Marg and Hector having Curry out on a Monday evening? The New Karahi Palace (51 – 53 Nelson Street, Glasgow, G5 8DZ) was overdue a visit, Hector needed to guarantee Curry-with-the-Wow. A Monday evening? ‘Tis the 75th Birthday of Alistair Boyd, Glasgow CAMRA Stalwart, Cider-Man, Raconteur. The Social Gathering was held at the nearby Laurieston, former Glasgow POTY, Curry first.
Ayaz, Mein Host, was busy behind the counter as we entered around 20.00. I pointed upstairs, Marg prefers the ambience of a Restaurant, Ambience at the New Karahi Palace. The heating had to be turned on, Ayaz appeared to fumble with a Musical Box, thankfully no sounds emanated from there.
I had noticed that the price display boards were still blank and the illuminated sign outside was still off. I had to ask if there was a New Menu. I think I heard Ayaz say there was no New Menu, just New Prices. Let’s not go there. The rare occasions that I sit upstairs are the only times I see the Menu, a full range of Karahi Interpretations on offer. Hector would stick to his favourite: Lamb Karahi, Spicy, Extra Seasoning and Methi, on-the-bone. Here lies Perfection.
Without Menu, I would have asked for the same for Marg but Medium Spice. Marg had other ideas. Grilled Lamb Chops Karahi (£7.95), this is most certainly her Favourite, too many visits to Bradford. Perhaps it’s about time I inflicted Yadgar’s Lamb Chops Achari on Marg?
Chapattis (£0.70) are the normal Accompaniment, Marg spotted Butter Chapatti and Garlic Chapatti (£0.80), the latter had to be sampled.
A Mango Lassi for Marg and Mango Rubicon for Hector completed the Order. The Spanish Doris brought up the Drinks. Los Pollos Hermanos – I remarked when she entered the near empty Dining Room. She has no English, she may not even have been aware of the significance of her t-shirt. Who speaks Spanish? The Small Bottled Mango Lassi amused Marg who is used to the Mumtaz Bottle. The Lassi disappeared, Mango Rubicon for Marg too. No Modest Salad this evening.
The Waitress brought up the Karahi too. The Grilled Lamb Chops Karahi stood out, the Tikka Chops had the telltale Redness in the Masala, The Hector Special was Pale in comparison, no colouring here, just Raw Pleasure.
Grilled Lamb Chops Karahi
My immediate focus of interest was the number of Chops, anything more than three and there was a good chance that one would be coming in my direction. There were Four Chops.
Having received warm plates ten minutes before the arrival of the Karahi, Marg decanted.
Tender. Messy to eat. Yvonne wouldn’t have eaten them that way. I watched Marg scrape off the Thick Masala to eat the chops then use the Chapatti to scoop the Masala, Maestra. The Garlic Chapattis lived up to their description. They were presented folded. When separated a Mass of Garlic Butter was visible, this was Garlic Overload.
No Spice Level had been stipulated, it was no surprise when by the third Chop, Marg was feeling the effects. She was happy to stop. I was happy to see just the right amount of Oil collected at the base of her Karahi for reheating purposes. Tomorrow’s Lunch.
Karahi Gosht – Hector-style
Come to Hector! This Dish is Absolute Pleasure, all the criticisms of recent Pretenders were cast out of mind, this is Karahi Gosht as I have come to love it. Topped with Ginger Strips and the Chunky Fresh Green Chillies, there is Bite and Crunch, Varied Texture. The Lamb was a mix of Tender (non-Tikka) Chops and other cuts, one Sucky Bone was present. The Masala-Mash as Thick as only the Best Venues present, full of Flavour. No Ballast here, everything in the Karahi was there for a purpose. Ayaz had done us proud.
The first Dip of the Garlic Chapatti was Weird – Garlic! As much as Hector loves Garlic, this proved to be a Distraction, Butter Chapatti if ever I go down this road again.
A Portion is is Perfect, the Half Kilo – Perfection Squared. Still the Appetite is not fully restored, is The Hector fading away? Marg senses my Pleasure as I eat Outstanding Curry, first observed at The International in Bradford many years ago. She knows I would eat here every day.
Marg was worried about the Garlic as we concluded. Let no-one come near us tonight.
With One Chop Karahi in hand we went downstairs to pay.
He’s behind you – were the words that greeted us.
We’re not worthy – was the follow up. Three Chaps, Curry Connoisseurs, they must be, they recognised the Hector!
The Bill
£20.80. If this is after the price rise, no complaints.
The Aftermath
Walking to the Laurieston I mentioned that one of Dr. Stan’s former colleagues always orders Chicken Tikka Karahi. It looks Wonderful, Hector has never had it. Marg thinks I should, just for Completion.
A Laurieston Birthday Cake
Dr. Stan and The Man from Bradford we discovered later had already dined at the New Karahi Palace, their second visit in three days. The Lamb Desi Korma now comes highly recommended, a Dish which was Hector’s Staple Diet at The Village for many a year, but evidently has never been sampled at this locus. Bring it on.
Update
A Lamb Chop for Lunch.
How did Marg eat three? The Spice hit immediately, it has been a while since Hector had Lamb Chops. This was but a Soupçon, putting me in the mood. Downsman on Saturday anyone?