Mags was always up for a return visit to Lahori Taste (36 Chapel Hill, Huddersfield, HD1 3EB, England) after our most impressive experience last January. Howard was planning to dine here but changed his mind at the last minute. Craig and Yvonne returned to Bradford, and Neil? No Curry for Neil on this Trip. Dr. Stan would make an unscheduled appearance, one never knows when the Good Doctor will be up for Curry.
Mein Host recognised The Hector as our Trio entered around 21.00. He told me that he had just informed his Colleagues that we were back. He was prepared for Hector’s Tweaks.
The Display Boards have changed, much smaller writing, the Takeaway Menu still suggests Lahori Taste is open at Lunchtime, which Howard will verify is simply not true. Who needs a Menu? We would ask for what we wanted.
For Hector, who would believe – Lamb Methi with Extra Seasoning? I asked if on-the-bone was available, sadly not. A Paratha would accompany. For this £8.50 changed hands in advance. I took my seat at the same table I have occupied on each of my now three visits, it’s a Hector thing. My Co-diners were served in turn.
The Aloo Gosht Lady stuck to her guns, a Paratha too. I have no idea what she paid. Dr. Stan must have been hungry, a Shami Kebab would precede his Keema Mutter and Paratha (£9.50).
The Chaps went to work on our respective orders. A Metal Tray with a Modest Salad, Chilli Dip and Raita were placed on the table, something for Mags and Hector to nibble whilst Dr. Stan ate his solitary Shami Kebab. One always looks Lonely. No sooner had the Good Doctor finished his Kebap when the Flat Karahi/Tawa with Hector’s Creation arrived. It did not occupy the whole surface, – Going Large – for an extra £2.00 is probably still on offer.
Lamb Methi
The Meat was very Light in Colour, was this Chicken thigh or Lamb? My fears were allayed, Tender Lamb, lots of it, thirty plus pieces of Bradford Small Cut Meat, astonishing! The Masala was in the Classic – Minimal – style, as Thick as The Hector desires. With a topping of Fresh Coriander Leaves and Stems, all was set. Anticipation was all, this could be another one of those – Special Moments.
The Dark Masala seemed to have a Moderate Spice Level initially, then it kicked in. There was a Slight Sweetness which should not have been if Methi had been added as I had asked. From where was this Sweetness coming from? The Lamb was – melt in the mouth – what was this Overall Flavour? There was a Desi-Roundness if that makes sense. Not Ambala Deli Bar (Glasgow) or Dera (Manchester), this was something else. Here surely is the – Joy of Curry – it comes out so differently yet the Ingredients are Standard.
The so called Parathas were as Peely Wally as I have ever seen. Had something been lost in translation? These were little more than Chapatis with Girth. We like this, however, reminds us of Home.
Aloo Gosht
Mags’ Aloo Gosht was very similar to the Lamb Methi, with obvious pieces of Potato. Mags never finishes a Curry on a Saturday Night, this Aloo Gosht was disappearing rapidly. Mags knew what she was having, there was no sense of disappointment, she knows.
Blood marvellous, as good as this time last year. Not too Hot, Spice was right, and I ate it without cutlery.
Keema Mutter
Never have I seen so many Large Peas in a Keema Mutter. This was no doubt due to the Presentation, one can see the entire Dish at once when served on a Tawa. The Good Doctor obliged with an – Immortal Memory – once he was finished:
That was very Spicy, plenty Peas. It filled a hole that needed to be filled.
We ate – The Lot! – as a famous double negative once claimed:
I can’t get no, Satisfaction.
The Aftermath
I went back up to the counter to discuss what I had tasted with Mein Host. When I described the apparent lack of Methi and more significantly, the – Sweetness – he said he would have changed it had I asked.
I like to eat what you give me – was my reply.
It was chucking it down. The Taxi Office across the street has closed. The Replacement Samsung called the advertised number. Back to Bradford. Had anyone texted me at 02.00 and suggested the Sheesh Mahal, I might have been tempted.