After the Saltiest Curry consumed in recent years, there was the quaffing of some Ale in Shipley, Idle and latterly Greengates where The Cracker Barrel has recently opened. The Rickmeister’s Grand Plan for today was to end up at – bhajis n beer (Unit 7&8 New Line Retail Park, Greengates, Bradford BD10 9AP), perhaps the first Bradford Curry House I have been in for twenty years which sells alcohol.
Having studied the – bhajis n beer – website before travelling, I had a mental picture of what to expect. How wrong could one be? Located on a Verandah, upstairs in a Shopping Unit, we entered a room with all the places set formally. This is very much a place – To Dine – not the Beer n Snacks I had been led to believe.
The two Staff members greeted us from behind the Bar as we entered. The Chap would take care of Drinks, the Lady the Food Order, all very Pukkah. The table setting had the Menu printed as I had previously seen. The Chap brought the Bier List, I let Dr. Stan and Ricky study this whilst I took care of securing my photographic record.
Poppadoms (75p) and a Pickle Tray (£2.50) which the Menu said had eight varieties and would served two to four people, were declined. We were not falling for that. £7.00 on The Bill before we start?
Brooklyn East IPA (Brooklyn Brewery, New York, USA) at 6.7% appeared to be the Optimal Bier choice. At £4.50 for a 330ml Bottle, we would only be having one. Two Lagers were available on Tap. A large open fridge had a display of the available Bier, an Eclectic Array.
The pricing system for the Food was simple. All Main Courses are £8.00, all Sides are £2.00. We knew before we started therefore that we would be paying £14.50 each, a third of this being for the Bier; this is not our Norm. A Takeaway Menu was on display at the adjacent table. This informed us that – bhajis n beer – opened on July 11, 2016. As one would expect, Takeaway Prices are appreciably lower than Dining In.
Karhai Mutton with a Garlic Buttered Naan would be Hector’s selection. The description excluded Capsicum. Somewhat amusingly, one could add – Sautéed Peppers – for an extra £1.00. On the assumption that I would avoid the Dreaded Green Ballast, I had to have the Karhai.
Dr. Stan opted for Mutton Achari with Pilau Rice. Ricky’s attention was focused on the Nach Gana. As with the Karhai, this was admitted to being a Stir Fry, the Plum Paste should hopefully make this memorable. We all knew before we started that this Curry would never be as Wonderful as the Shahi Kofta served to Ricky at the International two days ago. With the guarantee that I would not mention this to Mr. Boyd, Ricky also ordered Pilau Rice. The logic was simple – bhajis n beer – is clearly an Indian Restaurant, not the Punjabi that prevail in Bradford. With the possibility of a Masala/Shorva which we would describe as – Soup – it had to be Rice.
We consumed as much Tap Water as we did Bier. This necessitated a trip to inspect the Facilities. Beware of the Hand Drier, it is – Hot – Fiercely Hot!
The Pilau Rice was presented, topped with Caramelised Onions. It seemed sensible to eat the Curry from the Soup Plate in which it was presented rather than decant. This meant the Rice went on top of the Curry. Ricky soon announced that he did not have enough Rice, his eyes gazed upon the, by then, remnants of the Naan.
The Garlic Buttered Naan was Poor. Resembling a Pizza around the edges, it was decidedly Thin in the middle; here was the concentration of Garlic Paste. As much as one loves Garlic, to get a mouthful of Paste is never pleasant. When Ricky sampled a piece he insisted he could taste – Fish. He knows of a Bradford Curry House where Bread and Fish are cooked in the same Tandoor. Speculation perhaps, Dr. Stan was called upon, he could not taste – Fish – nor could The Hector. But then, I claimed our last Stout had an after-taste of – Iodine – which nobody else got. Each to his own.
Mutton Karhai
The appearance brought a smile, my worst fears and my best hopes, simultaneously. In Europe in particular, Karahi can be presented as a Stir Fry with Large Pieces of Onion and Capsicum atop the Meat. Here it was, how did both Red and Yellow Capsicum get into my Curry, again? Beneath this lay the Bradford Curry, Excellent.
The Bradford-small cut Mutton varied from Very Tender to Firm. This was cloaked in a most Minimal Blended Masala. This was the saving feature of this interpretation of Karahi. The Spice Level was most acceptable, the Seasoning was a relief after the – A-salting – at the International at Lunchtime. The Ballast was picked out, the Onions were not Excessive and so were eaten. The Green Chilli remained untouched, Hector’s digestive system deserved a break. This was my Fifth Curry in forty eight hours!
Mutton Achari
The Mutton Achari had the Ballast also. Indeed in studying all three Dishes, it is difficult to tell them apart. The Oily looking Shorva did not appear to be as Rich as the Masala in the Karhai, however, Dr. Stan found his Curry to be most favourable.
Lots of Pickle in this – was an early statement.
I’m sure there must have been the customary – Mmmm – also.
Good spicy flavour – was the verdict of The Man of Few Words.
Lots of different flavours – he’s getting carried away.
Nach Gana
The converting of the name of this Dish from Hindi to English is very much – lost in translation. I shall read it in Deutsch as is my prerogative. The Nach Gana was almost indistinguishable in appearance from that presented above. A Stir Fry, a comparable Masala, it would all be about the Plum Paste.
This is Spicy – was an early remark from The Man from Bradford.
The Green Chilli is not cooked, but I’m still eating it.
This is Indian Cooking, not a bad thing.
You can taste the Plums.
I could definitely have eaten more Rice.
I’m not going to rush back, but it weren’t bad.
Normally this would mark the end of a Curry-Heute Blog, however, something happened.
Three Suits came in and sat at the adjacent table, we could not help but hear all. They were here for an entirely different experience.
One Chap enthused immediately about ordering Poppadoms and Bhajis. That he was a – Vegetarian – was announced also. Why do Vegetarians always have to tell you within moments of meeting? This suggested that the Three Suits were acquaintances – on expenses – theorised The Rickmeister. Two pints of Lager and a Coke were brought. A Pile of Poppadoms accompanied a tall rack which one might use for High Tea, to serve Sandwiches and Scones. Our gracious Lady Host talked them through the eight Dips.
Seeing us finish our meals, one Chap engaged Ricky and asked what we had had. Our reports were favourable, a précis of the above. Each ordered a Main Course and a Side on top of accompanying Bread or Rice. Three Naans would not be enough – suggested the Serving Chap. A Mountain of Food was ordered.
I’m full now – remarked The Vegetarian as he finished his second Poppadom.
So it goes.
The Bill
£43.50. Exactly as predicted.
The Aftermath
Ricky went up to the counter to pay by card. Our Hostess was seeing to this, I joined them.
The Calling Card was given and the Curry-Heute Website quickly shown on the Economical LG.
I promised to have a review printed in a couple of days.
Super – was the favourable response.
