Curry-Heute was considered. When Steve texted yesterday Curry-Heute was confirmed. Steve’s choice of venue – Punjabi Charing Cross (157-159 North St, Glasgow G3 7DA) at 16.00. Steve had confirmed the 16.00 opening time. The Punjabi is open all day on a Friday but revert to mid-afternoon closing on a Saturday.
Hari’s hand was extended as soon as we walked in. It has been a while, but then Hari was not present on my last visit which was at the start of the year. If the Curry here is held in such high regard, why is The Hector not in attendance more frequently?
The usual table was taken, we were the first customers of the session, eight more Diners would assemble by the time we took our leave. The Complimentary Poppadoms and Spiced Onions were brought by a Young Waitress, no Menu was forthcoming. I asked if there was anything else I should try, e.g. New Dishes? Hari informed us that they may close next June, their quietest month, refurbish and produce a New Menu.
A new Starter will appear – Indian Liver Pâté – served on Mushroom – is something Hari has conceived and mastered. Liver? As Pâté yes, otherwise – No thanks. Today we had to have Keema Padora (£5.25), what remains the Punjabi Charing X Signature Starter. One to share would be quite sufficient, there is no chance of finishing a Main Course having attempted the whole. Hector was still wondering about the Main Course when Steve announced that he was definitely having – Lamb Gurmeet – (£11.95) the Hector&Hari Concept Dish – a combination of Lamb Karahi and Lamb Methi, the Ultimate Combination. It was decreed that I would be having this also, until such times I accept a Chicken on-the-bone Dish.
Three or Four Chapattis? (£0.75) – asked Hari.
Two please.
A Side Dish was mentioned, the gesture was appreciated as always, but how much Food?
The Sparkling Waters (£1.65) completed the Preliminaries.
The End of an Era?
With the arrival of further customers I failed to ask a couple of questions:
How is Bill? and – Is PJ’s/Heera around the corner closed for good?
Steve had news from Helensburgh. The Akash which had a serious fire earlier this year, has been seen advertised – For Rent. Hector will have to get to the bottom of this.
Keema Padora
The Keema Padora arrived just as the Poppadoms and Spiced Onions had been dealt with. Just how much Lamb Mince was on the Bread? Chef had not held back, this was a Huge Portion. The Spice from the Onions was still very much on Hector’s Palate, the Heat from the Keema on top of this was the Double Whammy. This was Excruciatingly Wonderful, a Test. 
The Methi content was very much to the fore, Sheer Delight. Two Quarters each, and for once I acknowledge it has to be served in this manner, Filling. I could conceivably eat a Keema Padora every day. Three years ago I did order a Portion of just the Keema – Keema Gurmeet – as a Main Course and was defeated by Volume.
Keema Padora – the Perfect Starter/Snack.
I asked for a gap between the Starter and Mains. We needed recovery time.
Hari brought The Mains, the Chapattis stood out – These are the Fluffiest Chapattis I have ever seen. They had risen, Puffy, Light, one would still be enough.
Potatoes and Cauliflower – said Hari as he placed the Side on the table.
Aloo Gobi – I replied. This is one of my Favourite Sides.
Aloo Gobi
The Lamb Gurmeet, served on-the-bone, never appears to be daunting, then one begins.
The first Dip of the Chapatti in the Oil revealed the Depth of Flavour instantly. I was concerned momentarily about the Quantity of Oil which had already collected on the sides of the Karahi, unusually this dissipated.
Lamb Gurmeet
Steve was well ahead of me, he also had most of the Bones, the Sucky Bones too. He managed to wipe his Karahi clean then return to the Aloo Gobi, Steve doesn’t get out much. I asked Steve how he found the Seasoning. He was happy, I found it to be on the Limits of Tolerance. Strange, Hector is still not totally over his recent bug, have both the Taste buds and the Appetite been affected?
Without the Starter I would have eaten more of the Chapatti and hence more of the Masala. The Tender Lamb had to be tackled as the Priority. The scooped Masala was Methi-rich, and Oily. Too much, defeat.
The Bone Count was Steve 10 v 4 Hector.
A very high standard, can’t complain. – Steve’s verdict.
A share of the Aloo Gobi had to be tackled also. This was apparently the leftovers from the Staff Lunch. Normally I would enthuse, however, the Intensity of Flavour from the Lamb Gurmeet masked all. One could only eat this sporadically and solves the mystery as to why The Hector is not ever-present at Punjabi Charing Cross.
The Bill
£31.95. It is good to share a Keema Padora, though a Couple opposite had ordered this and a Pakora. Good Luck.
The Aftermath
Intense Flavours – was my remark to Hari as we passed the Bar.
That’s how we do it here.
Long may they continue.