Tram 8 appears to be a recurring feature of travel in Poznan. Kwiat Peonii (plac Wielkopolski 5, 60-101 Poznan, Polska) is located on the Flower Market Square which is the stop before Male Garbary for Piwna Stopa, one of the best Hostelries in Polska.
I entered Kwiat Peonii at 13.45 this Sunday Lunchtime and was impressed by the number of Diners, perhaps a dozen, enough to prevent me taking photos of the Restaurant’s interior. Today was not a good for photos.
The front of house staff were all quite young, a feature of many Polish Restaurants, though I did see a Mature Lady wandering around as if she owned the place. Perhaps she did.
A Waitress brought the Menu and took my Drinks Order, two 330ml Bottles of Sparkling Water (Zl 5.00), Hector is living the life. The Menu was quite Diverse, Kwiat Peonii may promote itself as an – Indian Restaurant – however, the Cuisines of – other nations – are available. Pasta Curry (Zl 25.00), anyone? Seafood Pasta (Zl 38.00) is one to note for the future, especially if I ever come here with Marg.
Hector was here for Curry-Heute, Handi Meat (Zl 39.00) would feature Vegetables also, Meat and Masala is not really enough. Chunks of Mutton – whoever did their Menu has a thing for – chunks. It is worth pointing out that various Pork Curry Dishes were available, something one does not see much of in the UK.
The Waitress took the Order. I was offered the choice of Rice or Roti, inclusive as is the European way.
Kwiat Peonii looks nothing like a Curry House. The room is bright, modern, and from where I sat beside a pillar, I could not see any of the accoutrements which adorn such places normally. This was a Polish Curry House.
A cold plate was set before me, the Waitress then placed the Karahi on the plate, strange. The Rice for once in Europe was exactly what Hector considers to be a Portion, there would be no wastage here. Once decanted, I noted the presence of Peas, just a few, but a nice touch.
Handi Meat
Look at this Curry! Meat, an array of Vegetables, Minimal Masala and two Red Chillies protruding from the mass. As I have written oft, and even related last week to the Charming Lady at The Indian on Skirving Street (Glasgow), a Handi can be anything Chef wishes it to be. This Handi did indeed look like a – Hector Curry.
The Meat, cut in a variety of sizes, reached double figures, then there were the Vegetables. More Peas, Carrots and Broccoli too, Excellent. Hector has been aiming to eat more Vegetable Curry but is always seduced by Meat or Fish. The Masala was absolutely Minimal, the Driest Curry I have been served in Poland, this is how Curry should be. The Masala was soaked by the Rice and so disappeared quickly. Anticipation is all.
The Meat was decidedly Tender, as good as the very best of venues. The Vegetables were cooked but still retained a – Crunch, just the way I like them – al dente. The Spice Level was at the lower end of the scale, the Seasoning was difficult to assess. This was a Curry that had great potential, would it be realised?
Cumin was the first Flavour to register on the palate, Powder I assume, I saw no Seeds. In time I bit into some Cardamom, had I not done so I would never have noticed its presence. The Red Chillies were set aside, one does not eat these – Beasts – but hopes they have done their job adding both Spice and a Smokey Flavour to a Curry. Not today, nothing.
Optimism was turning to disappointment. This Curry was lacking in Bite, lacking in Flavour, perhaps down to the lack of Seasoning. One takes the Toppings of Ginger Strips and Fresh Coriander for granted these days. They were not here, I missed them. What else was – not – in this Curry? A badly needed infusion of Flavour was required, whether it be more Spice or probably – Herbs. I wonder if – Frozen Methi – has reached these parts yet? A Sprinkling of – Dry Methi – would have enhanced this Dish. It has been a while since I have asked for the latter in a Restaurant. I must try this again, it always challenges waiters.
This Handi Meat had great potential. I ate every morsel. Its – Visual Perfection – flattered to deceive. Chef needs to be braver, go for it!
The Waitress came to clear the table, I had heard her Polish, her English, she asked the customary question:
Geshmeckt?
Actually, no – is the comment that should have been the reply. Where was – The Taste?
The Bill
Zl 49.00 (£10.29) A fair price.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was given to the Waitress who was now back to speaking English. I established that Kwiat Peonii has been open for five months. That was it, the Mature Lady was still present, we had no interaction.
I shall certainly return to Kwait Peonii and see if I can get a Curry with more – Oomph.
The – To The Bone – Tour
The last time I saw Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) live was at Sala Ziemi here in Poznan in April 2016. Hector is back, an Opperchancity not to be missed. This is an excellent venue at which to see a concert, for that is what a Steven Wilson performance is, the comfortable seats in spacious rows made the two and a half hour performance survivable, Hector cannot stand for that length of time any more. That the seat beside me in Row C was not occupied is for others to discuss.
Mr. Wilson made it very clear that he did not wish to see people with phones held high recording (badly) snippets of the show. As a result, I have only a couple of photos and they are not up to standard. No photos, no review. Needless to say the selection of – songs – performed was most satisfactory. We were treated to – Arriving Somewhere But Not Here – (Deadwing – PT), a long time personal favourite. Such is the size of the back catalogue, one cannot have everything, though – Hand Cannot Erase.
