Hector was home for some nine hours between arriving back from Gdansk and setting off for The Bradford Beer Festival. The only hiatus in the entire journey was last night at Glasgow Queen St. where only one Doris was selling tickets for the entire station. My ticket is not available in the machines, people were queuing to get refunds for the lack of #1 seating from Aberdoom, a needless hold up.
The first Bradford Curry of this week was at Bradford’s oldest Curry House: Karachi Restaurant (15 Neal St., Bradford BD5 0BX). I had arranged to met Ricky, The Man from Bradford, aka – The Rickmeister – at 13.00. I arrived punctually to find Dr. Stan outside, Ricky was late.
With a handful of diners in situ we took a table for six such is the way the tables are arranged. We had plenty of space. A jug of Water and two portions of the Modest Salad were brought immediately, we informed the Waiter that we were three, we would wait before ordering.
Kofta Palak is what was foremost in Hector’s mind, a dish first experienced at this venue in the company of Ricky and Marg back in 2010. These were the early days of Curry-Heute.
Ricky glanced at the Menu then cast it aside stating that he didn’t know why he had bothered, he already knew what he was having – Meat Ball Spinach (£7.00). Hector chose the same with the Madras option for an extra 30p. Dr. Stan chose from the – Rick Stein Special – section of the Menu: Meat Spinach Karahi (£7.50). As is the Bradford way, three Chapattis each were inclusive. Note this all from Aberdoom who cannot afford to travel #1 Class!
The Salad was Minimal, the Yoghurt deserves a special mention, this was particularly tasty, creamy, I retained some for mopping up with my share of the Chapattis.
Meat Ball Spinach
The Portion comprised of four Kofta topped with a sprinkling of Fresh Coriander. Each would be halved then halved again. The more I ate, the more I appeared to have, this Portion was deceptive. The Spice was there, the Seasoning was not, it needed more, though Ricky thought otherwise. Tomato had been cooked into the Masala which looked so simple, yet so full of Flavour. This was a Masala with Spinach as I prefer, not a plateful of Green Herbs with Spice as some venues resort to.
Meat Spinach Karahi
This had the appearance of a Classic Bradford Curry, small cut Meat in a Thick but Minimal Masala. Once again the Spinach was present, not dominant.
Dr. Stan enjoyed his selection:
Excellent as usual … this was good, as spicy as I wanted, hard to fault it.
Ricky ordered a taxi to take him to Saltaire, Dr. Stan planned to walk up to North Parade to meet the rest of The Company, instead he was hijacked. Hector was left to settle up.
The Bill
£21.80 I never actually saw one, I just took the pile of cash up to the counter.
The Aftermath
I am not known here, visits have been few. This shall be rectified.
This was the first Curry of today, Sheesh Mahal later.
