Hector awoke to find a text from an irate Man from Bradford. Burgers are not his thing – Exact location and time for dinner curry please. The reply was simple – Dera (433 Cheetham Hill Rd, Manchester, M8 OPF). Hector has not found Better Curry in Manchester than the Karahi that is served at these premises. The Karahi is Authentic and far removed in style of Curry from the Shorva served in the Northern Quarter’s Curry Cafes, and Superior to the Mainstream that is the Manchester Curry Mile.
From the Central Arena Travelodge it was a five minute walk to the bottom of Cheetamhill Rd. The 135 Bus is frequent, Hector was at the Dera just before the 12.30 rendezvous.
Dera used to be an evening venue, they now at Noon and served Breakfast. Whats-more, the Karahi is on offer by the Half Kilo served in various Oils. Previously the Karahi was sold only by the Kilo, fine to share but not for The Lone Diner.
The lights in the main Dining Rom were not on yet. Hector was greeted by a Chef who provided the illumination and let me have the choice of tables in the empty room. A First. I told him I was expecting Company and so he let me sit whist I waited, and waited.
At 12.45 Mein Host arrived. On spotting The Hector he was straight across to greet this Occasional Visitor and Commentator. We sat together for some ten minutes until Ricky finally texted to say he had secured a free breakfast at his hotel. I hope it was Burgers. Finally, Hector has enough background information to compose the Global Page for Dera.
Hector was talked through the preparation of the Karahi, the Degi Chargha and the Sajji. That the Staff are trained on the premises says much, how often do we hear of a shortage of Chefs in the UK? Mein Host reckoned that in two weeks they could train me to make a Restaurant Quality Karahi. Is this an invitation? I have the time.
The Half Kilo of Lamb Karahi on-the-bone was a mere £9.50 on the Lunchtime Menu. For once, Boneless Lamb was more than on-the-bone at £10.50. I have often wondered why many venues charge more for the privilege of Less Meat. A Single Roti (50p) would accompany, more than enough Bread this early in the day. A Naan was only 80p. A Can of Lemonade (70p) was also ordered, then another. There was no sign currently of the controversial Water Bottles for which one was expected to pay. No Sparkling Water either, unforgivable.
15.00 is Hector’s preferred time to break the fast. 13.00, far too early, the digestive system would be in for a shock. I admitted before I started that there was doubt as to whether I would do this meal justice, and so it arrived.
Gosh! Look at this. One can tell just by the appearance that this is Something Special. To come to Manchester and not experience this, unthinkable.
Some may be put off by the visible Oil, how else can this Masala be created? Actually, in a variety of ways given the various finishes on offer. Olive Oil is Rich, perhaps in the extreme, certainly so for this time of day. This simpler interpretation was Ghee-based Hector believes. The Buttery Flavour from the Thick Masala suggested so. No need to count the pieces of Tender Lamb, more than a man needs. How many Bones? Three, this left a Mass of Meat. Never mind counting, keep eating, Savour The Moment! The Masala had the level of Seasoning which Hector believes should be mandatory in all Curry Dishes. No Seasoning = No Flavour at all. The Spice Level was never discussed at the time of ordering, no need. The Spice was such that nobody would have been troubled, sufficient to titillate the Hector Palate.
This was truly Wonderful, the – Wow – was self-evident. The Joy of Lahori Cuisine.
The accompanying Roti was substantial in size. There was a balance that Hector had to get right. Fill oneself with Bread, leave the Meat. In the end, only half of the Roti was eaten. They go Crispy when they cool, I still prefer a Chapatti. The objective was achieved, there was not a scrap of Lamb left on the Karahi. Mission accomplished. Hector would not have to eat again today. Sheer Pleasure.
The Bill
£11.40. Where can you get Better Value than this?
The Aftermath
Mein Host introduced himself, Mr. Nauman Ali. Hector also revealed his true Moniker. The conversation continued. The attitudes of People to Curry and Restaurateurs to their customers was the core of the conversation. The people who are misinformed as to what – Curry – and even – Karahi – is. There was mutual outrage at the inclusion of Capsicum, what is this Ballast doing in any Dish from the Indian Subcontinent, it’s a plant from The New World. That some need to have alcohol with Curry was discussed at length. Nauman admitted that Restaurants which are licensed are as interested in profits from booze as they are the food. Also, and more worrying, an attitude of – once they’ve had Lager, you can give them anything. There is no such distraction at Dera.
One comes to Dera for The Food, there are plenty of Pubs in Manchester to choose from, and even a Beer Festival today.
Time to meet The Chef, a chap from Romania, who had been trained at Dera.
I promised to return as soon as possible, but apologised in advance in case The Company suggested we return this evening. Fortunately, the – C – word was never mentioned. The Company know – The Rule. The Man from Bradford returned to his Village, no Curry for him… to his sorrow, once again…