Mother expects Curry when she is taken for her now weekly Lidl Shopping. After last night’s feast with Bill & Tony at The Moti Mahal, Curry for Lunch was not exactly what the digestive system ordered, alas, Curry it had to be.
The Village Curry House (119 West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA) was chosen as the venue because Mother always enjoys their Lunchtime Menu Lamb Curry (£5.95). As dinner was planned for later today at home with Marg, this felt like the sensible option for Hector today also, keep it light.
Entering just before 14.00, the place was remarkably busy for the end of Lunchtime on a Tuesday. I counted eighteen Diners present and this number maintained throughout our stay. That it was appreciably warmer inside than out may have something to do with this. When is winter going to end?
Only one of the two regular Lunchtime Waitresses was on duty today, a new Chap took the Order. Vegetable Pakora to start, Lamb Curry with Rice for Mother and Naan for Hector. The Naan presumably would be less carbs than the Rice.
It’s been a while – said the Waitress when she brought the Jug of Water.
It was the first day of the snow – I responded – when we were last here. The – Beast from the East – had Hector housebound for four days.
When she brought the Dips for the Pakora she remembered Mother’s love of Mango Chutney and so went to fetch some. Always appreciated.
The Vegetable Pakora comprised of three quite large pieces. Three pieces was quite enough, Spicy, with Cumin Seeds adding even more Flavour.
The Lettuce is lovely and Crisp – remarked Mother.
Hector still wonders about the point of Lettuce. Millions of hectares given over to a crop which basically goes in the bin. Who would miss it?
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Lamb Curry – Lunchtime Portion
When the Lunchtime Lamb Curry comes with the Rice, one always feels that there is not enough. The discrete bowl makes such a difference psychologically, it looks more yet the portions must be identical. I counted five decent sized pieces of Lamb in my portion with a couple of tiddlers. I could have had on-the-bone for an extra 95p, would I have received as much?
The Naan took me by surprise, this was the same as served a la carte, it was huge. So much for my Light Lunch. As with last night at The Moti Mahal, this was a – proper – Tandoori Naan. It would have been pushing my luck to ask for Chilli and Coriander I suppose?
The Blended Masala was thinner than my normal Karahi preference. Most importantly, it gave off the classic – Village Taste, comfort food. Somehow the Meat was even Hotter in temperature than the Masala. The Meat was also giving Flavour, a Curry with Pedigree. What was not to enjoy? A decent feed at a decent price.
Mother was unusually quiet as she ate. The occasional – delicious – was uttered. She has been here often enough, she knows the score. The Quantity of Meat, Masala and Rice suits here. The Mango Chutney of course changes the Flavour completely. Yesterday in a moment of madness, I wrote about the possibility of going out for a – Chicken Tikka Masala. Today I realise that I have not cooked – Chicken Patia – since the founding of this Blog. Chicken Patia used to be a favourite at Hector’s House, we grew tired of it. Watch out in the middle of next week. Meanwhile, here is the Recipe.
The new Chap cleared the table and engaged Mother in conversation. She managed to get in that my love of Curry is all down to her, true. She liked the attention. Thank you.
I approached the counter to pay.
Table 1 – said the Chap who must be a member of the Family Baig. He was on the ball.
The Bill
£11.90. One has to like the price.
The Aftermath
Spaghetti Bolognaise for dinner. Hector does a mean – Spag Bol – though the best I have ever tasted was on Capri in the square at the top of the – other hill.