With the Akash in Helensburgh still being refurbished after the fire earlier this year, Hector, Marg and Eleanor took the opperchancity to visit a relatively new outlet in Dumbarton. Bollywood Lounge (61a High Street, Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire, G82 1LS) is located in the premises previously occupied by One Up, one of two Curry Houses in Dumbarton, other takeaway venues also exist.
The Mystery of a third Indian Restaurant – Haveli – at Dumbarton Central Station continues. This former Pub was re-branded over a year ago, there has been no sign of activity since.
Eleanor was stood at the top of the stairs, as Hector arrived bang on the 18.00 rendezvous, unsure if a table had been booked or for how many. On entering, the number of Diners impressed immediately. A large group occupied the middle of the Dining Area, others sat at the window booths which have been retained since the days of One Up. The walls have been stripped back to the bare brick giving the room a Brighter, more Contemporary Ambience. Mein Host instructed a Waitress to combine two small tables on the left of the room to create a space for the three/four. Marg was twenty minutes late, traffic.
Hector had already studied the online Menu and had made some interesting observations. Chicken appears to dominate the Menu, many dishes also feature the dreaded Capsicum. The Hector might order a Chicken Curry one day but will always cringe when the Green Pepper Ballast appears in any Curry. For the record, last night’s Dinner at Hector’s House was Chicken with Capsicum, but not a Curry.
From the Chef’s Specialities, Lagan Ki Boti (£8.95) – Try a little tenderness, melt in the mouth diced lamb simmered slowly with ginger, chillies and our chef’s secret garam masala with exotic punjabi spices – devine! (sic) – was already Hector’s Choice, a Paratha (£2.50) to accompany. Lagan Ki Boti is not a Dish one encounters often. This Dish featured last year when Marg and Hector returned to Shimla Cottage in Coatbridge. The given description was very similar to that given above, I would have to establish if the two restaurants are connected.
Eleanor chose the Dish above this on the Menu: Lamb Adhraki (£8.95) – Chicken or lamb cooked with coriander & freshly chopped ginger – being with Hector, Eleanor admitted she had to choose Lamb. Basmati Boiled Rice (£2.50) would accompany. We were on the verge of ordering Vegetable Pakora (£3.95) when Marg arrived, start again.
Marg’s first announcement was Lamb Karahi (£8.95) – A host of spices sautéed karahi style in a rich turka base with an abundance of capsicums and onions. I invited her to read the description again. Too often Marg has gone for this, eaten the Lamb and left the Huge Mass of Onion and Capsicum. Yadgar and Karahi Palace have set the Standard for this Punjabi Dish, what is served there is Sublime and far from the description given here.
Machi Masala (£9.95) – Haddock cooked in a variety of traditional Indian spices – a somewhat vague description, however, this choice pleased The Hector who is still trying to find a Fish Curry to match the wonder that was served once upon a time at Cafe Salma. A solitary Chapati (£1.10) completed the Main Courses.
No Large Bottles of Water were available, so various Sparkling and Still (£1.85) were purchased before we resorted to a Jug of Tap Water.
By this time we had realised that the Young Waiter was none other than Ryan, a former pupil whose Sister appeared in Curry-Heute last year on a Hockey Trip to Aberdeen last year. The Curry House that night was the excellent Shri Bheema’s.
This was the opperchancity to ask about the Lagan Ki Boti and Shimla Cottage. I’ll find out – was the reply. At this point we upped the Vegetable Pakora to two portions.
Perhaps the same company printed the Menus? – was our conclusion, there is no Coatbridge connection.
As soon as the order was given, another Waitress brought Poppadoms and Spiced Onions. Despite being chargeable on the Menu, these appeared to be complimentary and therefore appreciated. Eleanor commented, favourably, on the Spiciness of the Onions. The clue is the name – I suggested.
The Pakora was presented soon afterwards, eight pieces per Portion. The Pakora was full of Flavour, Fresh Coriander to the fore. Very pleasant tasting – said Eleanor. Marg gave the highest praise – Nearly as good as the Akash, rich in vegetables, not doughy.
We had previously asked for a gap between Pakora and Main Courses. Ryan asked how much longer we need as the table was cleared. Five minutes – given that we had already been finished for ten or more. Half an hour later there was an apology, Chef had read our – Five – and concentrated on a large Takeaway Order which we saw leave the premises. It was approaching the full hour since the Pakora was finished when the Mains arrived. One had to accept the large group had to be dealt with, they were getting into party mood. When our Mains arrived, we were the only Diners left, peace.
Machi Masala
The Machi Masala was the first Dish placed on the table. A Thick, light-coloured Puréed Masala, I sensed another ingredient I try to avoid. Coconut? I said to Marg. This she confirmed. Marg was quick to assure me that the Coconut was not dominating. A Soupcon came my way, the taste of Fish was much to the fore, as one would hope. Sweeter than The Hector seeks, however, it was Marg’s Choice and she was well impressed.
A lovely texture, a good kick with plenty of taste. I would have this again.
Lamb Adhraki
The Lamb Adhraki looked the part. Topped with Ginger and Fresh Coriander, the Masala was also Light in Colour, I liked the singed edges of the Masala in the karahi. The Boiled Rice was enough to share, Marg benefited from this. There was no need to ring the Alarm for Excessive Rice.
It was delicious, beautifully seasoned, just the right amount of Coriander, very tender Lamb.
I liked the presentation.
I would definitely come here again.
Lagan Ki Boti
The Lagan Ki Boti was the last Dish to arrive, the Paratha moments later. The Paratha was a Disappointment, Served in Quarters, it was Thin and Greasy, not the Layered and Flaky – whole – Paratha – The Hector seeks.
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The Lagan Ki Boti looked like a – Hector Curry. The Dark and Thick Masala was as good as one could expect in a Mainstream Curry House. Again Topped with Ginger Strips, Green Flecks had been mixed through – Green Chillies and/or Spring Onion, more probably the latter else one’s head would have been blown off. This added to the Texture, more than just Meat and Sauce.
The Tender Lamb was shrouded in the Thick, Masala whose Seasoning was Fine. The Spice Level was Sufficient, I had had not been specific at the time of ordering. Tomato Seeds were highly visible in the Masala residue making one speculate as to whether this was a totally Tomato-based Masala. It was well crafted whatever method had been employed.
As ever, Hector’s mind turned to – Methi – which was conspicuous by its absence on the Menu. A Topping of Dry Methi might have given the Lagan Ki Boti – The Hector Wow -, still, a Very Pleasing Dish.
The Bill
£47.70. This included two Starers and three Soft Drinks.
The Aftermath
Mein Host and Hector made their acquaintance. I showed the Shimla Cottage description of Lagan Ki Boti, Curious.
Bollywood Lounge took over in January this year spending some time refurbishing the premises. They have been open some six months therefore and are doing well through – word of mouth.
I mentioned the lack of Methi on the Menu. Mein Host then quoted – Saag – and suggested that Methi Gosht is not Popular, or is a Tired Dish, I cannot recall precisely. However, all tastes can be accommodated.
Mein Host was keen to tell us about two Chicken Dishes – Tava Chicken – Pieces of chicken cooked with capsicums & onions in a ginger garlic sauce with green chillies in a cast iron tava garnished with mozzarella – and – Murgh Khali Mich – A hot peppery chicken dish with an onion, tomato, garlic & freshly ground black pepper sauce. The Hector could one day consider the latter, but at the risk of exhausting the point, see the Curry-Heute Campaign.
We’ll be back!
And so, down to Helensburgh to see – Slow Train – an up and coming Band playing at The Commodore.