Who’s Counting?
Craig, Yvonne and Mags announced last night that they would be joining The Hector for Curry-Heute this Lunchtime. Today marks another Special Day in the six year history of this Blog – Five Million Hits. My thanks to Curryspondent Ed for pointing this out, I was busy writing up Polish Curry Reviews when the moment passed.
Buddha Lounge (Dluga 18/21, Gdansk, Polska) is the other City Centre Curry House in Gdansk. Could it be better than the not-so-impressive Curry served to Hector at Masala yesterday?
Entering this Sunday Lunchtime at 12.30 one table was occupied, no staff were present, a Photo Opperchancity.
A Young Chap invited us to choose any table, The Ladies were already doing so. Three days ago, The Company was quite surprised at the quality of Curry served in the Buddha Lounge in Wroclaw. The first thing I did was ask if this was part of a Restaurant Chain. The Young Waitress assured me that it is not. Logic still suggested otherwise, however, when we saw the Menu we had our doubts.
The Indian part of the menu was Minimal. Again, Chinese and Thai Cuisine were on offer. In search of – The Mild – I thought Craig might be tempted, but no, Chicken Tikka Masala (39.90 Zl) it would be. Yvonne was all for having a Chicken Vindaloo (39.90 Zl) when she spotted the Three Chillies.
How could a Curry in Europe ever be – that Spicy? I asked her.
Yvonne recalled a Berlin Curry cooked by a Glasgow Chef and decided to match Craig.
Mags, who seeks Aloo Gosht everywhere decided to drop her standards and chose an out of character Butter Chicken (39.90 Zl). With no Meat for forty eight hours, Hector had to go back to Lamb – Mutton Rogan Josh (46.90 Zl) it had to be. The Three Chilli Rating was not putting off The Hector.
The wait was decidedly short, never a good sign. Craig was taken by the Presentation of his Chicken Tikka Masala on the high stand heated by a tea-light. Hector thought otherwise.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Both Craig and Yvonne were impressed by their Dish, – Delicious – was echoed. I noted an Onion-rich Masala, suitably Thick and not dissimilar to the Masala whose appearance at least impressed yesterday. The Meat Quantity was Significant. And so the Positives came across the table, two very Satisfied Customers.
A thick mass. – said Craig. A wee bit of heat, masses of Chicken.
Yvonne confirmed this but later added – I liked the flavour, it could have been hotter.
This is as nice a Curry as I’ve had. – concluded Craig.
I don’t know what Mags was thinking at this point, the four of us have been to the Very Best of Curry Houses in Many Lands. I found it hard to believe, especially when I was permitted to sample a Soupçon. I have to trust my Co-diners, and have even permitted the appearance of the fatuous adjective.
Butter Chicken
Those who order this dish should know what to expect. Indeed a Mass of Chicken in a Soupy Masala was set before Mags. This was remote from the style of Curry we demand in Glasgow–Bradford–München–Manchester. In the end Mags accepted her lot and quite enjoyed it.
It was a bit soupy, but the taste was really ….– one appearance is enough.
Mutton Rogan Josh
Whilst Craig was enthralled by the Karahi presented on a stand, all four Dishes were served with the Curry Arrangement served on the Plate with Rice from which we were expected to eat. In what way was this Hygienic? I removed mine immediately.
One instinctively knows shite when one sees it. That I literally saw much more in the hours afterwards should set the alarm bells ringing. If Curry had this effect on The Hector then The Diet that is recorded in these humble pages could not be written. I had absolutely no problems in India earlier this year, the last time recorded was the Indian Garden (Kirkwall, Orkney).
Take a Tin of Cream of Tomato Soup, add a ridiculous amount of Chilli Powder, boil some Meat et voila!
What sat before me was NOT Curry, this was not a Masala, unless the jar it came from says so. If this Rogan Josh was prepared by a Chef then he should be well ashamed.
The Thinness of the Shorva meant a Spoon was required. The Meat and Sauce had been strangers until a few seconds before serving. Had a Chef even turned up today?
The Spice Level was Ridiculous, any Idiot can chuck in Chilli Powder and make a Curry Hot. Fortunately I’m not bothered by what others regard as OTT. However, excatly what had I been given?
To maintain the consistency of Curry-Heute, The Blog, the Meat was cut Small and was plentiful. The Seasoning was on a par with any Tin of Tomato Soup. Indeed, Tomato Soup is how the Dish tasted. There was absolutely NO enjoyment to be had by eating this so-called Rogan Josh.
Shockingly Poor!
Dr. Stan joined us for Coffee.
The Bill
206.20 Zl (£43.26) This included Water, various, plus Dr. Stan’s Coffee.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was left, once more, who was there to talk – Curry – with?
On our way back from Gdnyia this evening I spotted Taj Mahal, a Rated Curry House on Google Maps. There is a Photo of a Lamb Dish with as Dry-Thick a Masala as one could hope to find. Just to prove that my constitution is as as strong as I claim, I shall be there tomorrow, and so will Howard.