Last night after an excellent visit to AleBrowar – Gdynia, Hector had the wherewithal to check Google Maps. Behold a Curry House! Not only that, a photo showed a Magnificent looking Dry-Thick Meat Curry. After two disappointing Curry Experiences in Gdansk, The Hector did not believe that the Baltic Ports of Polska could not serve up Quality Curry.
Howard met Hector on the train from Gdansk as it passed through Sopot. After three days we are getting our bearings. Sopot too has a Curry House as does the northern extremity of Gdansk, both of these have potential, next visit.
With hindsight we should have alighted one stop before Gdynia Glowny, it was a ten minute walk to the Taj Mahal (Antoniego Abrahama 86, 81-001 Gdynia, Polska). Taj Mahal opens daily at Noon, I had verified they were open before leaving Gdansk.
An Asian Gentleman greeted us a we entered, I deduced he was Mein Host, The Chef or both. It was a Young Local Chap who who serve us, and serve us he would. After days of a developing Waitress-Misogyny it was good to have a conversation. The photo I showed on the Replacement Samsung was indeed identified as Bhuna Gosht (36 Zl), Hector claimed this Dish.
Howard could have played – Safe – but was willing to take a – Risk – with the Mutton Karahi (44 Zl). Green Peppers and Onions were listed as Ingredients. Those who follow this Blog will have read the Curry-Heute Misadventures, the Big Blobs of Onion and Capsicum served in essentially a – Stir Fry – nothing like a Punjabi Karahi. RuBaRu in Bydgoszcz was the last time any of The Company dare order a Karahi in Polska.
To accompany we both ordered Aloo Parantha (10 Zl).
The Spice Level was outlined by our Waiter. They offer three levels of Spice: Spicy, Very Spicy and Insanely Spicy. We agreed on Level 2.
Complimentary Poppadoms and Dips were brought. The Waiter took the time to describe each – Tamarind from plums – well maybe not. He also described the Poppadoms having embedded – Lentils – not Cumin Seeds then?
For much of our visit we were The Lone Diners this MondaylLunchtime. A Lady did eventually arrive. Another Chap entered, walked the length of the room and departed. Could he not have looked through the window?
The karahi were presented on the same candlelit dais as seen in Gdansk in the last two days. Normally I would eat directly with Bread from the karahi, today decanting felt appropriate.
Bhuna Gosht
The anticipated Dark, Thick Masala was far from the Red-Creamy Masalas encountered in Wroclaw and Poznan in the first days of this Trip. Two days ago I looked at a Fish Tikka Masala and saw potential which did not bear fruit. Surely not another disappointment?
The Parathas were Thin, as Thin a Stuffed Paratha as I have encountered. Served quartered, there was a slight flakiness, the final parts had gone crispy, not the best.
The Topping of Fresh Coriander, raw Onion and Ginger Strips was set to one side of the plate. The Masala was scooped with the Paratha, a Curry! Fourteen pieces of Mutton were counted at the start, I revised this upwards later. Some Meat was decidedly Tender, less than half was Chewy. Spice Level 2 was quite sufficient, Seasoning was not an issue. This was very much an Indian Curry unsurprisingly not dissimilar from those experienced in India earlier this year.
The Waiter came across to ask the Customary Question. We were both enjoying our meals.
Mutton Karahi
The Mutton Karahi was only distinguishable by the absence of Onion Topping. I could see some of the Dreaded Ballast protruding through the remarkably similar 
Masala. Fortunately the Capsicum was Minimal and in small strips. The feared Onion and Capsicum Overdose was therefore not an issue with this Karahi, finally a Euro-Chef who knows what Karahi is. A Soupçon of Masala came my way, there was a slight Tanginess, a sufficient difference, the Mughlai Gravy. The Mutton Karahi may well have been the better of the two.
Howard had a few words –
A mix of very soft and more chewy Lamb. Excellent level of spice, difficult to ascertain the background flavour, but onions, garlic and ginger were evident. The Paratha was good, and overall a decent Curry.
The Bill
129 Zl (£27.09) Thanks to Brexit, exactly what we would pay for Curry with Soft Drinks in Glasgow.
The Aftermath
The Waiter was given the Calling Card and shown The Blog. He marvelled at the size of the Naan on the Homepage (Omar’s Balti House, Bradford) and wondered how big a Tandoor it would take to produce this. He then asked where the Best Curry was to be found. When München was mentioned in the list he asked exactly where. He was told.
Next time in Gdynia there will be a return to Taj Mahal.
