A Carlisle Beer Festival on a Friday, because I can
Today was the first day of Sandy’s Ale Festival at the Drover’s Rest, Monkhill, outside Carlisle. Thirteen were able to attend from Central Scotland, a Good Show.
It was only The Hector who headed straight for Curry-Heute after the return to Glasgow Central. Dr. Stan was on the same bus up the hill to Charing X but was not tempted. Back in the day…
Mia – Sugar & Spice (523 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow, G3 7PQ) was the chosen venue. Is is really six weeks since I was last here? En route I found Heera’s/PJ’s to be closed. Has it gone, or is undergoing yet another rebranding? Charing X also boasts its own – Leaning Monument.
Akhtar’s Son #2 was on duty at 20.45, his Father having done the day-shift. Only two other Customers were present throughout my stay which is the quietest I have seen this place on a Saturday night for months.
I was given my choice of tables, but chose the small table to the rear of the ground floor seating area which has become – My Spot. The Chef acknowledged me as a I sat down at the hatch in front of him. After a gap of a couple of years, this place is beginning to feel like – Home – again.
The Menu was brought, straight to the Vegetarian Section. Something serious has happened to The Hector since India, Lamb is no longer Automatic. This could be down to the plethora of Chicken that was presented in Hotel Buffets, but Lamb did appear for the Evening Buffets. I have always sought – The Interesting Vegetable – to accompany my Meat Curry, at this time I am enjoying the Diversity of the Vegetables themselves. Wednesday’s Vegetable Curry at the Ambala Deli Bar had as much Flavour as a Meat Equivalent. Something has happened.
Mixed Vegetable Karahi (£6.95) was the selection after discussing the various Vegetable Options. Vegetable Rice is still absent from the Menu, but I could not help ordering this too. How much overlap? Hector’s Bugbear Vegetable was mentioned, none please, anywhere. The Spice Rating was agreed upon.
Hotter than Medium.
Desi Medium.
I like the sound of that.
The Sparkling Water was presented unopened. Lime, the bottom of the glass had the telltale green colouring. On tasting there was no Lime, a trick of the light, or the 
design of the glass. A weird moment.
Another Waiter brought the Complimentary Poppadom and Dips, it has been a while. Spiced Onion, Mmmm.
21.00 it is still daylight in Glasgow in early May. This is when living in Central Scotland has its advantages. It has been a long time since Breakfast at the Sir John Moore, a ‘Spoons Scottish Breakfast.
The Karahi and Rice were placed before me. I have been enjoying the Vegetable Rice on these premises since the days of Cafe Salma. The Rice had to be decanted first – Peas, Potatoes and Cauliflower, how much duplication would there be? The Karahi had – Potatoes, Peas, Tomatoes, Fresh Mushrooms and Onion.
The Vegetable Karahi looked like any Lamb Karahi one would order, the Masala shrouded the Solids, no more. The lack of visible Oil suggested that this Combination could be the Healthiest Curry ever encountered. Such volume as the Masala possessed, it dissipated into the Rice. This was a – Dry Curry – but in no way lacked moisture.
The Overall Flavour impressed, the Spice was there, the contents easily digestible. The Potato Pieces had to be halved as one would do a large piece of Meat. I was loving this. The Variety of Textures in the Vegetables gave complete Satisfaction.
Son #2 asked the Customary Question. I had to rave about what I had been served. As is part of the current scene, I remarked that I have had a series of Vegetable Curry dishes in the last week, and have enjoyed them all. This and Ambala’s do stand out.
The two Fellow Diners were served Ice Cream. As always, Hector declined Dessert.
The Bill
£12.95. Cheaper than Lamb, inevitably.
The Aftermath
India had to mentioned, and the fact that in the area we visited did not serve the Punjabi Cuisine I prefer as a matter of course. It was suggested I should visit that part of the Indian Subcontinent. The fear is – I’d disappear.