Glasgow – Karahi Palace – Hector orders: Chicken Karahi !

It cannot only be The Hector who finds the Staff at Edinburgh Airport to be – tacitly aggressive – but then there’s Waverley, the Premier League Champions of mucking about Travellers. Two sets of Glasgow bound passengers on the same platform waiting for different Glasgow Trains? Wtf is Platform 9E? Even J.K.R. would have needed to – magic up – a solution.  An attempt to spoil an Extraordinary Extravaganza at Staggs (Musselburgh) today? We bailed and took the Cross Country, yet another route.

The arrival at Glasgow Central meant only one thing could follow: Curry-Heute at Karahi Palace (51 – 53 Nelson Street, Glasgow, G5 8DZ). The number of cars parked outside this Friday night was commensurate with the number of Diners, nine downstairs. All the ground floor tables were occupied. If upstairs was in use, there would no doubt be large groups. One Chap sat alone at one of the four downstairs tables. I gestured, he nodded, sorted. At two of the other tables, the Large Karahi were mid table, Veritable Feasts, well underway. 21.30 on a Friday night is not The Hector’s normal time at Karahi Palace.

Qaiser came in, he acknowledged me and fetched his note-pad.

Maybe not Lamb, Lamb Chops? No Lamb.

I was almost accepting the compromise when a flash of inspiration made me think of – The alternative.

Chicken, on-the-bone? Chicken Karahi (£7.50) with Extra Everything.

Qaiser went to check, and so it came to be that The Hector knowingly ordered a Chicken Curry. My second this year. Where can I get Fish Curry?

My co-Diner was finishing a mass of Something Green.

Spinach with mustard leaf – he informed me.

Before I knew it, he had torn a piece off his Chapatti, scooped up some of the Spinach and handed it across the table. Manna.

The Lamb Mince, Potatoes and Peas he kept to himself.

Despite my obsession with Herbs in Curry, I am not a huge lover of Spinach per se. Pleasant, a Decent Accompaniment the way it was arranged with the Keema Mutter.  I could not be presumptive, no Photo.

My presence at Karahi Palace was acknowledged on a Social Medium.

Still here – was my reply.

I was about to hand a Calling Card to my new Acquaintance when Qaiser came over. I read your comments about Edinburgh. Is Qaiser now handling the Karahi Palace comments? They have been visibly more active of late. It is about time this Humble Establishment advertised themselves with greater vigour. I can only do so much.

The Chap would soon be gone, my Chicken Karahi and Chapatti arrived, a Photo Opperchancity. It looked liked a Paler version of the consistently outstanding Lamb Karahi.

I posted a photo, the reaction was instant. Hector was having Chicken Karahi?

The Spice and Seasoning were there, the Oil collected.  The Minimal, Thick, Tomato-rich Masala-mash was identical to the Lamb Equivalent. Why shouldn’t it be? Given the Temperature of the Meat, I had to concentrate on the Masala, all the Pleasures coming as expected. The Spice Level was now eye-watering. Regardless of what would follow, this was already being regarded as a Worthy Curry.

The Fresh Coriander Stems and Leaves gave Crunch and Diversity of Flavour. The – Green – was not the Dreaded Vegetable as a Curryspondent had already asked, but a Fiery Chilli. Marg and Hector went to see The Viceroy’s House last night. FYI, not a single Capsicum was harmed in the making of that Movie. In fact, I never saw – Curry, just lots of pots being stirred.

I have learned this year that Chicken Thigh can work in Curry. I had a variety of Cuts. The Meat was Moist, Bland, a Solid in the Sea of Masala. Vegetables may have done just as well, even better. Let’s not be bitchy, as Curry goes, this was still an Outstanding Karahi.

The Bill

£8.20. It was Ayaz, Mein Host, who took the Cash. I asked – Who is operating your Facebook account? He admitted it was him, as it should be.

Let us all be – Friends – with Karahi Palace.

The Aftermath

Qaiser spoke to me once more as I departed. He was keen to know my thoughts.

Rashid is off, it might have tasted a bit different.

I admitted that Chef #2 had cooked my last Lamb Karahi here and it was indistinguishable from Chef Rashid’s. He has clearly learned the ways of the Karahi Palace, a coming of age.

It’s Friday, no Marg to fetch me from The Laurieston. A Train from the comparatively wonderful Glasgow Central was on the regular platform, waiting to take me home.