A day out touring the Brewpubs of Hackney should naturally conclude with Curry, in Crawley. Hector hoped to visit The Downsman which is Crawley’s Finest, alas Lord Clive believed it would not be serving by the time our complex train arrangement returned us to the New Town. A quick phone call confirmed this.
Blue India (59 High St., Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1BQ, England) is the nearest to Crawley Station. It was 22.30, not late in the traditional sense to go for Curry. The last three customers occupied the secluded table next to the Bar which Clive, Maggie and Hector were allocated back in November. We were permitted to sit opposite, just as well, a single Bacon Roll was all we had eaten today. Who eats one Bacon Roll?
The Railway Lamb (£11.95) was the choice last time, since then I have enjoyed a Railway Breakfast in India. Desi Karahi (£7.95) was a possibility. Gurka’s Revenge (£8.50) – Tender Pieces Of Grilled Lamb Or Chicken in Garlic & Chilli Sauce. Hot And Spicy Full Of Flavour – had a Two Chilli rating.
Tonight there had to be something different. By different, I mean in – The Hector Style. I would ask The Waiter to recommend a Dish which would have a Thick and Minimal Masala. Why has it taken me so long to learn to ask for – Thick – Masala as well as Minimal? No answer required.
Clive returned to his roots – Chicken Dhansak (£6.95) – A Parsee Dish. Sweet & Sour With Lentils, Pilao Rice and Keema Nan (£2.95). Once again, Clive and I were puzzled by the description of a Dhansak as – Sweet & Sour.
Thick Sauce, no Capsicum.
Spicy?
Yes.
Gurka’s Revenge it was, accompanied by Mushroom Rice (£2.95).
Chicken Dhansak
The Chicken Dhansak is one Curry that The Hector is never going to order, such is the joy of dining in company we get to see a range of Menu Items. What came was far too – Soup-like – for Hector but Clive, and others, are happy with this style of Curry.
The Naan was a Decent Size and the occasional bit of Flakiness was testimony to the well-fired exterior. Burnt Bits can be Tasty. The Mince content was Donner-like which, with Parathas, sadly appears to be The Norm. One still hopes for Separate Grains of Lamb Mince, once experienced, never forgotten.
This is one of the best Dhansaks I’ve ever had. – declared Clive. This is very good, a balance between sweet and spice. This one has some fire in it as well. So no mention of – Sour – then.
I have accompanied Clive when he made a similar declaration. The – Search – facility in this Blog (right column) reveals where – Peterborough – comes up, the venue is no more.
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Gurka’s Revenge
Visually, one has to admit that this Randomly Titled Dish had me won before I started. When Hector sees a Masala as Thick as this, the salivation process kicks in, instinct. The Masala was enough to cover the Lamb which somehow had been cut into Long Strips. Lamb can be cut this way? At times like this one questions if it is actually – Lamb, as Beef tends towards this type of carving.
Spread over the sensibly sized portion of Mushroom Rice, this was exactly what the Hector needed at 23.00 this Saturday night, here we go.
Chopped Green Chillies were the source of the Ferocious Kick, the Long Red Chillies added a bit more but were mostly decorative – IMHO. Nature’s Sprinkler System became active on the top palate. I do not know why people say – It’s too Spicy. The other well worn Cliche – You cannot taste anything when it’s this Spicy – may have some merit. I was able to confirm that the Strips were in fact – Lamb, how often does one experience this distinctive Flavour? I can also report that the Gurka’s Revenge was Under-Seasoned and would have benefited from an additional Sprinkling of Herbs – Methi, for example.
There was nothing here not to like, but the Dish did fall short of Spectacular. A greater familiarity with The Chef and who knows what we could concoct together?
The Bill
£27.80. This included a 750ml Bottle of Sparkling Water.
The Aftermath
Clive wished to pass on his regards to The Chef.
The Chef has already left. – said The Waiter.
We thanked The Waiter for taking us in, we had kept him back a half hour beyond the normal closing time. Flexibility must endure. He told us that they like to be away before the Pubs close, they do not need the Business of those who go for Curry so that they can drink more Lager. It also annoys those who are already there trying to have a civilised meal.
Perhaps if Pubs opened all night then this could be avoided?
Clive and Hector were in the dog house. Marg and Maggie were on an even later train back from their day in the West End, a dog needed let out. There was nothing else for it, Dark Star – Revelation – a few doors down at the Brewery Shades.
Musicals, aye right.
