Vancouver, Washington, is directly north of Portland, Oregon, across the Columbia River. Our – Tri Met – Day Ticket was valid across here simplifying our day exploring the Brewpubs. Dr. Stan couldn’t work out why we were not taking the Yellow Line towards the northern extremity of Portland, Hector’s route took us further East to C-Tran Fisher’s Landing Transit Centre. Here we were most certainly not in Vancouver proper but an archetypal, almost featureless, US city suburb.
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It was a five minute walk up Interstate 205 to Chutneys Indian Restaurant and Grocery Store (3000 SE 164th Ave #100, Vancouver, WA 98683 USA) located in a shopping parade. Arriving at 12.30, I was impressed to see around fifteen fellow diners already in situ, but then, the Americans do like their – Buffet. The Buffet was on offer at $10.95, this was sufficient for Dr. Stan. Hector was determined to have a la carte. The Waitress brought the Menu then forgot about me, she was so apologetic once she realised that Dr. Stan had finished his first round and I was still waiting, patiently.
The Menu was not extensive, the basics, I had six Lamb Dishes to choose from, Lamb Vindaloo avoided all I did not seek in a Curry. Potentially it might clear my head. All the Lamb Courses were $15.00 with a choice of Basmati or Naan included, I chose Rice. It’s a pity that Kadai ($14.00) was only available in Chicken. Spicy was my choice of heat, I have never tasted any US-Indian-Mexican food that has been challenging.
The Jolly Green Giant
Dr. Stan had a plateful of mostly Greens. I was left to speculate as to what was on offer, I have never seen Dr. Stan make such a choice before. Green Beans and Bhindi Masala covered most of the pate, but there almost obscured was – Goat Curry. Why was there no – Goat – on the Main Menu?
Once this was devoured he came back with a more recognisable selection: Chicken Tikka, Saag, Chana Masala, and a lot more Goat Curry. The Goat Curry was clearly a winner.
The Buffet today was a cut above that presented yesterday at Tandoor Indian Kitchen across the Columbia River in Portland.
If you need more Rice, ask – said the Waitress when she brought my Curry and Rice.
That will be quite enough – was my response. For once, a well judged Rice Portion.
However, who is looking at the Rice? Get that Red!
Red Indian Curry
The Lamb and Masala was piled high, I have seen seen so much Curry in this size of bowl, there was no need to count, though I was happy to find twice as much Lamb as Potato. It’s Red – said Dr. Stan. It’s Red – said everyone on a Social Medium when I posted the photo. This was not natural, this was the definitive example of Red Food Dye being overused. Eating Red Potatoes, very strange.
The Meat was in large chunks, indeed there was plenty of it. The Texture varied from Tender to slightly Chewy, still within acceptable parameters. The Masala was Red, Oily, Blended, with slices of Onion mixed in too. This Vindaloo had Spice but was not demanding, the Seasoning was there, just. Red Food Dye can destroy the Flavour of everything else, I was not aware of this today.
Herbs, it needed more Herbs. I could see traces of what I assumed was Coriander, or Cilantro as it is called over here. It needed more. Will I ever see Methi? I picked out both Green and Black Cardamoms, the basis for an Excellent Curry was here, it was just not how I would expect a Curry to be presented. But then, that’s the Chef’s choice, his interpretation.
I don’t normally do rankings, but this was probably the second best Curry I have had on this USA Trip to date.
The Bill
$16.26 (£12.04) We paid separately, I have no issues with this price.
The Aftermath
The Waitress took the Calling Card before I had a chance to explain the relevance. When she returned with the change, I had to mention my abhorrence at the colour of the Curry. I had seen Mein Host briefly, I had hoped to make his acquaintance, sadly, not to be.
As we departed so I took photos of the Buffet. The Chicken Makhani looked like no other I had seen before, just Chicken in Cream then? Dr. Stan continued to be very positive about the Goat Curry.
Chutneys Indian Restaurant and Grocery Store: it was at the door that we spotted the Grocery Store, access partly blocked by a perambulator. On investigation, I saw the same packets of Spice Mix which prevail across the planet, so, not much Fresh Ingredients available? It was Dr. Stan who spotted the boxes on the end of the shelf. Methi! Get it in the Curry!
Later, at the Tap Union Freehouse (660 USA), Hector ordered a Smoked Pork Taco.
Every time I have so called Mexican food, it is Cold, Wet and Bland. The Taco arrived, I could feel warmth, the coverings were not wet and slimy, this was actually within my definition of – Dry. The Topping of Parsley was a let down, if only it could have been Coriander/Cilantro. A Sauce accompanied, I poured it over and began…
Bloody Hell! This was Eleven on the Spice Scale! I knew it was possible, I have just never experienced anything like it. The pain was exquisite. It was like hitting oneself over the head with a brick, it was great when it stopped. I ate every morsel. Where has this been all my life? I have a new friend, he is called – Habanero. Finally, Mexican food to be taken seriously.
Menu Extracts at Chutneys
