The Bury Travelodge, don’t start me.
Anticipating a time consuming journey for the 10km from Bury back to Manchester this Sunday morning, The Hector was up at 09.00. A stroke of luck led to a shared taxi to Bury Interchange and Tram rather than the 1.5km walk to a Sunday Bus service. This meant I was at Kabana (22 Back Turner St., Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 1LQ England) minutes after 10.00. The lights were on, Rizwan saw me approach, there was a wave. This is the type of reception one experiences at Kabana which makes it the standout Curry House in the Northern Quarter.
Hector has been monitoring the Refurbishment of this Curry Cafe since November when the exterior of the building was taken back to the brick, and more significantly January 3rd, when the Interior was tackled.
The seating area was all set, The Chaps behind the counter were still setting up, cooking even. Hector was in no rush, 11.00 was my intended arrival time, train home at 13.15, the ultimate Photo Opperchancity.
It was cold, Rizwan forgot to turn on the heating, in anticipation of premises having been closed for weeks, Hector was suitably attired. It is summer in Australia, where Andy Murray has once again failed to deliver. Still the World’s #1, my January visits to Kabana over they years have always reported the same outcome.
By 11.00 some Regulars were taking their place at the counter, no food had yet been served. Customer #5 remarked: I thought I was in the wrong place, but the streets look the same.
Kabana now seats Fifty at a squeeze, maybe thirty in comfort. However, people will budge up, such is the Informality as I experienced back in November.
Hector was summoned to the counter. Rizwan pointed to the Board which had been filled since my arrival. Karahi Lamb it had to be (again). On-the-bone? – asked Rizwan, as if. Rice would accompany, Chapattis were still offered. And so The Hector became Customer #1 of Kabana #2.
This is the best place to have Breakfast – said a Lady in the queue as I moved along the counter to smother my Karahi Lamb in chopped Green Chillies and a forest of Fresh Coriander. Here we go.
The Portion was Huge. It’s Sunday Morning at 11.10, Hector has just been given more Food than he could ever contemplate before 15.00 on a good day. Take your time, Hector, the train leaves in two hours.
The Coriander and Chillies were mixed in, no photos of the Dog’s Breakfast. The Meat was easily in Double Figures, the Pieces were Large; the Bone Content would be revealed in time. How Tender was this Lamb? One suspects given that Friday was the hoped-for opening day, this Lamb had time to sit and absorb the Flavours from the Masala, Magnificent. As with Al Faisal two days previously, I found the Masala to be less – Soup-like – than I associate with the Northern Quarter. Perhaps it was simply the Rice absorbing the Excess. The Masala was Puréed rather than Shorva, the Seasoning was at the right end of The Scale. The Chillies had raised the Spice Level to Appropriate, one knows by now how many pieces to add.
Three Bones were present, one Sucky, from here the Marrow would have permeated the Masala, how Curry should be made. I found myself halving some of the Meat, I suspect this was a Hector Portion. I had to finish it, I did, just. No more Food today, please. Marg will expect Dinner tonight, Dilemma, the finest sort.
I hear your opening on Saturdays? – I heard another Lady customer state as she paid. Kabana seven days a week will affect the other nearby venues.
The Bill
£6.30. One cannot make this up.
The Aftermath
Rizwan gave me his email address to forward my photos.
I hope to be back later this year.
Take care.
Jaki Liebezeit RIP
The plan was to write a review of last night’s IQ gig at The Met in Bury, however, this evening news was released about the death of a Musician who has heavily influenced Hector’s musical tastes since 1973.
Jaki Liebezeit was a founder member of – CAN – my favourite band of all time. I have more Vinyl and CDs by Jaki Liebezeit than any other Musician. His Metronomic style continued to add a distinctive dimension to all the projects he has been involved with since – CAN – ceased recording.
I had hoped to see Jaki at the Michael Rother gig in Düsseldorf last month, alas he was not available. Marg and I were due to see Jaki reunite with – CAN – members Irmin Schmidt and Malcolm Mooney at the Barbican this April in the company of FP – Gordon. The moniker I used for all the pupils I ever taught who asked me to sign a shirt or Leaver’s Book was the – Deus ex Machina – Logo as Jaki drew for me back in Glasgow in 1974.
It is time to play Tago Mago once more.
