Within an hour of arriving in Whitby, Hector found himself inside Passage to India (30-31 Windsor Terrace, Whitby YO21 1ET England). That was two days ago, I established that the Restaurant was open all afternoon and not just evenings as Sources suggest. I also took time to study the Menu and found two Dishes that could be worthy of further investigation:
Lamb Kam (£10.45) – A deliciously unique dish of tender spicy lamb, cooked with fresh green chillies in chef ’s own special sauce, garnished with coriander (very hot).
Raan Ki Juhl (£12.95) – Grilled lamb chops cooked with onions, tamarind and aromatic spices, garnished with coriander and served in a cast iron wok.
An afternoon opening is what normally suits Hector, however, such was the quality of Breakfast served at our B&B I had to wait my time. Kippers for Breakfast, on three consecutive mornings, Mmmm. The Landlady also informed us that Passage to India was closed last year by the Hygiene Inspectors. They have reportedly got their act together and have improved markedly.
Last night Marg and Hector dined across the bay at Indian Moments which impressed. They appeared to be a new offshoot from Passage to India. Somewhere in this saga is a Thai Restaurant which has relocated into the Railway Station opposite Passage to India.
We arrived this evening at 19.40 to find Passage to India stowed, aided perhaps by Indian Moments being closed on Mondays. Many people have decided that Curry might warm them up, summer disappeared from the East Coast of England today. The Waiter greeted us, took our name and asked us to come back in twenty minutes. I suggested thirty, time for a pint, 20.00 was written, so it goes.
After a very swift half at the Station Inn we were back. Same story.
At 20.05 the Waiter said:
Table for two, there will be a wait.
So why tell us to come back in twenty minutes having taken our booking?
The Barmaid became involved, saying they could not guarantee a time. Marg repeated the mantra:
You told us to come back in twenty minutes. The Waiter then realised he had seen us before and promised a table in a few minutes.
The Barmaid then came out from behind the Bar and approached us taking a different track, offering us drinks. We said we would prefer to wait until we were seated, meanwhile the Main Room was full, lots of Lager being consumed.
The same Waiter led us to a table at 20.18 and would be ours until near the end of our stay.
Given how busy the Restaurant was, we decided to share a Starter, it could be a long wait until our Order for Mains bubbled up. A Mixed Kebab (£4.25) should suffice.
The Drinks Order was given, two Small Bottles of Sparkling Water (£1.80). The Waiter asked if we wished Poppadoms.
Are you giving or selling? – I asked.
Selling, I’d love to give.
We were warming to him.
Marg asked for Bhindi Gosht (£9.95) but was told they were out of – Bhindi. Akbari Machi Masala (£10.50) – Steak pieces of lean Bangladeshi fish, cooked with fresh tomato, herb and spices, garnished with coriander – was now her choice, and could possibly have been mine too. I would take advice regarding my alternatives.
I seek Lamb, in a Dry, Thick Masala and no Capsicum.
I was advised that both my Lamb Choices had Capsicum but these could be withheld. The Lamb Kam apparently would have the Thicker Masala. We would share a Special Fried Rice (£3.95) and a Plain Paratha (£2.95).
We settled down for the wait. Sat next to the entrance to the Kitchen, we could see all that passed by. What I deduced to be Balti, looked to have suitably Thick Masala also. A Chap at an adjacent table received what Marg guessed to be Pasanda, a classic Soupy Curry for those who like that sort of thing. Another Chap had Chips to accompany his Curry and Rice. The majority of what I saw impressed, visually at least. Unfortunately, the Breads were all served Quartered and were decidedly – Small.
Mixed Kebab
The service impressed immediately. The Plate of Mixed Kebab was accompanied by a second plate with some Salad, a good touch. Marg divvied up The Bits: Chicken Tikka, Onion Bhajee and Seekh Kebab. Marg liked the Crispiness of the Onion in the Bhaji. The Seekh Kebab was decidedly Small and was served too Dry. The Chicken Tikka was Succulent.
That was lovely – declared Marg.
As anticipated, it was after 21.00 when our Mains arrived. Two Hot Plates were placed before us. A passing Waiter looked at these, yet another Waiter changed them for Larger Plates.
The Special Fried Rice, which had Egg and Peas, was enough to share – just. The Paratha looked inviting, Layered and Flaky, exactly how it should be. The Paratha glistened, a Butter Coating.
*
Lamb Kam
Served on a bed of Lettuce, the Lamb Kam had the hoped for Thick and Minimal Masala. Whole Green Chillies were mixed through. I had to decant and so used the Paratha to mop up the remaining Masala stuck to the Lettuce. The Buttery Paratha gave off huge amounts of Flavour, quite a new Taste Experience. Marg found the Paratha to be too Oily for her liking. I would reach another conclusion.
The Lamb looked Dark, shrouded with the Onion-rich Masala, I considered the possibility that this was Lamb Tikka but could see no holes, Grilled? The Lamb Portion was – Huge – well into Double figures, a lot of Meat here. Tender to Chewy was recorded. The Spice Level was very much at the top end of the scale, this Curry had a Kick. There was no need to eat the Green Chillies, the Masala was powerful enough.
Marg was finished long before me, as I ate on, the Level of Spice on the palate kept building. I can cope with this, however, I knew that this Dish only really had – Heat – the dominant Flavour was from the Buttery Paratha, the Curry itself was giving off very little. Spice at the expense of Flavour, this is not how Curry is meant to be. Still, Tikka Lamb was foremost in my mind, or had the Meat been well and truly marinaded?
I enjoyed this, not that anyone asked, but tempering the Spice could have have made it so much better.
Akbari Machi Masala
What looked very much like Dopiaza was served on a Fish-shaped plate. The long strands of Onion and occasional pieces of the Dreaded Ballast meant that once again, Marg had ended up with the Curry she tries to avoid. It just keeps coming her way.
Definitely got a kick, for me – was her opening remark.
I took a sample of the Masala on some Paratha, once again all I could taste was the Bread.
Flaky Fish, and enough of it – Marg continued – I don’t like big chunks of Onion.
Very satisfying, a lovely change.
Marg left the Capsicum. Why was it there in the first place?
When our Waiter came to clear the table I had to say something about the Lamb Kam:
The Menu said it was Hot, it was Hot.
Not for the scared – was his response.
He had looked after us well despite the Restaurnat still being very busy. We asked for The Bill.
The Bill
£39.70. We had been charged £8.50 for our single Mixed Kebab. In noting – (2p) – for our intent to share, whoever did the addition had charged us twice. Another Waiter came to sort this – £35.45.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was given to to the Waiter who dealt with the cash. He apologised for not offering the best of service given how busy they were and acknowledged that – a man of your Curry knowledge – may not have been given the best they could.
I went out of my way to thank – Our Waiter – as we departed.
I note the staff photo on the website still features Mein Host from Indian Moments.