The day began with Curryspondent Doug questioning if Storm Hector, caused by an excess of so called – Chicken Curry – here in USA, had taken its toll: days here without Curry and my enthusiasm waning. There was a brief – Wow! – at India Grill (Portland OR), but yesterday’s visit to Qazis here in Seattle made me question what I was doing. Suppose there are no decent Curry Houses? I decided to stick to the plan and visit Chili’s South Indian Cuisine (4220 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105 USA). Kerala Cuisine is not my favoured but I do love Chettinad. Indian Mango (München) have set the Chettinad Standard, but I believe they have altered what they now serve, to me at least, to reduce the former abundant Masala. The Smoked Chilli Flavour remains Universal.
Dr. Stan’s absence for Curry-Heute was a tacit declaration of – enough blandness already. I arrived at Chili’s shortly before 13.00 and was given a table for two nearest the door. I could see the place was busy, thirty something customers were already there, family groups. With only three tables left and the window stool tables, Chili’s was about to fill up this Saturday lunchtime. There was no Buffet today, and they were this busy?
I acquired a Menu only after reminding one of the two Waitresses that I did not have one. They were in limited supply from what I could see and with so many still to order, I wondered what I had let myself in for.
Whilst I waited to be served something became apparent: the clientele were mostly Indian, cue a cliché. The fullness of the Restaurant also restricted my photographic coverage – excuse me, do you mind if I take a photo of your Curry? – not happening.
My Order was finally taken: Chettinad Goat (Bone-In) (very Spicy) ($16.99) – served with Basmathi Rice & Two Paratha or Chapathi. I took the Paratha option. Their additional – h– in Basmathi was noted, the use of a capitalisation for – Spice made me smile. Who uses Capitalisations to highlight key words?
One of the two Waitresses offered me Chai, I declined, I don’t drink Tea with Milk and never outside Scotland, the Water. The other Waitress offered me Chai, a new Chap who had appeared on duty did so also. Can I have more Water please? A young Girl appeared at the door beside me, she was here to wash up, had she been summoned due to the number of customers now present and sometimes queuing? I did well to keep my table and not be moved to the window. The Couple who were given the last table for two in front of me studied the Menu, accepted the Chai, then left. Bad form. Were they expecting Buffet ($10.91 plus Tax)? Not available at weekends.
The Chap brought my food, I was instantly impressed, ah the aroma of South Indian Cuisine, the Chillies!
The Parathas were Perfect, ticking all three boxes: Layered, Flaky, and showing the Swirl. One would have been enough for me, especially with the included Basmati. The Rice was an elegant sufficiency, they know what they are doing here.
The Goat Chettinad sat in a decent-sized karahi, a proper Masala at last. I decanted the Goat, every one of the ten pieces was on-the-bone. Copious Chillies and pieces of rolled Cinnamon were encountered as I arranged the Masala over the Rice. The abundance of Herbs in the Masala was further confirmation of the Quality.
I tore off a piece from one the two whole Parathas and dipped into the decidedly not excessive Blended Masala – Gosh & Wow!
The Seasoning was tremendous, the Kick was right in the face, the anticipated Chettinad Flavours hit the palate hard, this was going to be a Magnificent Curry.
Time to tackle the Goat: fingers had to be used, the Meat was too large and hot to put in my mouth whole, I would have to nibble. Hector eats with his left hand, hopefully nobody was being offended. The Goat had more fat than Lamb would and was decidedly chewier despite being properly cooked, it was matter of adjusting. Hector has not had Lamb in a week.
My throat felt pleasures not experienced since leaving the UK, well balanced Spice, demanding, not silly. Leave the Water alone. Whole Black Peppercorns were in abundance, I picked out Green Cardamom and even more Cinnamon. I had quite a pile of Cinnamon and Chillies forming on the side of my plate, the bones I put back in the karahi. I was not eating the Chillies today, too risky, a long flight home in two days.
I had arrived at Chili’s not expecting much, already I had decided I was coming back tomorrow. Could they do this Chettinad with Fish? Apart from Indian Mango (München), every Chettinad I have ever eaten has been served in the Thinnest of Shorva. I love the Chettinad Flavours and have therefore tolerated how it is usually served, but never accepted it had to be so. I congratulate Chili’s for making the leap away from Shorva, this Masala was much more satisfying.
The Bill
$18.81 (£14.04) Worth every penny.
The Aftermath
The place was still very busy and so the Waitress who took my cash was being generous with the few moments we had to discuss Curry-Heute. I asked if Fish Chettinad (not on the Menu) could be served. She said – No.
Why not?
It’s a different Masala.
It doesn’t have to be.
Across the street from Chili’s in this University District lies Big Time Brewery & Alehouse, I have a cunning plan for tomorrow. In the meantime, here’s a sunset photo over the Olympic Mountains taken from the Downtown – Public Market Center.
Menu – extracts
At last a curry to savour – I was beginning to think that was a no no on the Eastern Seaboard. The pics are enough to make a Curryspondent’s mouth water. The prices seem very reasonable too. Keep on hunting for another one. P.S . As an aside I read that the Punjabi Charing X has been under new ownership since January 2018. A revised menu is also in the pipeline !!
Hector replies:
Eastern Seaboard, Doug?
Re Punjabi Charing X, I was told this also, but when I contacted them they said Hari was still there. One of us needs to visit and see if the Keema Padora and Lamb Gurmeet are still available.