried and Tested?
The Menu confused. Some Dishes were priced, £15.95 appeared too often, Aberdeen Prices. Other Sources had reported the Butter Balti as being worthy of consideration. This was a Marg Curry, she studied the rest and concluded that Butter Balti Chicken would be her choice. Fearful that the Masala could be Soup-like she insisted we have Rice in a addition to her normal Chapati (£1.95). Hector was happy to therefore share a Mushroom Rice (£3.95) leaving the way open to add a Plain Paratha (£2.95). Near enough £9 for Sundries for Two Diners? This is Aberdeen. Next week in Bradford the True Value of these will be encountered once more. Inclusive!
Lamb Karahi, Lamb Aloo, Balti? Lamb Achari it would be. The description did not include the Offending Vegetable. I asked The Waiter to ensure than no Capsicum would appear. Careful note was taken. No Starters, No Poppadoms.

Seating perhaps fifty, Cumin Tandoori is very much a Restaurant, Table Cloths and a full bar. Hector thought Flock Wallpaper had died, here it was, but Black! In a corner was an image of the Eiffel Tower. We’ll always have Paris.
Dinner plates were brought, these had been heated, I can bring my Mother here. The Paratha was the first plate to be set on the table: a decent size and girth, Flaky, piping hot.

It had been scored into Quarters, not cut through, Strips could be torn. Perfect! A Tall Bucket contained the Balti, two pieces of Capsicum were the Toppings, what lay beneath? The Chapatti was placed beside Marg. Finally the Achari joined the Balti on the Hot Plate.

Look at This!
Is this not the Masala that Hector hopes for in every Curry? The Masala was Minimal, Thick, really so. The Masala was a Wonderful Onion-Mash. Let me at it.

Marg immediately commented on the healthy Mushroom content of the Rice. Taking her share there was plenty leftover. Even after The Hector Plate was covered there remained Rice that was never consumed. Still, a far cry from the Bayern Rice Wastage of 2015.

The pieces of Lamb were counted as they were spooned from serving dish to plate. Seven, eight? Three pieces were Large, there was enough Lamb, but if I was paying £15.95 for this I may have some questions.
Foostie, was the first Taste to be encountered. From where? I never did identify the source, it may have been the Lamb or the Mushrooms, there was no way I could source the Occasional Blast of Foostiness. That it disappeared in a flash meant I could eat on. The Lamb was Seriously Tender but gave off no Spice or Flavour. The Dish did seem to be Under-seasoned, however, I had just finished making the Soup for tomorrow, Hector’s Soup is Well-seasoned. Marg thought my Palate may be confused. With a Fresh Coriander Topping I wondered if I should have asked for Methi to be stirred in too? It took a few moments for the sense of Pickle to manifest itself. The Pickle Add-in looked different from the norm. It could actually be eaten. This was quite an impressive Curry, with an Ample, Excellent Paratha and Fresh Mushrooms in the Rice for a change.

This was a Most Satisfying Meal.

Unsurprisingly, Hector managed to Dip some Paratha into Marg’s Masala. This was a much Thinner affair and similar to the Classic Thin Onion-based Masala that is served Ubiquitously, even in Germany as encountered last weekend. There was a decidedly greater Kick in this Masala. As for the Chicken, time to let The Lady do the talking.
The Chapatti had to be dismissed halfway through the eating, too crisp. Fortunately there was plenty of Paratha to go round. Marg knows better than to rave about Chicken (to me) but anticipated that a Butter Balti could only work with this Meat.
My type of Curry, creamy, tasty, with a wee kick. Lots of Chicken, it went well with the Rice.

There’s More
The Dessert Menu was offered, Marg decided a Mango Kulfi (£3.95) was her heart’s desire. She also asked for Latte but was advised this was not possible. All Coffee other than – The Simple – were not available.
The Waiter then informed us that it is House Policy to offer all Diners a Drink of their choice, anything. Marg immediately asked for her favourite – Baileys. With the newly enforced strict regulations, this left Hector to finish the Sparkling Water.

Hector the Driver.

The Bill
£42.20. The Achari was charged at £12.50, the Balti at £11.95. These prices are more acceptable than the anticipated £15.95 per Dish. Still, £8.85 for Sundries.

The Aftermath
The Calling Card was given to our Waiter who said he would hand it to his Boss. Hello, Boss!
Cumin Tandoori has been in operation for some two years. Hopefully, Hector will return another time to discover another  Worthy Curry.

Update December 2017

Cumin Tandoori has been rebranded as – The Essence Indian Cuisine.

As with nearby Ambal’s, prices have been lowered according to their online menu.