Cardiff – Spice Quarter – First ever Curry in Cymru

Wales, only the third visit in sixty years. Mark has convinced The Company that we need to attend the Swansea Beer Festival, tomorrow. Les Autres are in Peterborough as last year where Excellent Curry can be found, particularly at the Punjab Balti & Pizza House. Mark has assured me that Punjabi/Lahori Cuisine is going to be difficult, perhaps impossible, to unearth in South Wales. Maybe The Hector will simply have to eat – Curry.  Research has also suggested that the City Centre Curry Houses in Cardiff know how to charge.  Please, Dear Chefs, do not make – Curry – Pretentious.

Hector is the advance party, if I am to visit Swansea, I may as well see Cardiff which I only know from the Ordnance Survey Map Extract I have used in the past to prepare The Weans for impending Doom. I at least had an inkling of where – not to stay. Austins B&B is directly across the River Taff from a Big Stadium where the FA Cup Final was played for a few years. Where is the stadium in which Joe Jordan raised the hand of his opponent in the Penalty Box to get Scotland through to the World Cup Finals? Was that the only way we could get there? (Still, Davie Cooper, Magic)

Oranges are not the only fruit

For those who are not from planet Earth, Cardiff is where Dr. Who has been filmed since it was regenerated, although the producers pretend the streets are London. When the spin-off – Torchwood – was born, there was no pretence, Cardiff it was. Hector came to Cardiff to see the Millennium Centre. Underneath, Torchwood is/was housed. The Dr. Who Exhibition, minutes around the former harbour, made my day.

This is the original 1963 Tardis.

(Photos were not permitted during the themed adventure, hence an Opperchancity to include a couple of photos taken at a Glasgow – Dr. Who Exibition from a few years back…)

The Weeping Angels: Don’t blink, not even for a second.    

To complete the day, Curry-Heute was planned to be at the regenerated Cardiff Bay where all this fun is located. Duchess of Delhi (6 Bute Crescent, Cardiff Bay CF10 5AN, Wales) is directly opposite Torchwood, alas, no.

Indonesian, Nepalese, South Indian, make up your mind, Fish Chettinad may have swung it. The Hector was not seduced by this Menu. Instead it was Bus 6 back to the City Centre, the Brewery Quarter, interesting. There was a Curry House.

Spice Quarter (8B, Brewery Quarter, Cardiff CF10 1FG, Wales) is one floor up in another post industrial conversion. Why is Glasgow’s Riverside so Spartan? Spice Quarter is quite a labyrinth inside, screens dividing what would have been a huge bare room otherwise, Sound Decor. A Young Waiter was at the serving area, he took me back to a window table. A family of four, two weans, were the only other customers at 17.15.

With Bhuna Gosht (£11.45) decided upon when reading the Menu posted outside, there was a rift in the space-time continuum when The Hector ordered Rogan Gosht (£11.45). The Chef’s Specials had a couple of possibilities, but no Interesting Gosht. Shank no more.

Mushroom and Jeera Rice (£3.65), expensive Rice, but my two Favourite add-ins. Spicy was asked for, and the usual caveat covered, not a problem. The Waiter assured me that Green Peppers would not be materialising. A Small Bottle of Sparkling Water (£1.99) was sufficient liquid.

Six more months of the Replacement Samsung then goodbye to them and Vodafone who cannot be serious. I watched the battery die, then realised my USB cable was also knackered. Where was my Sonic Screwdriver?

A respectable twenty minutes after ordering, the Rogan Gosht and Elaborate Rice were brought by the same Chap who was not exactly being rushed off his feet. He observed the Photographic Ritual.

Rogan Gosht, not Josh, Lamb understood. Ten pieces of Tender Lamb were buried in a fortunately not too Excessive Masala. The Masala was Standard Indian Cuisine, Thick enough not to offend.  Why did I not order Bhuna?

When the Seasoning hits the Hector Palate first then there is always optimism. This was not bad at all. There was Flavour, albeit Mainstream, however, it was there. The lips tingled, there was Spice. On serving, the Waiter said he would provide more Spice  if required. When he returned to make the customary check I was well underway.

Very Good, thank you.

The Spice Level is Fine.

For a Mainstream Restaurant, this is Praise indeed.

The Mushrooms were Fresh, the Cumin Seeds present, but not overwhelming, the Rice Quantity – Perfect.

The aim became to clear every grain of Rice. The final piece of Lamb was shrouded in Rice, and so it ended. That was Breakfast.  I really enjoyed that.

The Bill

£18.79. This is well above the National Average. Oh, a 10% Service Charge, why? So, no Tip then.

The Aftermath

I asked The Waiter to give the Calling Card to his Boss. He said he would.

So, my first Curry in Wales. I can be happy with this Quality, but shall continue to seek out the Curry Cafes where Desi lives.  Such venues should also be £5.00 cheaper.