Glasgow – The Village Curry House – Ramadan Buffet 2017

Today is the day, Hector and Marg let loose on an array of – Desi Style – creations courtesy of The Village Curry House (119 West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA). The booking was for 22.00, knowing the system, we arrived twenty minutes early. It is better to book, The Village may seat hundreds, tonight most tables were occupied. At the weekend, the place will be stowed.

The Head Waiter greeted me by name at the door – Mr. Hector! Irram, daughter of Mein Host, had made the booking on my behalf, so it goes.

Chaps at the table behind me were finishing their meals, one of only two tables with people eating already. The rest of us sat, bare tables, waiting for – the off. The sun set at 21.55, bring on The Starters.

One could easily overdose on Starters such is the available choice. I accompanied Marg who would not mind this occurring, her preference. Waiting in the queue, we watched The Mains being assembled, no Kofta Anda or Daal Makhani this evening. They do rotate the Dishes, so it is always worth a return visit.

The Salads were walked past, Mr Baig was at his customary post, serving the more Interesting Vegetable Starters, Kassif and Colleague manned the Meat. There was Pizza also.. always – The Pizza.

Where’s your movie camera? asked Mr. Baig.

My plate was far from overflowing, Spiced Onion, a Chicken Tikka Drumstick, Chapli Kebap and Shami Kebap. Kassif tried to tempt me to have more:

I know what is coming later, this is quite enough – I assured him.

Marg’s Starters

Back at the table, Marg arrived with a full plate. Samosa, Chapli Kebap, Chicken Tikka (Boneless), Aubergine Fritter, and – a Sausage in Batter. (?) This was Marg’s first Chapli Kebap, it will not be her last. She insisted I try some of her Tikka, Tasty, Spicy.

Hector’s Starters

The Spiced Onion on my plate was Dark and Rich, I know someone who would have eaten a plate of this. The Chapli Kebap was impressive, the Shami, even more. Why did I take the Chicken? I should have known better, the only – Bland – item on my plate.

Our Bottle of Sparkling Water was chilled courtesy of a pint glass full of ice, sensible Waitressing. There had to be a gap before The Mains. Many were still queueing for Starters, I checked all was well and led Marg up to the line of Tureens. The Hector Strategy – no Rice, no Bread, maximise the Meat and less filling Veg.

                      Lamb Pilao                                            Chicken Biryani

                         Haleem                                                      Nehari

For the purposes of a complete record, all Dishes were recorded, I basically walked past the first four. Lamb Pilao and Chicken Biryani, both on-the-bone, were followed by the two Desi Dishes I have learned to avoid – Haleem – and Nehari – they do nothing for me. Paaye was up next. In the past I have ignored this, then realised this would be the Best Opperchancity to sample this most Traditional of Dishes. I took one Trotter with Minimal Masala. Daal Mash, I can take in small doses, laters. Pakora Karri is only served in the Curry Cafes in Glasgow not the Mainstream Restaurants. I find it makes the Pakora lose it Crispness, though I did suggest to Marg that she might try some. At this point I should point out that the Meat Curry Dishes all appear to be – Soup. Those who wish plenty of Masala could help themselves, those who prefer – Minimal – would no doubt follow Hector’s lead, sieve out the Meat, leave the Masala.

                        Paaye                                                        Daal Mash

                       Pakora Karri                                             Aloo Methi

                    Chilli Chicken                                             Lamb Bhoona

                    Chicken Kirahi                                           Lamb Kirahi

The Aloo Methi was as – Dry – as I would wish any Dish. I have never seen so much – Herb – on Potato, expectations were high. The Chilli Chicken looked out of place, walk on by. Lamb Bhoona, this was more like it. Still, it was presented in a Mass of Masala, notionally a – Drier Curry – the Masala did look – Rich, the – Herb Topping – so inviting. Chicken Kirahi and Lamb Kirahi, both on-the-bone completed the array. I had enough on my plate, I would wait until Round 2 for the Lamb Kirahi. Oh, Naan was at the end, Marg took a piece.

Aloo Methi – Paaye – Lamb Bhuna

The Trotters required – fingers – to eat. Fatty, Minimal Meat, the Food of – Poverty – or a – Delicacy – depending on one’s point of view. The Masala was familiar, Earthy, as one would receive in a Karahi. Tick the box, no need to have this again. The Aloo Methi had Stems present. If these were Fenugreek Stems then this is in the face of all I have been taught – use the leaves, not the stems. I suspect Coriander was in here too, Marg announced a huge Coriander hit, it was either from here or what would be decidedly – The Dish of The Day – the Lamb Bhoona.

The Lamb Bhoona was like stepping back in time, some forty years or more to the time when – Meat and Mushroom Bhuna Vindaloo – was my Standard Curry. So much Flavour, achieved through Clever Seasoning. This, if ever it needed proving, showed that getting the Seasoning right is all. The Spice Level was set to – Buffet. One can never expect a Seriously Spiced Dish to be set before the Masses. Four Pieces of Tender Lamb, only four. The Masala was Wonderful, there was an instant – Wow – when I squared up to this Bhuna. Rice would have been the Perfect accompaniment for this Curry on any other day.

Pakora Karri – Aloo Methi – Lamb Kirahi – Lamb Bhoona – Naan

Twenty years ago, this Lady ate Chicken Korma, this array of Dishes would never have been contemplated. The Pakora Karri passed without comment. The – Coriander Blast – occupied Marg, was it from the Aloo Methi or the Lamb Bhoona? Wherever, this made her Selection viable. Marg was also impressed by the Quality of the Lamb.

Seconds Out, Round 2

Some were still queuing for Starters which were by now greatly diminished. The majority were interested in the Mains. Last year I took a photo of a Chap in front of me who chose everything I would not. Even The Hector was not going to simply take a plate of Meat. The Daal Mash had to be sampled, I took enough to provide Diversity. The Lamb Kirahi, my Everyday Curry, was the target, the Dish which impressed most last year. I could not pass the Lamb Bhoona, taking the same as before. The Kirahi was on-the-bone, the Masala way to Excess, again, sieving was required. Still, no Bread, no Rice.

Daal Mash – Lamb Bhoona – Lamb Kirahi

Daal Makhani is by far my Favourite Daal, this came close. By far the best Plain Daal I have ever encountered. Again this was down to the Seasoning bringing out a Full Blend of Flavours. Even last year in India, I did not find a Daal this good. Is this available on the Standard Menu?

The Lamb Kirahi was on Large Bones, again – fingers. Beautifully Tender Meat, the underlying Flavour was so familiar, Earthy. The Masala was visibly Thinner than the Bhoona and totally different in Taste. On any other day I could have sat and eaten a half kilo of this and been totally content. Tonight, I had been taken back to my roots, the Lamb Bhoona was that good.

There’s more…

Marg went off to investigate the Desserts. Whilst a variety of Ice Creams were on display, only Vanilla was being served as part of the Buffet. Vanilla is what Marg was after. Two Sweeties accompanied, Marg likes to end on a Sweet Note.

How much did all this cost? A two tier price system has been operation at The Village for the last two years: Monday – Thursday – £11.95. Friday – Sunday – £12.95,  though the record shows I may have been charged only £10.95 last year.

The Bill

£26.85. Given the cost of the Large Bottle of Sparkling Water, the Buffet cost us £11.95 each, I think.

The Aftermath

Kassif was manning the till. I had to tell him that the Lamb Bhuna was my Highlight, taking me back to my formative years. Mr. Baig approached, again I congratulated him on the Desi Buffet. He replied with an interesting comment.

We need a full review.

But you know I write up every Curry I eat.

He meant from the Press. The Herald are long overdue a return to The Village. Perhaps they should sample the Ramadan Buffet?

Update

And it came to pass that Ron Mackenna of – The Herald – took The Hector up on his suggestion of a visit…the article in full is here.