Two weeks in Glasgow, enough time to get around my – Very Favourite Places – and also celebrate the counter on Curry-Heute passing through – 6 Million. Either I am practising Morse Code or people are visiting this site. Some even read it and make comments.
Yadgar Kebab House (148 Calder St, Govanhill, Glasgow, G42 7QP) has not been visited since the end of April, one cannot go back to the well too often. Shkoor, Mein Host, was contacted midweek with a request for a – Sensible Hector Portion – of Goshat Karahi. My request for 15.00 was put back by a half hour due to it being both Friday and Ramadan.
I arrived at 15.15, Omar was behind the counter, Naveed is off on his travels. I would have three fellow diners, two of whom departed quickly after a modest intake of food. The remaining Chap was also here for the equivalent of – The Full Bhuna.
I was contemplating asking Omar not to bring Poppadoms when two were placed before me along with Spiced Onion. Oh well, it has been a while. Three Dips were also presented, Lime Pickle, Mango Chutney and something – Brown – not the usual Red Spice. That was different, unknown to The Hector, there was a cunning plan.
The Chap with No Name brought out a plateful of Pani Puri. Not the single sample which I became used to back in the days of Mrs Majhu (Glasgow) or Ambal’s in Aberdeen.
This is our new starter – he informed me.
I asked if the Brown Dip was Tamarind, I would have found out, however, it was something unpronounceable, not Tamarind.
Five Pani Puri
Who eats five of these? I poured the Brown Dip into the orifices in time honoured manner, all was set. Stuffed with Chickpea, Onion, Tomato and Cucumber, these were most Refreshing and Spicy. I don’t know that I would order this, but as a welcoming gesture, appreciated.
I was halfway through the Pani Puri when the Yadgar Salad arrived. More Vegetables, Hector was eating the equivalent of the entire consumption of Vegetables sold on a good day in Lidl.
Vegetables can be filling, so can Poppadoms as observed in such a ridiculous manner recently in Bradford. The Poppadoms were abandoned, eat your Greens. I had Onion coming at me from three sources. The Chap opposite could not help but notice the number of plates on my table.
I am well looked after here – was my humble comment.
He ordered from the Menu, not a Regular then? All became clear. I have eaten – Mountains of Meat – at Yadgar, this Chap was a worthy Pretender. I deduced this was the Yadgar Mixed Grill that I have seen posted. Seekh Kebap, Lamb Chops, Tikka Chicken, more Lamb. In fact, from my perspective, I could see little in the way of Chicken. He tore in, this would take a while. No Masala, not Curry.
Goshat Karahi
They do not sell this Wondrous Dish by the Half Kilo at Yadgar. Oh yes they do! A – Sensible Hector Portion? I counted the meat into Double Figures, twice. I could not see a lot of Bone either. This would be my last Glasgow Curry for a month possibly, this is why I was here.
A single Chapatti accompanied, Light, relatively Thin and Fluffy, not the – Heavy Duty – ones normally served here and at Karahi Palace. The Chapatti was used to scoop the Masala, the Meat was eaten straight, only with this approach could I stand a chance.
The Masala was splitting in two before me. The Oil was collecting around the edge of the Karahi, Flavoursome in its own right, however, the Motherlode of Flavour was in the Thicker Masala, that which makes Yadgar stand out.
The Meat had the correct level of Chewiness, who likes Lamb one can eat through a straw? Three Sucky Bones were unearthed, presumably this was all – Leg of Lamb? So Rich and Distinctive, there is a type of – Stickiness – to the Goshat Karahi – Masala. The Masala coats the Meat, this Wonderful Blend of Meat and Masala. How do they achieve it?
The Spice and the Seasoning were very much an afterthought. I hadn’t even noticed the Spice Level, Moderate was my latter observation. It was at this point I realised why this Curry was so good, the Seasoning was absolutely – Spot on. Good? Magnificent! Yet The Hector limits his visits to Yadgar, one could not and should not do this too often. This is a – Treat.
The Chap across was still eating, I did not feel as if I was over indulging. Here was a Chap who knows how to enjoy himself also. A fine example of – Man v’s Kebab – to promote Will’s new Kebap Blog.
The Nameless Conveyor of Curry asked if he could do more. Anything else?
What more? People go out and spend fortunes on – Nouvelle Cuisine – and leave hungry. Don’t start me on – Sushi – never again. Come to Calder St., dine in a relaxed and informal setting, and have the Very Best of Curry.
I was down to my last few pieces of Lamb when Mr. Anwar Sr. emerged from the kitchen. The Staff have a habit of entering the kitchen past the Takeaway area before announcing their presence. I had a burning question regarding Naveed.
I see Naveed is in Iceland, when will he get to eat? The Sun does not set there at this time of year. This appeared to come as a surprise. An answer was not forthcoming. I shall have to ask Naveed next time I see him.
The Bill
£15.00 – the usual – Flat Fee.
The Aftermath
David saw my posted photos and suggested that what I had eaten was enough to feed a village.
It certainly fed The Hector.
It will be at Pak Taka Tak in Athena before I have a Curry in the same league as this, I wonder what levels of Blandness and Soup await afore?