Today is Day 1 of a three week trip, much Curry shall be consumed, hopefully some of it will be worthy of a Hector. By Saturday, Hector should be reporting from San Francisco where three Punjabi Restaurants have already been identified. Meanwhile, Dr. Stan’s Big Birthday Trip commences today in Manchester. Within thirty minutes of arrival, Hector was being served at Kabana (22 Back Turner St., Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 1LQ England).
Arriving at 12.40, one of the Chefs was out front, he recognised me and shook my hand as did Rizwan, Mein Host. Another Chap who does front of house matters also smiled. Hector is known here. I revealed to Rizwan the purpose of being in Manchester, he wished he was coming with us. Hector is – leading the life.
I studied the Specials Board, Lamb Karahi on-the-bone would normally be my choice, however, I realised coming down on the train from Glasgow this morning that I have never tried – Rice & Three Curries – at Kabana. This is a Manchester thing, an idea that one day may spread north. It is made possible by having all the food Hot, ready, whereas in Glasgow the prepared food is reheated to order.
Rizwan arranged a generous plateful of Rice on the plate. He was slightly concerned that he then splashed some Masala from the Lamb Karahi across the edge of the plate. No problem. Keema Peas was my next choice with Spinach and Potatoes to complete the trilogy. Quite a plateful, this was diverse, but at Kabana there’s more.
Freshly chopped Coriander, Ginger and Green Chillies are at the serving counter, help yourself. A forest of Vegetation now covered my Curry, Excellent.
I took a seat at an empty table, one has to be prepared to share. Tuesday is a quieter day, by 13.00 people were sharing.
I should have had this before. The Spinach and Potatoes were tackled first, perhaps not so impressive alone, but when the Coriander and Chillies kicked in, the pleasure rating increased measurably. The Keema Mutter was sampled next. Served in a most Minimal of Masalas as it should be, Chapattis would be the normal accompaniment. I had enough moisture from the Saag Aloo and Karahi. By this point I was eating Mince with six Vegetables, a superb array of Flavours and Textures were on the palate. Finally it was time to add the Lamb Karahi to the Manchester ritual. Served on-the-bone, though only one Bone was present on my plate, this was when the Big Curry Flavour hit home. Back to the Keema, I then had Rara Gosht in effect. I was determined not to leave one grain of Rice and so systematically worked my way around the plate. This was a tremendous lunch. I shall most certainly be repeating this. I see now what the attraction is, the Best of Everything.
Rizwan had already picked up that I had posted two photos on a Social Medium. He came over to chat. Had I realised that I had shown the ceiling, now damaged due to a water spill from his new apartments above? I doubt if anyone had noticed or was bothered, everyone was too busy eating. The Ladies at the adjacent had a plate of Lamb Chops, probably a double portion. One was describing her appreciation of the Chops being so well cooked. A Chap sharing their table had a plateful of Sikh Kebabs, Bread arrived too. Rizwan took a photo of us all, the joy of eating at Kabana.
The Bill
£6.30 as advertised.
The Aftermath
I bade farewell, I might squeeze in a return visit this week. Now to find Dr. Stan. How many times will I be writing that over the next three weeks?