Long before ‘t’Internet, Hector relied upon serendipity to discover worthy Curry Houses and still does to an extent. The area around terminus train stations has proved to be a happy hunting ground for Curry Cafes and Authentic Indo-Pak Cuisine. Google have made the task simpler, or have they, not today.
On my last visit to Paris in 2015, I achieved mixed results. Things improved for the better when Kassif from The Village (Glasgow) suggested I try Paris‘ equivalent of Brick Lane, i.e. – Passage Brady. For my lunchtime Curry Heute I was determined to find something outwith this concentration of Curry Houses, and it had to be Pakistani, not Indian. Lahore Lahore (158 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris) could be the place. Pakistani Restaurant Lahore Lahore (7 rue Jarry, 7 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris) appeared to tick all boxes.
Having walked down from Gare de L’est Marg and Hector found themselves on Rue du Faubourg. We found Rue Jarry easily but Google was now taking me in a different direction.
Walking down Rue de Faubourg we passed Sheezan (84 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris) and Shan (82 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris) before stumbling across Passage Brady and the Arch in the distance at Boulevard de Strasbourg.
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We were back in familiar territory. Determined to find any Lahore Lahore it was back to Rue Jarry where we found Lahore Sweet at the given address for Pakistani Restaurant Lahore Lahore, it did not sell Curry. On the same side street were Faisal and Sandhou. I decided Curry-Heute would be at either Sheezan or Shan.
Sheeezan was dark inside, in the depths were a crowd of Chaps, I could not see what they were eating. Next door is Shan, let’s have a look. Shan was empty, tablecloths, albeit Paper, stood out, a much more Pukka venue. Mein Host greeted in French, English was installed as the – Lingua Franca – the Menu was brought, all was set.
Why did I stay?
The Menu was simple, basic, excessively so. Specialities? – where? I might have rescued the moment by looking more closely at the Beef section, at least Keema Matar (€6.00) and Keema Allo (€6.00) were on offer. Hector as ever was trapped by the Lamb, Agneau Madras (€6.00) it would be. Parata Stuffe (€2.50) could not be ignored. As Rice appeared in a separate section I assumed it was not inclusive. I missed the statement: Tous les plats sont servis du riz.
Marg would try her Lunchtime Samosa routine. Samosas Legumes (€2.50) and Samosa Viande (€4.00) were her choices, the latter was not available. It was established that Capsicum was not part of the Madras. I later took a colourful photo of Red Capsicum at one of the many fruit shops on Rue du Faubourg, this could be a useful prop in the future. Two 500ml Bottles of Sparkling Water (€1.50) completed the Order.
Spoiling Hector’s day was thus avoided, or was it?
Shan remained empty for much of our visit, eventually two Chaps came in separately. One ordered Poulet Korma. I think we know what’s coming.
A plate of Curry with Rice was placed before the Hector. Wtf? If ever a Curry defined what I was not looking for, this was it. Six pieces of Meat sat in a thin, blended Masala. There was not enough Masala to declare this – Soup. More than half of the plate was covered in Rice.
The Paratha was better, much better. A sensible size, it was served whole and was stuffed with Peas and Potato. This was Soft, well Seasoned, Tasty. A success. Marg took a piece and coughed, there was Spice too.
Marg’s Samosas looked lonely on the plate despite the Garnish. The two Dips which has been brought earlier now had a purpose. Marg devoured the Samosas quite quickly then used the Raita to make her share of the Paratha more interesting. Marg was content:
Smaller than expected, but lovely. Very hot inside, freshly done.
Agneau Madras
This was another example of the scenario where I had to accept that Curry is Curry: so what’s not to like? The Curry was well Seasoned and had a decent Kick, not quite – Madras – strength in the UK if one wishes to return to that dubious scale. The Lamb itself was quite tasty and could be classed as – Tender – just. There was nothing in the Overall Flavour to suggest a Punjabi/Pakistani influence, this was a Curry of times gone by.
The Bill
€14.00 (£12.40) Appreciably cheaper than my meal in a – French Restaurant – last night.
The Aftermath
I introduced myself and the Curry-Heute Website. I explained to Mein Host that I travel far and wide eating Curry searching for Punjabi Cuisine in particular. Now he knows, I doubt if he was bothered.
After indulging Marg with a coffee at a Cafe adjacent to the Arch, we walked back up Rue du Faubourg. Beyond Rue Jarry, I spotted the large venue that is Sahil (106 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris). I crossed over to investigate further. Agneau Karahi, but €50.00 a Kilo? Who would pay that?
As I crossed back to fetch Marg she pointed to a Curry Cafe directly opposite Sahil – Lahore Lahore, another one. I became determined that tomorrow I was having a Curry at the first identified Lahore Lahore, regardless.
Waiting for Clive and Maggie at Gare du Nord, look who was first off the Eurostar. To paraphrase from Father Ted:
What’s that – Gobshite – doing in my Curry Blog?
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Shan – Menu Extracts
Well Hector I do not know if he is a Gobshite or not, I not being a political animal, but one thing for sure I do know. That curry looks shite. What was it Bush said about the French. Get back home soon and save your taste buds.
Hector replies:
My crystal ball tells me that worse it to come…