New Delhi – Maidens Hotel – The Curzon Room

Hector and Marg are in India, this Day 2 of Eight Day Intensive Tour of India’s  Golden Triangle. There has been Curry-Heute already at the Excellent – Gulati Restaurant.

The afternoon took us to the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara Sikh Temple where apart from prayer, we witnessed the feeding of the thousands. Thereafter the Agrasen Ki Baoili Stepwell took us by surprise, much more than a hole in the ground.
The plan this evening was to find something completely different for dinner, Pasta for example.
Resident at the Maidens Hotel (7 Sham Nath Marg, New Delhi – 110054. India), we were advised that The Curzon Room had an Alternative Menu to The Garden Terrace where we had already eaten Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. The advantage of an Organised Tour is being able to – do the sights – with the least effort, the payback is the choice of hotel is made by the Tour Company. We are too far away from the hub of New Delhi to simply nip out for Dinner, and the Bier hiatus is best described in another reliable Website.

The Curzon Room was quiet save a couple with two young, well behaved, children and another couple who were just finishing their Meal. The Menus were brought, the order for two Bottles of Sparkling Water given. They were unable to supply the advertised Large Bottle. Bier later, the prices were ridiculous.
Poppadoms, and Dips were brought to the table, a bit of a clue. This Restaurant only sold Indian Food…. I did offer to call it a day despite being in for what was before us, however, Marg was OK with her second Curry-Heute. How many more days will Hector get away with this?

Rahra Gosht (Rs 895) – Lamb braised with fresh ground spices – was Marg’s choice. In the UK this would be described as – Lamb with Lamb Mince (Keema), we shall see. For Hector, there could only be one choice – Railway Mutton Curry – (Rs 895) – The famous curry invented on railway journey during the days of the Raj. There was a fear that Chicken and Daal would be all I would have to eat on this Trip, and here we are, two Lamb Dishes in one day. Plus ca Change.
After the Lunchtime Lesson at Gulati, there had to be Rice. Jeera Mater Pulao (Rs 295), or Peas-Rice with Cumin Seeds for those of us who speak – the other – Curry language. The Waiter confirmed that one portion would be enough to share.

Railway Mutton Curry

Since I first encountered Railway Curry, the common feature has been the presence of Baby Potatoes, an Aloo Gosht variant then? Served in a Soupy Masala the Lamb was off-the-bone. Six Large Pieces required the use of a knife to half them. Some Lamb was very Tender, some more Chewy. The accompanying Balls had me puzzled. They looked like Baby Potatoes but the Texture was different. Had the Potato been mashed then bound with Lentils? Reminiscent of Dough-balls, they were the Lesser Part of the Dish.
The Masala had a distinctive South Indian Flavour. Curry Leaves and Green Cardamom were present in the Soupy Masala, there was a Slight Creaminess too. Under-seasoned and Under-spiced this Curry was not particularly demanding. It went Cold very quickly. I’ve had way better in India, writes The Hector, at Lunchtime today!

Rahra Gosht

The Rahra Gosht had the expected appearance but surprisingly was on-the-bone. I have never seen this Dish served in this manner previously. This was Darker, Richer, Sweeter than the Masala served with the Railway Curry.
I like it a lot, very… said Marg. This was fortunate, we cannot have Marg being Curried-out on Day #2. What happened to the photo of Marg?

Marg required Coffee, Hector’s thoughts were inclined towards the Cavalry Bar in the adjacent room.

The Bill
Rs 2466.56, (£27.40) of which Rs 460 was the added tax.

The Aftermath
A Large Group arrived as we finished our Meal. We walked the few steps to the Bar, a few tables in a room. The Cricket was on, India were playing, some were excited.

India Trip 2016 – Day 2 –Hector’s India Trip – A Day in New Delhi