Lord Clive of Crawley once complained to Hector that the coverage of Sheffield in Curry-Heute was blank. Hector has been enjoying Curry in this City for approaching twenty years, the majority of these were before the birth of this Blog. One is doing one’s best to rectify this, however, it is not helped by the lack of venues open at Lunchtime or better still, mid afternoon which I regard as the Optimum Time to eat Curry.
After an afternoon spent mostly at the Kelham Island Tavern and then Shakespeare, Craig and Yvonne were first to break off for Curry next door at 7 Spices Balti (Mayfair Court, 120 Gibraltar St., Sheffield S3 8PP England). Four more would follow on, Hector had other plans. Lahori Dhera Grill & Steakhouse has been enjoyed four times already. Jonathan reported it closed for renovation last year, surely by now…
Clive would join Hector on his sojourn to Wicker. Gulshan Balti House was the intended fall back. Crossing the River Don, we would arrive at Wicker in minutes. I heard my name being called, it was Craig and Yvonne.
The waiter at 7 Spices Balti had recognised them, and even remarked that they were Friends of Hector. Fame at last. To change my choice of venue and bask in my newfound glory was dismissed, Hector was on a mission. On turning the corner into Wicker, the first thing I noticed was a branch of Kebabish, a Chain which I know some people love. (Where is their Curry actually cooked?) 
Lahori Dhera was closed, with no further information, and a now defunct phone number, I can only conclude that they have gone. Gulshan Balti House was closed also, but the tables were set, a rest day? A Diner selling Curry – Khyber – is one for the future. There was no choice, 7 Spices Balti it would be.
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We walked back from Wicker to Gibraltar Street, from whence we had come, and down the few steps into 7 Spices Balti. Dr. Stan, Mags, Howard and Tracey were on the verge of receiving their Mains. Mein Host recognised me instantly, hands were shaken. I am Hector.
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Mein Host conducted the ritual which makes 7 Spices Balti a special venue: the reheating of the Karahi and their contents at the table. One should never receive Tepid Curry here. I did observe pieces of Green Capsicum in some Dishes, Mein Host assured me these were not necessary. I did my best to convince him that they should simply be excluded from all Curry interpretations.
Mags did not see her usual Aloo Gosht on the Menu and so ordered Lamb Chops Karahi (£8.50) as did Howard.
Dr. Stan chose Lamb Methi, my choice of Curry on the first visit on January 1st, 2016. Tracey, who loves Paneer, went for Chicken Paneer Peas.
Lemon Cashew Rice, Chilli Naan (£3.00) and Paratha were also on the table as Hector ran around recording the moment. Dr. Stan subsequently admitted that Curry does not taste – Proper – if Hector has not photographed it! Aye right.
Lamb Methi
Howard announced that he was thoroughly enjoying his Lamb Chops Karahi, but with only four Chops I found this off-putting, I hatched a plan. Persuade Clive to have the same, and order three portions. Clive wanted to return to his fallback – Dansak.
Being of assistance, I found – Lamb Spicy Daal – (
£8.75) which looked promising. Clive was determined, Chicken Dansak (£6.95) it had to be.
This is what I want!
Assuming more Meat and less Bone, I chose Lamb Karahi (£8.50).
We were in agreement on the accompaniment – Keema Paratha (£2.95). Soda Water (£2.00) and a pint of Cobra (£4.00) completed the Order. Meanwhile, a pile of Complimentary Poppadoms and Dips had been presented. Clive tore into these whilst I ensured my record keeping was as accurate as possible.
At the adjacent table, Mags declared:
The Lamb Chops were lovely.
Howard made one of his customary speeches:
The Lemon Cashew Rice was perfectly acceptable, the Chilli Naan was bland. I felt that four chops was a small portion, but Mags gave me one of her chops which had more meat on it than two of mine. A slight disappointment but the staff were friendly and welcoming.
Of her Chicken Paneer Peas, Tracey stated:
The Paneer was gorgeous and soft. The Chicken was dry and hard, too tough.
There was even an extended quote from Dr. Stan re his Lamb Methi:
A good Curry, well presented. A rich taste, what you want, happy to go back.
Mein Host was happy to chat in the interlude. He told us part of his life story, and how he came to work in this trade. We were informed that the premises are about to undergo a radical redesign next month. We timed our visit well. I had to ask about the Lahori Dhera, he was non committal regarding its future but did offer an alternative – Mirpuri Tawa – as a source of Desi Curry. Hector has only scratched the surface of Curry in Sheffield, my tried and trusted venues are long since gone.
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The Keema Paratha passed the test, the hoped for Brown Grains of Mince were present, not the Pink – Donner-like – interiors served at too many venues. Served in Quarters and Stuffed, Layering and Flakiness no longer becomes an expectation. There’s a challenge to a Bread Chef.
Chicken Dansak
The Chicken Dansak was a Dry-Thick Mass. If I had ordered this Dish, I would have been very pleased to receive this, as far from – Soup – as I have ever seen this Curry. I am left to wonder how different the Lamb Spicy Daal would have been.
Clive made short work of his Dansak, a Chicken Curry.
I know you don’t approve, but this was bloody n*** .
It fulfilled all my expectations.
One happy diner then.
Lamb Karahi
Without the Capsicum Ballast, Chef has resorted to overloading with Large Onion Slices. I did not order Dopiaza. The Portion was not huge, I would have preferred to pay a couple of Quid more and been given more. Here lies the dilemma of keeping prices down, and giving a Portion that should be manageable if one has had a Starter. Ignoring these aberrations, the appearance was otherwise pleasing, a Minimal Masala, again suitably Thick.
The Spice Level was Significant but well short of Ridiculous. The Flavour was – Son of Bradford – my first full on taste of Methi in nearly a month. The Meat varied from Tender to Chewy and felt part of the Dish, not a late minute add-on.
How is your food? – asked Mein Host.
I feel as if I am twenty miles from Bradford.
This was understood to be praise. I then asked if he had heard of Sarina’s (Queensbury-Bradford) where I am due to have Lunch tomorrow. He has now.
The Bill
£28.45. This was on Clive, Rent. Didn’t he do well?
The Aftermath
Some – farewell to the current Decor – photos were taken.
Until next time.
