When it was announced that Hector’s Haitus Horribilis should conclude in Manchester, one event was guaranteed, a visit to the Truly Wonderful – Dera (433 Cheetamhill Rd., Manchester, M8 0PF, England). In the years of visiting Manchester this has become the #1 destination for Curry, served as Hector desires it.
Craig announced yesterday afternoon that he and Yvonne would join me for Lunchtime Curry. Mags would be the fourth Diner. The 135 Bus was taken from just off Piccadilly up towards Cheetam Hill. With four of us, a Taxi was considered, at £4.20 for a day ticket, and bus stops outside Dera, Bus it was. At 12.30. we were the first customers of the day, no families with weans running up and down as Steve and Hector had to suffer on the last visit in January.
The Duty Chef was also the Duty Waiter. No sign yet of Nauman, Mein Host.
The Menu issued today was again a development from what has been experienced in the past. Karahi is what Hector had in mind, no Half Kilos or Portions were on offer, just the Kilo. Even The Hector cannot eat a Full Kilo (£21.45). Mags stepped in and she said she would eat the other half. Aloo Gosht was not on the Menu then? It could no doubt easily have been rustled up, but it was not in my interest to suggest this. Parathas (£1.25) should be the Perfect Accompaniment.
Craig and Yvonne had different ideas. Lamb Chops (£6.45) would be shared as a Starter. The Chef-Waiter advised a Portion is Four Chops, ideal. Craig chose Daal Gosht Bhandara (£6.95) not because of what was in it, but what was not. No Chillies in this Dish, instead Lentils with Lamb on-the-bone. Rice was asked for as the Accompaniment, Salad was suggested, the offer accepted. Yvonne’s selection was Chicken Chilli Masala (£6.25), the same as last time she was here, with a Roti (£0.75). From experience, one would most certainly suffice.
Tap Water was ordered along with Sparkling Water (£1.45) for The Hector. We amused ourselves whilst the Waiter transformed himself into The Chef. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan provided the background Musik. The machine must have been on Auto-play as – Allah Hoo Allah Hoo – was heard twice during our stay. Nusrat has been Immortal for nineteen years, I missed him in Glasgow by days.
There was no sign of the Drinks, the Lamb Karahi was brought first, so what happened to the Lamb Chops Starter? They came with the rest. I had to ask for the Drinks again, the Tap Water was not a problem, thankfully Dera have abandoned charging for this. The Sparkling Water was brought, taken away then returned. What was it? The taste of Lemon was there but this did not taste of Commercial Lemonade. Whatever, it was delicious.
By now Mags had seen photos of the Flat Karahi and so was not taken aback by the different presentation. The Parathas were Substantial, Flaky and Layered as they should be, we were ready to rock.
Yvonne had a Lamb Chop of the Hot Griddle before I can get the camera on them. She ate appropriately, in the – Maggie Style – Craig used a knife and fork. The chops were well cooked and well received. Both were impressed, Round 1 out of the way as they sorted their Mains. Craig’s Rice was much more than anticipated, full of Onion, Cloves and Coriander, this was more than a simple Rice Accompaniment. The Volume was also enough for us all if we wished to share, we didn’t, the rest of us knew what we had to eat, no further Challenges required.
Chicken Chilli Masala
Yvonne managed to get through her Dish a good while before the rest of us. She was happy to find Brown Meat rather than Chicken Breast, perhaps this may have better Permeability, research needed. Actually no, Hector shall continue to avoid Chicken Curry.
Yvonne remarked to Craig – This has a bite to it, not roasting hot, but too hot for you. To us all – The brown meat is much tastier than the breast. One Happy Diner.
Daal Gosht Bhandara
Craig tackled this Dish in two ways, firstly he ate from the Bowl in which his Curry was served, then he decanted half on top of the Complex Rice. We knew we were in for the Long Haul as he systematically ate his way through the Mass of Food before him. The Salad had been brought, again Craig was the only person interested in this. Craig had ensured that he had not repeated his error of a few days ago in Roma where he ordered Tandoori Chicken and Rice and ended up with a Dish too Dry.
The Lamb is cooked to perfection, wonderful.
Lamb Karahi (1kg on-the-bone)
This is my eighth visit to Dera, I know what to expect. On the last visit I tried Something Else, however, so sporadic are the days spent in Manchester, one really has to go for the Lamb Karahi.
Regular Readers know that this is my Favourite Indo-Pak Dish. It can be abused by needless Ballast, in the Best Curry Houses this does not occur. The Karahi Gosht served in Glasgow’s two Finest Curry Houses – Yadgar – and New Karahi Palace – are markedly different from each other. The Lamb Karahi served at Dera is a different Interpretation once again. Oil features more here. One can choose which Oil the Dish is cooked in. I have tried the Butter version, Very Rich, even today with the – Normal Oil – asked for, there was a Ghee Presence. The Masala was – out of this World – so Thick, so full of Flavour. Dipping the Excellent Paratha into the Masala gave the – Wow. Eating the Lamb, some on-the-bone, some Boneless was – Wow Squared. Craig had highlighted the Tenderness of the Lamb. It was melt in the mouth. I realised as I chewed that teeth were probably not even required. The Seasoning was at the top end of the Salt Scale, the Spice Level such that nobody would suffer. The Flavours were just so Intense one knew that whoever developed the Recipe that the Chefs have to follow is a Genius. The Lamb Karahi served at Dera is one of the Best Curry Experiences, anywhere, and Hector has been to quite a few places.
Mags was pacing herself. It is not unusual for her to take half of her Dish away as a Doggy Bag, not an option today.
Good choice, Hector. Mags too was loving what was slowly disappearing in front of us. Mags spotted a – Sucky Bone – on my plate and made sure she found one on the Karahi for herself. The final pieces of Lamb and Masala were divvied, Mags was finished, Craig and Hector ate on.
A new Waiter came on duty, as the Chef-Waiter had already done, he asked if there was any more he could do. I asked if Nauman would be in today. I was informed that he was at reception. Mein Host was informed of my presence and was straight down the room, behold the beard. The Greetings were exchanged, Nauman said he would speak later once we were finished.
We had all been very well served, none of us felt we had over-eaten. When the first Ale sits before us later, then we’ll know. Yvonne summoned The Bill. Nauman came to clear away the Debris.
Wonderful Curry – I said to him – but you don’t need me to tell you this.
Mags pointed out that she had finished her half Kilo before The Hector.
The Bill
£50.95. The Sparkling Water had not been charged for, the offered Salad was 95p. The Rice appeared as Masala Rice at £4.95. More Expensive, and more Rice than was required. By the time we added an appreciable Tip, honour was maintained. It is worth pointing out that Mags and Hector had a Half Kilo and a Paratha for £11.95 each. Superb Value for us.
The Aftermath
On taking the cash up to the counter, Nauman and Hector had the now customary chat.
The plans to open a Glasgow Branch do not sound as if they are on the front burner yet. I have offered my services to take Nauman around the City and look at possible locations. Ironically PJ’s/Heera at Charing X appears to be closed, this would be the size of premises comparable to what they have here in Manchester.
The forthcoming EU Referendum was brought up by Nauman, like any sensible person he is for Staying. I reminded him of the Scottish Referendum – If England votes to leave, then Scotland may well be forced to leave the UK to stay in Europe. Complicated, but this is the Scottish Nationalist Perspective. From an Immigrant Family himself, he sees no advantage in free movement of South Eastern Europeans who do not share the same Work Ethic as those originating from South East Asia. We agreed that Migration is necessary, look what the Indo-Pak Population have done for the UK. There would be no – Curry-Heute.
I had to mention India. Nauman would love to go there, but knows that unless he had a Sponsor, this would be very difficult. I related how clear it was made to us on our India Trip the low esteem in which Pakistan is held by India. I would love to go to Pakistan-Afghanistan, I can only imagine the Culinary Delights to be found there. This cannot happen.
The Final Indulgence was the photo on the Stage. My Fellow diners balked initially, however the place was empty apart from us, so why not?
