Aberdeen – Ambal’s Restaurant – South Indian Cuisine with a Hint of Punjab

It is Day Five of Five for Hector in Aberdeen and the first chance to get out for a Bier since München six days ago. Temperance Rules.
There was an 18.00 rendezvous with Sandy and Graeme who have featured in Curry-Heute over the years. We have Brother-in-law Graeme (2) making his debut, it has been a while since we were permitted such activity. Meanwhile there was a trip to the beach and the opperchancity to make some Aberdeen Updates. El Andalus, Aberdeen’s only known Curry Cafe is now Mr. Kebab, whilst Manzil has been re-branded as Maya. With this week’s discoveries, it may be some time before these premises are investigated once again.

Hector arrived early at Ambal’s Restaurant (4 Bridge St., Aberdeen, AB11 6JJ), just to ensure the booking was secured. Only four other diners were present. On the Sunday between the Two Festive Days, the city centre was quiet despite tomorrow being a Holiday. Holiday? What is that?
The Menu had been studied online prior to selecting this Curry House as our Venue for this evening. Ambal’s has Pedigree according to Other Sources. Time for The Hector to make up his own mind.

The Starters looked Pricey. £8.95 for an undisclosed number of Hydrabadi Lamb Chops was superseded by Sarsoi Tandoori Seabass at £12.95. The latter was dearer than some Main Courses, however, Hector has thoroughly enjoyed such a whole Fish served in a similar manner at Indian Mango, München.
The price of Sundries in Aberdeen is something The Hector likes to moan about at every opperchancity, especially at this time of year when Free Sundries in Bradford beckon. £2.95 for a Chapatti? No way, Pedro! A similarly priced Paratha becomes almost acceptable, but £4.50 for a Keema Naan?
Hector would have Mushroom Rice at £3.95. Mmmm.
The Keg Bier of a certain nearby Brewery which will never be mentioned in these pages was on offer at £4.00 a pint, not bad for Restaurants this far north, so Hector ordered a Large Bottle of Sparkling Water also at £4.00. I have famously paid ridiculous money for Water in Aberdeen.
Lamb Chettinad (£12.95) the Classic South Indian Curry was tempting, however, the expectation would be a Shorva Accompaniment, again as  Indian Mango is plugged, this can be served – Dry. The Rogan Josh (£11.95) was described as being simmered in Bone Marrow. The last time I had this Dish cooked in such a manner it was not for The Hector Palate, Horrible. Maybe one of my co-Diners may opt for this. I should give warning. The Bhuna Gosht (£11.95) mentioned the Wondrous Word – Punjabi – this was enough for The Hector. Madurai Meen Kuzhambu (£13.95) was also a tempting Main Course, Cornish Cod with Tamarind. One day, perhaps. Maybe Graeme would choose this?
My three Co-diners arrived almost simultaneously and punctually. Given that Bier would follow it was agreed that Starters would be waved. The Chaps ordered Cobra.
Despite the warning, Sandy chose Rogan Josh with a Plain Naan. Graeme nearly went for the Madurai Meen Kuzhambu but wondered why Cod had to be brought to Aberdeen. He would replicate The Hector Curry. Graeme 2 considered something different(for him) Nalli Nihari (£16.95). When he ordered this I could not hear the first word, was it Haleem? If so, well, regrets he may have a few… Boiled Rice to accompany.
As the order was placed I asked The Waiter to have Extra Methi added to my Bhuna, no problem. Poppadoms were offered. I couldn’t be bothered asking the killer question – Are you giving or selling. This is Aberdeen, I already knew the answer. Graeme 2 and Sandy accepted the Poppadoms and Three Dips.
A Chap who would later be revealed as Mein Host brought two Pairs of Pani Puri to the table and a jug. He introduced the Pre-starter and invited us to swallow in a oner. This was necessary once he had filled the Puri with the Tamarind Based Sauce. Tangy, Excellent. This was the first time The Other Chaps had encountered Pani Puri. Hector was introduced to Pani Puri in Mrs. Majhu’s a decade ago or so ago. A Simple Snack that brought everyone on-side. None of my fellow diners had been in these premises since it was an Italian Restaurant.
With three Curry Houses in Bridge St. alone, Ambal’s has competition. What intrigues is that Curry Houses feature so prominently in Aberdeen, other Asian Cuisine is not so prominent. Mainstream best describes the scenario though Shri Bheema’s two outlets have particularly impressed in recent times. Last week, Graeme’s Dear Lady visited an Aberdeen Curry House which should be conspicuous by its exclusion in Curry-Heute. As was the experience in the years before this Blog, the staff faffed rather than serve such that one of Their Company had to go for a last bus (21.30) with the Curry as a Takeaway. For us, Robin simply walked and the term – A Robin – was born, a determination of how long one can seriously be expected to wait for a Curry.
The Waiter returned armed with Curry. The Bhuna with Methi was placed before The Hector – Gosh! If Cumin Tandoori impressed a few days ago with their Thick, Dry Masala, this was a clear winner. This was Bradford Dry, Superb! This is how a Bhuna should be served but so rarely is. Graeme’s straight version was a slightly different colour, Lighter. The Methi had increased the Level of Perfection.
The Rogan Josh had the Mainstream Masala, Thin an Onion-based, Soupy Masala. The Nalli Nihari was the expected Lamb Shank served in Shorva. I never got close enough to determine if this was the same Masala as in the Rogan Josh. The photos will not clarify this either. The camera has been taking over exposed photos of late. Euan, who we met up with later, reset the Lumix, after today, normal standards of photography should be restored.

Graeme 2, who came out with a quote that is recorded for posterity in these pages and may come back to haunt him in 370 Days – You don’t get snow these days. On his Nalli Nihari – Not the most interesting thing I’ve ever tasted but it was alright. The Lamb fell off the bone. I would have preferred it with bread.
Sandy and Graeme 2 did help each other out. When one adds Rice to Shorva the Masala simply disappears. Graeme2 had chosen not to decant his Rice into the Shorva. With Bread, this can be a very Splashy affair. The few times I have opted for Nihari it has been – Fine – but it is difficult to see how this Dish would ever be – Wow!
Too salty for me – was Sandy’s verdict on the Rogan Josh. I had to inform him that Salt is possibly the most important Ingredient in Curry. He should never visit Erlangen. Normally Hector would have asked to taste, not tonight. Graeme and Hector were having Echtes Bhuna.

The sensible Portion of Mushroom Rice was spread across the plate. This looked Worthy. In Glasgow/Bradford there would be Chapattis to accompany, not at £2.95 a pop. A wee bit more Salt and Spice would have given the Bhuna Gosht – The Wow. This was approaching – The Outstanding. Hector is being hyper-critical. Had I been served this last week in Deutschland I would be waxing lyrical. This is Scotland, Expectations are higher. This was an Excellent Curry, easily the Best I’ve had outside of Glasgow/Bradford in some time, perhaps years. The Lamb Portion was Sufficient, the Meat was Tender and there was a hint of it actually giving rather than simply taking Flavour. I was too busy enjoying the Curry to count The Bits. Thick with Methi, the Herb Experience was to the fore.
Across the table Graeme appreciated his straight Bhuna Gosht – Mine was delicious. No complaints whatsoever. He should have had Extra Methi.

The Bill
£99.68. Possibly £24.00 of this was Cobra.

The Aftermath
Cash sorted it was time to introduce myself.
Madras is where the staff at Ambal’s originate. This business has been in operation for some two years. Mein Host related that as he is married to a Scot and had to do the Authentic Cooking at home, he may as well open a Curry House.
I had to congratulate him on serving the Bhuna how I believe it should be. I raised the matter of Lamb Chettinad. He agreed that it would normally be served with a Shorva-stye Masala. On showing the unbeatable Indian Mango version he stated that this was possible.
February 13 is the next scheduled visit to Aberdeen. The challenge has been set.
This is a venue to which Hector will most certainly return.