Having cooked for thirteen yesterday, it was Hector the Chef’s day off. Marg was convinced that the Aberdeen Curry Houses would all be closed this evening, why should Boxing Day make a difference?
We have not been to Shri Bheema’s (Balgownie Road, Nevis Business Park, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB22 8NT) since the middle of last year, our focus has been on Aberdeen’s two other Recommended Curry Houses – Lahore Karahi – and – Ambal’s Restaurant – both in the city centre. This evening we drove north to Bridge of Don. Despite being brought up in Aberdoom, Marg was still unsure of the Balgownie Rd. turn-off. Behold – a sign! How Seasonal! After years of negotiating with the local council, Shri Bheema’s now have brown tourist signs to aid navigation. They badly needed this, one could still drive past and never know the Restaurant was there.
Entering at 20.00, two tables were occupied. Presumably the rest of the population was at home having leftover Turkey this evening. I half recognised the sole Waiter, Tony. By the time the camera had been put to good use he had recognised me.
Do you still have your Blog? – asked Tony.
Yes, over seven million hits presently.
The Menus were brought, a Large Bottle of Sparkling Water (£3.99) was arranged.
This may only be our fifth visit to Shri Bheema’s at Bridge of Don, however, I am very familiar with many of the Dishes on offer thanks to my visit with the Lomond Hockey Girls in March 2015.
Marg was hungry and so declared a Poppadom (£1.00) and Dips (£1.00) would be ordered ahead of her choice of this evening from the Specials: Kanchi Lamb Curry (£18.99), which at this price comes with Rice. I was puzzled by the – Two Chilli – rating when the description clearly says – Mild. Coconut aside, this Dish did look appealing. Marg offered to have something else if I chose this.
Tony was back, I asked for more time, I was determined to have something different from my normal Handi/Bhuna here. He made suggestions including the Chettinad Masala (£11.99). I told him I had had this in Fish (by arrangement on my first visit) but found the Masala to be – Too Thin. I described the – Masala – at Indian Mango (München). He offered to arrange a Thicker Masala. Other suggestions included the Dreaded Capsicum.
I decided to go back to basics: Hot Madras (£11.99) with a – Three Chilli – rating, and sod the Coconut, it was surely worth a try? A Paratha (£3.99) completed the Order.
We watched a couple attack a Dosa at a nearby table, never had one, not even in India. I am years overdue a return to Banana Leaf (Glasgow) where I first encountered these. Once again I was amused by the large photo on the wall facing me of the Taj Mahal without scaffolding. Some people get all the luck.
The Order arrived, the Hot Madras served in a Karahi-like metal bowl, Marg’s Kanchi Lamb Curry in a soup plate. Why serve a Curry in this manner when the Rice is included? One then has to pour Rice on top of the Curry, not the traditional opposite. The Rice was the standard Euro-measure, way more than a normal person would eat, enough to share.
No thank you
Marg examined her Curry, Meat, very light coloured Meat, in a Soupy Masala. This was not Lamb. Tony was summoned. The Chicken Curry was taken away. We were puzzled as to how a Curry with Lamb in its name could turn into a Chicken Curry. This left the Rice, some of which I was hoping to have. Depending on how long it would take to serve up the Kanchi Lamb Curry would determine if the temperature of the Rice would still be acceptable. This matter was resolved when Tony took the Rice away moments later.
This left Hector with a Paratha, and what a Paratha. At Shri Bheema’s, they serve up the near Perfect Paratha. It was Soft, Layered, Flaky, Hot, and served Whole, Excellent. It should have been Larger to justify the price. Here I can eat a Whole Paratha, there are very few venues where I come close.
Hot Madras
The appearance was very Traditional, Meat served in a Blended Masala, no Vegetables. I had considered ordering a Vegetable Side. The Masala was far from Shorva, a reasonable level of Viscosity had been achieved. I counted nine pieces of Meat, one was more significantly more chewy than the rest. The Lamb pieces were a decent size, there was enough Meat. It became apparent that without Rice, the Paratha would not last, not helped by Marg snaffling a bit.
The Flavour was Outstanding! Here was the Classic – South Indian – Smoky Taste, a feature of quite a few Dishes at Shri Bheema’s. I knew this Curry was going to be devoured. The Seasoning was right up there along with the Level of Spice. Whole Green Chillies added to the Bite. Curry Leaves were picked out and set aside. When Marg’s Curry arrived, I decanted what remained of mine to my plate and took some of the Surplus Rice. Here I encountered Cloves and Green Cardamom, Aromatic Rice, Splendid.
The Hot Madras was a sheer joy to eat. The Hector subconscious had taken me here to make this choice. Coconut? I was never aware of any. Perhaps it is roasted/toasted Coconut which is fundamental in creating this South Indian Curry Flavour. I have always put it down to Smoked Red Chillies, more investigation required.
Kanchi Lamb Curry
Tamil Nadu – it says in the description. One cannot get further South in India, yet when I took a Soupçon it tasted more Punjabi than South Indian. Marg’s Kanchi Lamb Curry was again presented in a soup plate, this time in Lamb and with a much Thicker Masala. What had she been given before?
Whole Green Chillies (not eaten), Curry Leaves and Tomato featured. Marg’s first comments included – Good kick – and – Tender Lamb. On realising how Large the Meat was, Marg set about cutting the pieces in half. She encountered a Blast of Ginger but we saw no Ginger Strips.
A lovely rich flavour – was the verdict. Marg could not finish her Curry, the hunger sated, three small-cut pieces of Meat came my way with a little Masala. The final grains of Rice were decanted. This Curry had an Earthy Flavour, something quite different from the Mainstream. A South Indian Curry without the Smokey Flavour, and once more, the Coconut was not obtrusive.
Did you enjoy? – asked Tony when he came to clear the table.
I had taken a photo, it is rare that we both leave shiny plates.
The plates speak for themselves – was my reply.
The Comedy Continues
Marg fancied a Coffee.
Can I have an Extra Hot Milky Coffee?
What appeared to be a Sugar Bowl was placed on the table. It was just as well Marg checked….Kulfi. Tony was called back….the Kulfi was taken away.
A Latte was brought with an extra jug of Hot Milk.
In effect Marg now had two Coffees given how weak she likes her Coffee. Had – Extra Hot Milky Coffee – been interpreted as – Extra Hot Milk?
For her top up, Marg fancied another Chocolate Mint. Her wish was granted.
She established at this point that the Milk Saga was in fact a deliberate act. Marg will be having Coffee here again.
The Bill
£39.96. The Coffee was on the house, there was also no charge for the Dips.
The Aftermath
Say – Hi – to Anitha – I said as we departed.
There was a dusting of snow, here we go….