Santander – Taj Mahal – The First Spanish Curry-Heute

Spain, not a country Hector has visited often. Hector’s Horrible Holidays are usually East of the Greenwich Meridian. Mr. O’Leary was kind enough to fly us to Santander for a reasonable sum.

Marg and Hector have been in Northern Spain for four days, we have sampled Tapas galore. Somehow we have managed to miss out on Paella, there is time, but we will be far from the sea after this Blog entry. It is time for some Real Food, in Santander there is only one Curry House, the Taj Mahal (Santa Lucia, 46 bajo, Santander, España). Having previously checked out the location, there was confusion as to the name of the venue – A Taste of India – is what other sources call this locus Entering the empty restaurant at 20.00 we were greeted in English and allowed to choose any table. The Waiter handed us Menus which clearly said – A Taste of India.

The language of Curry is International so there was no problem in identifying the Dishes. By a process of elimination we translated – Gambas – as Lamb, though Lamb did appear in its own right for some dishes. [The Curryspondents have firmly informed Hector otherwise!]

Marg announced quickly that she was having Gambas Karahi (€9.00), a Garlic Naan (€2.30) would accompany. This put The Hector in a spot, have the same, or for the purposes of covering another Dish, choose something different? Gambas Bhuna (€9.00) was considered, then I realised I had skipped the page where the Baltis were listed. Lamb Balti (€8.00) and a Mushroom Rice (€4.50) it was.

The Waiter returned, after the Capsicum Debacle in my last Curry Outing, I was taking no chances.

Do you use Capsicum in your Curry?

There was a definite – No – in his response.

The Waiter described the Karahi as having – Medium Spice. Marg was happy with this. The Balti could come as Spicy as I liked. Madras? – suggested the Waiter. More Spicy – was my request. This could prove to be interesting, in Europe, the Chefs can be timid when adding Spice. One mustn’t shock The Locals.

Nothing much has happened in the four days we have been in Spain. Andy Murray has won Wimbledon again, and as we dine, Teresa May has become Prime Minister.

There was time to take in the surroundings. The rather obscure entrance gives way to a Bar Area, then one reaches the Dining Area, some of which has been partitioned. The room is Spacious, the tables well spread out, one would not be sitting on top of fellow diners, were there any. Eventually a couple did enter and sat the other side of the Partition.

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The Sparkling Water took a time to arrive, the Waiter had to go out and get more, just as well it was quiet. The Drinks were served, Ice and Lemon, Marg’s Water was poured for her.

On the wall beside us was a photo of the actual Taj Mahal taken in 1994. The avenue leading to the Mausoleum was more heavily wooded than today, quite a difference.

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The order was assembled at the hatch and brought over. Two Negatives hit home immediately. The Lamb Balti was – Soup, the Lamb Karahi had pieces of Capsicum protruding from the Masala. I could have asked for a Dish with a Thick Masala, the Bhuna possibly. Subconsciously perhaps I just wanted to sample what is served as – Curry – at the Taj Mahal.

Capsicum aside, Marg’s Lamb Karahi looked Pretty Good, the Masala Mash was a Authentic as one would receive in any Punjabi Restaurant. The Capsicum was Minimal, the Pieces cut Small. This was not the Onion and Capsicum Stir-fry that too many venues pass off as Karahi.

The Naan was not particularly Large, nor was it Soft. Not Wonderful.

Marg counted Seven pieces of Meat which she initially described as – Tender – and later refined as – Dry.

It looks Sweet, don’t ask me how I can tell – was my enquiry. A slight Sweetness was confirmed.

A crunchy kind of sauce with vegetables – was Marg’s description. Was that the Dreaded Capsicum providing – The Crunch? Time for The Hector to have a Dip.

This Gambas Karahi (sic) was less Spicy than I would have ordered, however, it was clearly a Worthy Creation, if by some strange alignment of the planets I ever find myself back in Santander, this is the dish I would order, without.

The Mushroom Rice looked splendid. There was enough to give Marg some, another source of her – Crunch? Onions and Fresh Green Chillies were also mixed through. €4.50 is a lot to charge for Rice, especially when a Main Course is only €8.00.

Seven pieces of Tender Lamb were decanted from the Karahi, why was this a Balti? Enough Soupy Masala was spread over the Meat and Rice to make a Reasonable Curry. The Kick was Significant, the Seasoning was spot-on. The Masala had an Oily appearance, the Thinness possibly down to Blending. This Dish may not have looked the part, it was winning me over. The Lamb was very Regular. I know nothing of Spanish Butchers, but in the UK, one only has Lamb this Perfectly Cut if it is Frozen. The Meat was Tender towards Chewy, and sadly had not been cooked in Spice. This was very much Meat and Sauce, Strangers until moments before.

I ate on, the combination of Masala and Rice proved to be Most Satisfying, it was – Curry. This may not be the Curry I would have hoped for, no doubt the majority of Curry Houses would present this as their norm. It is what I found in India. I have had much worse experiences in Europe. I can forgive the Masala Soup as in the end, the Flavours emerged.

The Lamb Karahi was Sound!

The Bill

€27.50. £23.42 at the very poor exchange rate thanks to those who voted for Brexit. Sparkling Water is not charged at anything like the rip-off prices seen in the UK.

The Aftermath

The Calling Card was given and the Website described. I asked the Waiter what the preferred name was for the venue. Taj Mahal was his very clear response. He informed us that they have been here for fifteen years. A Very Pleasant Chap, there had to be a photo.

As we departed the large photo of the Taj Mahal at the entrance amused, what no scaffolding?

FYI – The Taj Mahal is closed on Tuesdays.