What a difference a year makes
In January last year, Steve and Hector dined at Indian Happy Tandoor (Zenklova 232, 198 00 Praha 8, Ceská republika), the Curry was outstanding, the Lamb which we deduced had been marinaded in Vinegar was the Best I have ever tasted in Europe, Indian Mango (München) aside. The aftermath of the meal lives long in the memory, Mein Host went out of his way to ensure we had an experience to remember.
Our last night in Praha had to be Special therefore Curry was mandatory. Indian Happy Tandoor was deemed the place to go. The walk down from Kobylisy Metro Station was a bit further than I remembered, it was daylight this time. We entered just before 20.00 to find two sets of Diners. The same table as last time was free, Hector sat in – his spot. The Waiter asked where we were from, he had remembered me. I had the still reliable Huawei cued to show the posting from last time. I asked if Mein Host was here this evening.
Menus were provided, the Waiter apologised for not having a Menu in English. I assured him this would make little difference, the language of Curry is International. Drinks were taken care of, four 250ml Bottles of Sparkling Water (25 Kc). He asked how much longer we were in Czechia. I told him this was our last night and I had kept the best (Restaurant) to the end. This was appreciated.
Dr. Alasdair would follow Hector’s lead and have something in Lamb. The Jehneci (Lamb) Bhuna (235 Kc) is what impressed last time, – The Curry-Heute Test – would come into play, could they reproduce this to the same standard? I was disappointed to see – NE – beside the (Plain) Paratha, in fact this was quite a feature of the Menu this evening, many Dishes were – not available – including Karahi.
A few minutes later Mein Host came over and recalled that I was here with a friend and they had plied us with alcohol. Alcohol, in Praha? He fetched a pot of Herb Liqueur and four shot glasses. And so the Party began.
How many times have you been here? – asked Dr. Alasdair.
Just the once.
The Waiter came to take the Order. I had a Paratha (Aloo) bramborava (75 Kc) as a fallback for the Plain Paratha. I asked for my Jehneci Bhuna without – Paprikou. Marg could not resist opting for her Favourite Curry – Butter Chicken (195 Kc). The Waiter informed us that only Chapattis (45 Kc) were available, no other Bread. Marg had already mooted Rice. We had to ask for translations: two portions of Ryze (Mushroom) zampionova (75 Kc). Margie mention Rogon Josh, Dr. Alasdair said this is what he was going to order so she changed to Chicken Jalfrasie (205 Kc?). (I assume the second listed Curry in each list is Chicken after Vegetable and before Lamb.) Dr. Alasdair’s Rogon Josh would be Lamb (235 Kc). The Carnoustie Two – took the Chapatti option.
I had a notion for Aloo Gobi (155 Kc) and so asked where it was in the Menu. It was there listed as – Aloo Gobi. The Waiter was concerned that I would be able to eat all this, I assured him the Aloo Gobi was – to share. People do this.
Mein Host then suggested that he cook – something special – for us that was not on the Menu, with our choice of Meat and Rice. Whilst this would have suited – The Chaps – the Ladies could have ended up with something they could not have managed. Next time, if the offer is repeated.
The two Chapattis arrived first, both Quartered and very shiny, Butter Chapattis. Dr. Alasdair saw the size and predicted another may have to be ordered. One assumed the rest of the Order would be imminent, not the case. The Chapattis were cooling, any – Hot – edge they may have had, lost.
Quite a few minutes passed before the Waiter emerged from the kitchen with an armful of Curry. This was markedly different from last year when Mein Host brought a trolley to the table and finished the serving on a portable cooker. The Aloo Gobi was placed mid table, this was plentiful. Three further Mains and two portions of Mushroom Rice were distributed. Where was the Rogon Josh? We were a Main Course short. The Waiter looked puzzled – Rogon Josh? Had it even been recorded?
Until this moment everything at Indian Happy Tandoori had been all smiles. This was a major cock-up, Dr. Alasdair was far from amused. Hector had promised a memorable meal, this is not what was intended. What does one do in such circumstances? The Aloo Gobi was there, how cold would the Chapatti be by the time a Rogon Josh was put together? Would they rush it? There was no good outcome from this point onwards. This was the end of our – Happy – experience. Yesterday at Restaurant Dacicky (Kutna Hora) one Dish never appeared. Last night at BeerGeek (Praha), after asking three times about the progress of our food, the Waiter came over to apologise, he had forgotten to place the order.
Mushroom Rice
Hector writes often about Rice portions that are ridiculously – Large. This was as modest a Rice Portion as I have encountered. The uniformity of the sliced Mushrooms suggested they were tinned, not impressive.
Jehneci (Lamb) Bhuna (?)
This was topped with sliced Tomato, beneath was a Tomato-rich Masala. There was far too much Masala for a Bhuna, was this actually the Rogon Josh? This did not cheer up Dr. Alasdair, I had to stop my decanting. We agreed to start on the Aloo Gobi and see if the missing Curry would turn up quickly. From the little I had sampled, it was already obvious that the Lamb had not been marinated as last year, only the Flavour of the Lamb was coming across. Both Spice and Flavour were lacking.
This is nothing like what came last year – I announced to my fellow Diners. I suspect they have lost their Chef. This might also explain the number of Menu items which were marked – NE.
Aloo Gobi
Topped with minimal Fresh Coriander, there was both an appreciable Shorva around the periphery of the karahi plus a half-formed Masala of Onion and Tomato covering the Potato and Cauliflower. The Dish had been served – Hot-Hot. I had a mouthful when Mein Host came over to check all was well. Once I managed to swallow, I told him we were still missing a Curry. One hopes he went to the kitchen to kick ass.
The Vegetables were well cooked, there was nothing particular to get excited about in terms of Spice or Flavour. This was Ballast on our table.
Marg thought it too similar to her Curry:
Watery – she said. It shouldn’t have been.
Butter Chicken
This was Butter Chicken? The Masala was a Shorva and bore no resemblance to a Butter Masala. Marg knows her Butter Chicken, this was not up to standard. I shall question again if this was actually – Butter Chicken.
Quite tomatoey and salty – said Marg – it’s normally more creamy, this was more like a gravy.
Not a – Butter Chicken – then, this was too – Soup-like.
Chicken Jalfrasie
The obvious difference between the Jalfrasie and the Butter Chicken was the strips of Capsicum and Ginger on top. Were they there in order to differentiate at the point of serving? If so then this is even more of a concern. I do not recall ordering a Jalfrezi in this century. Fresh Chillies, Onion and Tomatoes – is what defines a Jalfrezi, usually in marinated Meat. Ironically, this description is closer to my Bhuna served here last year.
Quite watery – was Margie’s first comment. She ate on, I was quite surprised by her verdict at the end:
Beautifully flavoured, a light dish with Chicken, tingly. A lovely Curry. I prefer my Chapattis without Butter.
So far: Butter where it was not required, no Butter where it was.
Rogon Josh
Dr. Alasdair’s Rogon Josh eventually arrived, sheepishly, it looked nothing like my Curry, and closer to the Bhuna from last year. This Rogon Josh #2 had a Darker, Thicker Masala. There was also appreciably less Masala, closer to a Bhuna. Was this the Bhuna I had ordered? Carrots, Ginger Strips and Cardamom were mixed through the Melange. These were not in – Bhuna / Rogan Josh #1. This looked to be a Better Curry from my perspective.
In the meantime, Dr. Alasdair had succumbed and taken some Aloo Gobi and Mushroom Rice which Hector, in a rare moment of altruism, had encouraged him to accept. There was not much of his Chapatti remaining. Another was ordered.
I won’t say much – said Dr. Alasdair with a tacit reference to his speel at Mailsi (Praha) two days previously.
The Chapatti seemed to take an age, more of the same, though Marg did comment on the fact that at least this time they had a hot one.
Finally, Dr. Alasdair uttered his words, one wonders how much he was biting his tongue:
It was disappointing, really disappointing. The raw tomato and sauce was similar to yours, too many cardamom, I liked the raw ginger. Salty. Wet is not the way I like Chapattis.
When Mein Host offered to make us something off menu, we should have accepted, then some real effort might have gone into the preparation. The razzmatazz of service at the table from last year is no more, the slate-plates are no more, the extra condiments are no more, the marinaded lamb no more. With the number of Menu items not available, one has to conclude that their Chef is no more.
The Curry-Heute Test – Failed!
The Bill
1390 Kc (£54.23) This was paid with the minimum of fuss. One could by now cut the atmosphere with a knife.
The Aftermath
There were polite farewells as we walked past the Bar and made our exit. Only the Waiter was present. Everyone knew that Indian Happy Tandoor had not lived up to expectation. Hector knows he is unlikely to return.
The next Curry with – The Carnoustie Two – will be in Carnoustie, Hector-the-Chef once again. The lack of marinaded meat this evening prompted me to suggest that Pork Vindaloo might go down well. Fearful that others present may fear the term – Vindaloo – we have agreed to call it – Pork Glasgow – for the evening. For those who cannot wait, the Recipe is here.
Menu extracts
