A Saturday afternoon in Dumbarton? With Johnny now in charge of The Captain James Lang, the Range of Ale has taken on a new dimension. The Company may well find themselves here regularly as long as this maintains.
Curry-Heute was considered for this afternoon in Dumbarton. The long established Delhi Barbar does not open until 16.00, the more recently visited Bollywood Lounge opens later. This may work midweek when we tend to rendezvous later, but not for a Saturday afternoon. Arriving at Dumbarton Central, the mystery remains as to why Haveli has never opened. And so it came to be, a Curry, late evening from outside Clydebank Central.
Hot & Spicy (18 Alexander St., Clydebank, G81 1RZ) is usually Hector’s Kebap Stop when needs must. The association with Cafe Punjab and the latter’s absorption has been well covered in these pages. The Young Chap in charge recognised The Hector as soon as the door opened. I have declined Curry here in recent months, tonight I was early enough to play.
Are you up for The Curry Challenge?
I have actually done this before, two years ago, then the Curry came from a few doors away at Cafe Punjab. That turned out to be my Penultimate Curry cooked there.
My wife thinks I’m sad, I read your Blog – was his reply.
A Senior Staff member was introduced, his venue? My Chap called up Curry-Heute on his phone, meet The Hector, no Photos.
And so the notepad was prepared, the Order given, as always:
Lamb, on-the-bone? (not possible), Thick, Minimal Masala.
Dry – was interjected.
Indeed, with Methi, and Well-seasoned. Vegetable Rice, and no Capsicum in either the Curry or the Rice.
I was immediately asked why – no Capsicum. The wall was pointed to, Capsicum features in so few of their Dishes. Knowing my tendency towards Karahi, this is when it appears. The Curry-Heute Campaign was outlined, the abhorrence of Capsicum explained.
Spicier than Medium, but not Crazy.
Madras – was suggested.
Normally money changes hands at this point, not tonight.
The Order was taken to the Kitchen, I could imagine Chef’s reaction:
Who (***) is ordering this?
My Young Host related that the people of Clydebank are not that fussy about their Curry. Chips and Cheese is amongst their biggest sellers.
As we have done before, my Favourite Glasgow Curry Houses were discussed, places that Mein Host never visits, but would like to. It is about time we went dining together. (Hector@Curry-Heute.com)
Elections from the Punjab were being broadcast on the TV. Given the attire, from the Indian side of the border. Whilst My Chap was busy, I talked to another Staff member. Namkeen Karahi was mentioned, not known here. It originates further West.
Another Customer arrived to order Curry. Everyone else who had been in and out had ordered Kebaps, Pizza, Chips. He assured me that the Curry served here is Excellent. When my Curry arrived there was a Ritual Photo. None of the major players are featured.
The Bill
Pay me on Monday.
A gesture appreciated, and not to be taken literally.
When are we going for Curry together?
Since retirement, a Bus has always taken Hector up the hill. To do the Curry justice, a Taxi was employed. The fixing of the 62m hole at Hardgate has disrupted our Water Mains, the Driver told me. So it goes.
Two Large Trays were filled to the brim. The Rice had Onion, Potato and Cauliflower. Half was decanted, the rest for another day.
Look at the Curry! Absolutely no Excessive Masala. This was the definitive – Dry and Thick. The Herb content was most apparent, this was still Curry with Herbs, not Saag/Palak. Again half was decanted. This was quite a Portion.
Even with half, the Tender Lamb was in double figures, Large Pieces too. The Spice Level was as agreed, the Seasoning was Perfection. The Herb content was a Dream, the telltale Grittiness of Methi was there. The Rice, Potato and Cauliflower provided the required Diversity. Bread would not have suited this Curry. For once, this did not taste like a Clydebank Curry (they really do all the the same no matter you buy them from), this had something else. But still not in the Upper Echelon of Curry as Hector would classify it, that is hardly achievable in twenty minutes.
Next time I shall try their Lamb Karahi, how much Ballast will there be?
The Leftovers
Update
Paid, April 17th, when having a Kebap…