A week in España and only one Curry. There are no Curry Houses in Salamanca which is perhaps just as well because Hector and Marg would have been ordering – Gambas – and wondering why we ended up with Prawns. The Curryspondents have set us on the right path to Lamb – Cordero. Salamanca needs a Curry House, Hector cannot live by Paella alone, too Spanish.
Many Sources assured me that there would be ample Curry to be had in Madrid. Hotel Liabeny is located seconds from Puerto del Sol and therefore just north of the Curry House Cluster leading down to Lavapies. Soon after we had checked in we were off in search of Proper Food.
One would be tempted to say spoiled for choice, but as I have next to no experience of Spanish Curry this could be premature. Walking the length of Calle de Lavapies we passed one, two, three, four…the exteriors were photographed, most were open even though at 17.30 it was far too early for Spaniards to be out – to dine. The Menus are displayed outside in English-Indian, the price of a Main Course is typically €8.00. Some venues only had Set Meals posted, we were searching for something Punjabi. Staff were acting as half-hearted Touts at some venues as they sat on the pavement adjacent to doorways.
Sonali Indian Restaurant (Calle de Lavapies, 34, 28012 Madrid, España) had Lamb Karahi, in we went. We were The Lone Diners. A table for two was taken at the rear of the Curry Cafe which probably sat about thirty if ever full. The Waiter, who would later be revealed as Mein Host, brought the Laminated Menus.
It was not yet Bier o’clock and so we stuck to Agua con Gas at €1.50 for a half litre bottle. A Complimentary Poppadom with Mint and Tamarind Dips arrived soon after.
For Hector it had to be Lamb Karahi (€6.90) with a Keema Naan (€2.00) and an Aloo Gobi €4.00). The latter was in the Vegetable section, the price suggested a Side, we shall see, literally.
Marg went back to her favourite – Chicken Butter (€6.50) with Mushroom Fried Rice (€3.00). She expected the Butter Chicken to be Soupy and so knew Rice would be a better option than her customary Chapatti (€2.00).
Google Translate had been set up before we had entered – Salsa espesa y sin Capsicum. This instruction was shown in Spanish and spoken in English, – Thick Sauce and no Capsicum. Accepted.
Mein Host returned as we were finishing the Poppadom with a Menu. They were out of Keema. Paratha (€2.50) please – I said without consulting the Menu. I had actually wanted a Paratha but had ordered the Keema Naan just to see what came. As Curryspondent Ed has said in the past, the things Hector does for the benefit of The Reader.
Chicken Butter
The Chicken Butter looked exactly as one would expect, the Metal Bowls did not look Large but would prove to be deceptive. The Mushroom Rice looked Wonderful, but we agreed the Mushrooms came from a Tin.
The Rice was shared, more than enough for two. Spring Onions were present too, this was a Decent Accompaniment.
Marg counted seven pieces of Chicken but then said she had to cut them as they were all Large. Marg remarked upon the Whiteness of the Chicken as she cut the pieces. Regular Readers know what is coming next – Chicken, the Impermeable Meat, lets no Flavour in. I watched some Oil collect on the edges of the Masala, the Butter Chicken looked as Good as one would get anywhere.
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Sweet, creamy, lots of Chicken – was Marg’s commentary.
Very good, that was lovely – was her concluding statement.
Lamb Karahi
The Masala gave the game away, in what way was this a – Karahi?
Without Capsicum – said Mein Host as he placed it on the table. The Masala was the Standard Indian Masala, it looked as if a Thickener had been applied to make it more Viscous. Decanting the Lamb on top of the Rice, I counted thirteen pieces of Lamb, it most certainly was Lamb. The Full Flavour of the Tender Meat emerged, the irregular cut also confirmed the veracity of the Meat as my mind drifted back to the Perfect Cubes in Santander. Ah, Bisto! The first taste was very familiar, actually – Vesta – came out of Hector’s mouth on the first tasting. I was not invited into the kitchen, however, I believe the Spices for the Masala were from the Boxes of Mixed Spice one sees in Asian Grocers. There was no Great Kick, the Seasoning was below what one hopes for.
Aloo Gobi
The Aloo Gobi was everything it should be, Dry with a Thick-Minimal Masala. Again I watched the Oil collect at the sides. The Flavour from the Cauliflower was Immense, cooked to perfection. Under-seasoned was my first reaction until I tackled the plentiful Potatoes, here was the Source of the Salt, tremendous!
The Paratha arrived late, it was a Sensible Size, Layered and Flaky, as good as any Paratha I have enjoyed. Marg too was impressed, we could not finish it, we couldn’t even touch it for a while after it arrived. Do not come to Sonali and miss the Paratha.
By now Hector had his Dream Spanish Meal before him, plentiful Rice, Vegetables, Paratha and Tasty Lamb, the Masala was spooned on top as and when. The Combination of all the Components created a Synergy. Hector was eating Curry, in Spain. I was a Very Happy Old Hector.
The Bill
€25.90. (£22.06). A Fine Price for a most enjoyable meal, and half what we paid in Salamanca last night for dinner.
The Aftermath
Now to go back to Hotel Liabeny to change my t-shirt.
Shots were offered, Bailleys was mentioned, also a Local Liquer. The offer was declined, we had to go back out into the sunshine.
The Calling Card was given to Mein Host and the Curry-Heute Website shown on the Replaceable Samsung which is driving me nuts.
We discussed the Curry, I congratulated him on the Paratha and the Aloo Gobi. Marg at this point went upstairs to use the adequate Servicios. Mein Host was intrigued by my Curry Eating. He said he had worked in the World of Spanish Food and considered it to be all – Grills, we were talking the same language – Curry. He has plans to open another Venue, I informed him that Salamanca has no Curry Houses, he had never heard of Salamanca. I have planted the seed.
The Ritual Photos were completed, a very fine Chap, who needs to discover what Karahi actually is.
The other part of the – V- which makes up the Lavapies Curry House Cluster is on Calle del Ave Maria.
Hail Mary indeed, look what I found…
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I also spotted a venue claiming to serve Punjabi Curry, when does it open?
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The Sonali Indian Restaurant Menu (extracts)
