Yesterday, all my worries went so far away… finally, in Seattle, I have found a Curry House in USA that is worthy of a Hector rant – This Place serves Curry! Chili’s South Indian Cuisine (4220 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105 USA), as in Erlangen (Deutschland), where there be Students, there be Curry.
Dr. Stan took a little persuading, my so positive report on the Goat Chettinadu was almost enough, adding Big Time Brewery & Alehouse a block south was certainly enough. There would be Curry-Heute, Zusammen.
Bus 44 brought us to Chili’s at 12.55, the place was not stowed as at this time yesterday. We were allocated one table in from the door, a small table for two. Dr. Stan briefly struggled to get in, the table was moved, sorted. The Cold Water arrived, I remember when a Manchester (England) Curry House used to charge for their – Welcoming Water. They soon stopped that.
Brasil 1 v 1 Schweiz
The game was just finishing as we took our seats. We had seen none of it, Fox were showing the US Open instead of the World Cup this morning.
A Lady I had not seen yesterday was clearly – The Hostess. One of the two Waitresses who had served me yesterday was there. The Lady Host came around the Restaurant asking where she thought appropriately:
Are you here for – Father’s Day?
Dr. Stan has had to suffer Hector for seventeen days, surely he has not aged that much? The Faither #2?
I am not a Number…
Having recommended the Chettinadu Goat ($16.99), Dr. Stan had to prove his independence: Chettinadu Lamb (Very Spicy) ($16.99). Note the capitalisations of – Very – and – Spicy. It was Our Hostess who took the Order, she asked Dr. Stan to confirm he could handle – Spicy. I assured him he could.
Fish Chettinadu was my hope, but I was told yesterday it cannot be done, a different Masala. I was almost tempted by the Chettinadu Shrimp (Spicy) ($16.99), but I knew this was my best chance for a decent Fish Curry on this Trip: Fish (Boneless) Molee Curry ($18.99) it had to be. The $3.00 more than its alternative had to be justified.
A family to my left, and in as close proximity as in the classic British TV play – Mr. Axelford’s Angel, were having Thali, Sambal, Oopsadaisies (sic) etc. I heard congratulations on how wonderful this Vegetarian Array had been. Not for Hector. The baby cried. Give it Goshat Karahi, Punjabi-style! I jest.
The wait was well within acceptable parameters, and not too soon. The Lamb Chettinadu was everything I had seen yesterday in Goat, so click here for that review. The Curry-Heute Test was now in vogue – can you serve the same Quality two days in a row?
Lamb Chettinadu
I let Dr. Stan get started then asked:
Impressed?
Oh yes.
He enjoyed the Spice, not a problem for the Good Doctor.
And so it was declared – an Excellent Curry. Dr. Stan tends to say little more, but today he did.
Very good, Spicy, the Lamb was quite burnt in places, is this normal?
I suggested he may have received Lamb Tikka. Dr. Stan was certain it was not Tikka. Fiercely fried then?
With Hector once again in full – photograph everything mode – the Waitress from yesterday approached, it was not her I gave the Calling Card to but she somehow knew I had spoken to her colleague. I showed yesterday’s Blog for Chili’s, the Lady in charge was summoned, our Hostess. She was very pleased to see that I had written a review, my LG was taken to the door and the Blog read, thoroughly. On her return, our Hostess was beaming even more, a true appreciation of the positive words I had written. I showed her the Fish Chettinad as served at Indian Mango (München) which sets – The Standard. She took on board my suggestion for Fish Chettinad, so if it ever appears on the menu, hopefully someone will let me know. Hector is unlikely ever to be in Seattle again.
Our Hostess went on to tell that Chili’s had recently won a major Seattle Award, some kind of – Hall of Fame. The walls were adorned with testimonies, a Curry-Heute Blog may well appear there one day. Their most loyal customer arrived, we were introduced, he spoke so highly of the Fayre served at Chili’s, apparently there is nothing like it elsewhere in Seattle. There had to be a photograph, and so there was.
All of this took place after the arrival of my Fish Molee Curry. Eating Curry and discussing Curry, Hector was in Curry Nirvana.
Fish Molee Curry
The Fish (Boneless) Molee Curry had a much thinner Masala than the Chettinad.
We had both taken the – Two Paratha – option over Chapathi. Once again, the Parathas were Perfect, today I would almost manage both. The Rice lay beside the Karahi on the plate, due to the nature of the Masala, I thought it better to add the Rice to the Curry, not my ideal, and not aesthetically pleasing for photos. I was also worried about splashing Masala all over my t-shirt.
Once again, from the first dip of Paratha, Hector was blown away. How was it possible, this Curry had even more Flavour bursting through, and a Tang as well. I may prefer a Thicker Masala, but who cares when it tastes this Wonderful? As yesterday, I encountered copious Black Peppercorns, and Cinnamon Stick. Curry Leaves were the Herb, and those Red Chillies.
I was so engrossed with the Masala, I had yet to encounter the Fish. The Tilapia was a single large piece, well buried. I managed to raise it to the surface, a la Titanic. This was an impressive piece of Fish and complemented the Masala.
How much Bland Fish Curry have I reported on over the years? This was the antithesis, the Real McCoy. The Spice Level was high, again well judged, though this Curry did bring perspiration to the brow. Seasoning is all, this Curry had it, and so a great Depth of Flavour was attained. This Fish Molee Curry is one I shall recall forever.
The Bill
$39.62 (£29.57) When compared to what we have been paying for Bar Food in the evenings, great value.
The Aftermath
I had made a great connection today. We were bade farewell:
Thank you for helping us.
It was a great pleasure.
Two visits only, but Chili’s South Indian Restaurant has to be added to Hector’s Recommended Curry Houses.
