Marg and Hector are in Biggin Hill visiting an old college friend, less of the – old. Knowing of Hector’s passing interest in all things – Curry -, Alison was keen to take us to her local Curry House. That this would be – Curry – four days in a row was perfect for The Hector, Marg was hardly going to complain, especially given the big build up for Bengal Butler (226 Main Rd, Biggin Hill, Westerham TN16 3BD). Alison, Keith and Callum are Regulars, dining here usually on Wednesdays which is Banquet Night. One chooses Five Courses from the Banquet Menu apparently. Sunday is Buffet Night. Tonight would be a la carte, a quiet Monday.
Three tables were occupied when we entered just after 19.00. Hasan and Arman, our Hosts for the evening, pushed two tables together to accommodate the five. The Menus were brought, Hector was immediately impressed.
The Restaurant’s name led me to expect Bangladeshi Cuisine, however, Dum Pukht stood out, an Afghan Dish. There was even the bonus of Punjabi and Kashmiri Dishes to choose from. If the Food lived up to Alison’s description, we would be in for a good night.
Hyderabadi Raan Gosht (£10.95) would be Hector’s choice of Main Course, the Opperchancity to have Lamb on-the-bone, a Leg of Lamb. Normally when Leg of Lamb is encountered, the Dish is – Nihari – a Shorva too far. This Interpretation promised – Marinated Lamb – and – Methi, there was no holding me back. Marg spotted what might have been Hector’s choice on another day – Satkari Gosht – (£7.50) which had the promise of – Citrus. We would share a Paratha (£2.50) and Mushroom Rice (£2.95).
On any other night, this would have been enough, our Fellow Diners led the way. Keith was having Chicken and Cheese Lafaffa (£4.90) to start, I bet we cannot wait to discover what this is. Callum asked me what a Chapli Kebab (£4.90) was, alas this would not be available. His fallback was a Prawn Puri (£3.50) but served on a Roti, the healthier option I was informed. The Sweetness of the Puri complements the Prawns, this was a very Presbyterian order. Alison ordered Poppadoms, in two varieties, Marg was up for this. Hector completed this phase by adding Punjabi Machi (£4.95), how would this compare to the Scottish Haddock served at Glasgow’s Yadgar?
Alison surprised me by ordering Tandoori Mixed Grill (£8.95) as her Main, no Curry then. A Peshwari Naan (£2.20) would accompany. Keith chose Chicken Sagrana (£8.95) and asked for extra Masala. Here we would have the antithesis of a Hector Curry. Chicken, Spinach(?), extra Masala? Last night it was Maggie with Chicken Korma at the Dosa Club, Crawley. Curry-Heute is adding a Diversity that some Readers may welcome. A Keema Naan (£2.20) and more would accompany the Chicken Sagrana. Saag Aloo (£2.95) and Tarka Daal (£2.95) were added too.
Callum could not find his preferred Dish and so asked for the Banquet Menu. Here was Kerala Chicken Curry, and Spinach Rice. Not to be outdone, a Palok Bhajee was added for good measure.
I have never seen five people order so much food – I remarked. And tonight was not Banquet Wednesday.
The Poppadoms and Dips/Chutney made an early appearance. The Spicy Poppadoms had embedded Cumin Seeds more commonly served in Europe than the UK. Marg insisted there was more to them than just Cumin. The trolley made the occasional – whoosh – as it was wheeled up the ramp behind me. Others were being served. After a while it became apparent that everyone else had been served, we had not. Hasan and Arman continued to rush to and from the kitchen. Maybe they’re cooking the food – joked Keith. I told Callum the story of the night I was at the Delhi Darbar (Dumbarton) with Marg and we suspected the Waiter was running the shop on his own. When I next returned to buy just Pakora, the server recognised me and admitted this had been the case. The Starters were promised – soon – which inevitably made their arrival feel even later.
The arrival of the Starters meant more Poppadoms were ordered, the Dips/Chutney were replenished. The Chicken and Cheese Lafaffa tuned out to be Spinach, Cheese and Chicken Patties. One can conclude that Keith likes Chicken and Spinach. Marg confirms that these were – Hot and Tasty – when a Soupçon went in her direction. The Prawn Puri looked strange on a Roti, each to their own.
What is this that stands before me?
Behold the Punjabi Machi! Wtf? They are having a laugh!
Four tiny pieces of Fish in batter sat staring from a lonely plate. There is Salad, and there is – Modest Salad. This was – Micro Salad. £4.95 for this? Has Chef ever bought a Fish Supper? The Lemon was squeezed over the Fish, this added a much needed Tang. The Fish was not Spicy, it was hardly even there; in a flash it was gone. I refer the Reader again to Yadgar. How long had we waited?
There was another wait, then…
Hyderabadi Raan Gosht
When the Hyderabadi Raan Gosht arrived, all was forgiven. A decent-sized Leg of Lamb sat atop a Thick Onion-rich Masala. We had been warned that the Breads served here are not as Big as one may expect. The Paratha was Layered and Flaky, though a bit Oily. This mattered not, dipped into the accumulating Oil in the Masala, this was indulgence. With my share of the Mushroom Rice and Masala arranged on the plate, it was time to get stuck in.
Hector had to use a knife and a fork to eat his Curry, a first. The Leg Bone was carefully stripped of its Meat. Tender Lamb, very Tasty, this could have been Kleftico, Indian Style. This is an accolade, the Seasoning was spot on, the Spice Level could have been higher. Still, alternating between Lamb and Rice, Paratha and Masala, this was the veritable feast. It’s a pity it was served Warm rather than Hot. How long had it been lying, waiting?
Due to the complexity of my own Dish, I was not able to observe my Fellow Diners in action. The Saag Aloo and Tarka Daal were offered, I had enough on my plate. Marg on my left, thoroughly enjoyed her Satkari Gosht.
Satkari Gosht
I was ready for the lemon zesty Curry. There was tender Lamb which went well with the Paratha and Mushroom Rice. I thoroughly enjoyed the meal.
*
*
Kerala Chicken Curry
Callum was well impressed earlier when we first met. On hearing about my Curry Blog, I invited him to enter – UK Curry Blog – on the search engine of his choice, he used Google.
Curry-Heute was first in the list!
The Kerala Chicken Curry came with a Dark, Rich, Thick Masala.
Very flavoursome, very tasty, as always.
However, all was not well across the table. Callum had issues with his Naan.
I was disappointed tonight for the first time, my Naan was cremated. … and it was so slow.
Tandoori Mixed Grill
Alison’s Tandoori Mixed Grill came with a Plain Naan, so better advice could have been given at the time of ordering. Why not give the Peshwari Naan? Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Tikka and a Seekh Kebab were topped with Onions. No Lamb Chops?
Very palatable, tantalised my taste buds. Washed down with my Cobra Beer, most enjoyable.
Chicken Sagrana
Keith’s Keema Naan had not arrived with the Mains. This was summoned. The Spare Naan came into vogue. The Curry was Yellow and Creamy. Keith dug in to reveal the interior, Trifle! Chicken Trifle. Clearly he has had this before and loves it.
It was breast of Chicken tonight, usually it’s Thigh. (Keith is a Chef.) Light and creamy, fabulous, even though it was cooked by the Waiter – he said, tongue in cheek.
The Keema Naan never came, the machine had been switched off, no more Bread tonight. Two Diners had just arrived, should we tell them they would be in for a long night?
There was an admission that they were short staffed tonight. Yes, we had noticed.
The Bill
£103.60. Drinks on the House were offered to make up for the time lost. The offer was declined.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was looked out, Keith announced the presence of The Hector. Hasan and Arman almost insisted we have our photo taken together. They look forward to tonight’s review. The intention to print it and post it in their window was declared. Maybe not for this Monday night, next time.
