The Prologue
We have visited Ostia Antica, just the twelve of us. The Men from Bradford have gone home without a Roman Curry, so has Neil. Mark and Karen arrived last night, we were briefly a Company of Fifteen.
With The Ladies in pursute of Fizzy Wine, seven marched from the Forum to the park known as Vittorio Emanuel, this is Curry Land in Roma. Hector was here two days ago, Himalaya’s Kashmir (Via Principe Amedeo, 325-327, 00185 Roma , Italia) was the venue. I said I would be back, this time mob handed.
The Mob was: Mark and Karen (Swansea), Dr. Stan (Kettering), Lord Clive of Crawley, Sir Howard (Helensburgh), Craig (The Land of Green Devil) and Hector – In Transit.
The Fish Curry (€12.50) served on Saturday was given a great review, not that the above have bothered reading this tome. This was – Word of Mouth.
Dr. Stan, Clive and Howard accepted Hector’s Rant – The Fish Curry here is Outstanding. John S. even added a comment to this Humble Blog whist we were in situ to confirm the veracity of the Curry. Good timing, John. Do a runner? I have retired.
Craig took the safe option – Tandoori Chicken (€11.00) with Rice. Not a combination I understood. For Mark it was straightforward Chicken Curry (€11.00) with a Roti. Karen ordered Palak Mutton (€12.00) with Rice. The Chaps having the Fish Curry ordered Naans to accompany, Howard taking the Keema Naan option. Mince with Fish? The Breads all appeared to be €1.50.
The Biryani on Saturday was missing the Cauliflower to give the full Vegetable Experience today it was Mutton Gobi (€12.00) for the Hector with Vegetable Rice/ Biryani (€7.50).
I was once again careful enough to ask Mein Host for Thick Sauce with the Mutton Gobi. He returned moments later to confirm – Thick Sauce – with the Fish Curry. All were in agreement, we know how Curry should be.
Hector’s Mutton Gobi and Biryani were brought first. Once again it was a case of – knowing – immediately how good this was going to be. Whatever the instructions given to The Chef, this was Classic Curry, enough Masala to be – Curry – no more. Craig did not fare too well with the Tandoori Chicken, no Sauce at all. I feared this could be the case, he ate on regardless, knife and fork in hand.
The Chicken Curry revealed what could have come Hector’s way, the Masala was much Thinner, less impressive. The Mutton Palak was – Wet – but not runny, never the most appealing Dish to look at. The Naans/Roti were all plate sized, sufficient. The Fish Curry was as served on Saturday, let The Chaps commence, but only after the Photos.
Mutton Gobi on Vegetable Biryani
Not only did I have Cauliflower today, some Potato had been included too, complementing the Green Beans, Peas and Carrots. I had the full array of Vegetables plus Meat to complete the Total Indulgence. There was a decent Quantity of Lamb, the ratio to Cauliflower acceptable. One supposes that without the Cauliflower there would have been even more Meat. The Lamb was Tender to Slightly Chewy, there was even the sense of Spice from within. Having agreed on – Spicy – there was no disappointment here. The Seasoning my have been a touch below my ideal, however no complaints from Hector, this was once again a Very Impressive Curry. That I was last to finish eating was down to the Quantity of Food before me. In the end I had to leave some of the Rice, just some.
Fish Curry
Clive was not saying much. Excellent – was an early utterance, then he simply demolished his Fish Curry. Had licking the bowl been permissible, actually, there was nothing to lick.
Dr. Stan sitting at the far end of the table was quite verbose – I enjoyed it. Howard was not having a good time. His Fish had all the Bones. It’s OK, not Indian Mango – was an early comment. His Keema Naan was Donner-like inside, Flat Pink Meat, rather than Grains of Mince which we both prefer.
A disappointing Curry, said Howard, – bones. He then made the statement that surprised us all – That was the worst Curry I have had with you. I don’t think he liked it.
Mutton Palak
Karen made short work of her Mutton Palak. The right size of portion – was her observation.
Chicken Curry
Mark knew he was expected to supply a quote: That was very good, mainstream but tasty.
Tandoori Chcicken
Craig finally abandoned the cutlery and ate his Chicken properly. He even managed to appropriate some of Karen’s Surplus Masala. At home, one would expect at least a Raita with Tandoori Chicken, here nothing. However, Craig could have asked.
Five of seven therefore were well pleased with what was served.
*
The Bill
€115.00. (£89.85) Not a bad price at all.
The Aftermath
Mein Host was congratulated on the fayre. He asked me to make comments on a well known Medium. Perhaps, I shall, however more is written here.
Two more Curry Houses between the Forum and Vittorio Emanuel.
