Hector found himself in Helensburgh this afternoon supporting Marg at the F.P.’s Hockey Match. Alan must have been psychic, he texted on Wednesday in the off chance we were free today. Curry with Alan and Tracy, it has been a while. Alan mooted Annaya’s Grill House (80-82 West Princes St., Helensburgh, G84 8XD). My contacts in Helensburgh assure me that this is very much the place to go. Hector has made only four visits since they opened at the end of 2014, three of those were in 2015, the year Hector retired. Helensburgh, my third time here this week.
Before meeting up, I passed the Akash. Sadly the premises remain empty, I would suggest that nobody should touch this as the locus for a Curry House, it hasn’t brought any long-term luck since I first set foot in Helensburgh in 1981. Who even remembers – Sangam?
Alan made the booking at Annaya’s for 20.30, we were punctual. Every table was, occupied, a quick glance, there was no obvious group about to finish. Mein Host, Zak, who Hector met back in 2015 is now behind the scenes in the kitchen, the discrete Takeaway is doing good business. We were greeted by Rocky who I recalled from my most recent visit earlier this year.
We’ll put in an extra table – he promised as we took the seats at the doorway.
Within seconds a table for four was assembled adjacent to the Bar. This was like something from a Hollywood movie. As soon as we were seated, Alan drew the attention of the Drinks Waitress, he was keen to get the Lamb Chops ordered (£6.50). As a regular here, he knows how long they can take when Annaya’s is this busy. Three portions, three Chops in each, Hector would lose out, Marg would pilfer one. What is this with sharing?
There was no Strongbow, Rocky offered to send for some, Alan accepted the Peacock Cider (£4.25). I was assured that this 500ml Bottle was way better value than the Cider served at the rival Curry House in Helensburgh. We were out – to dine – so this became Hector’s tipple too. A small Bottle of Cobra (£3.75) for Tracy and a small Sparkling Water (£2.25) for Marg. No large Bottles of Sparkling Water were available, two hours later I was sure I spotted some. So it goes.
Alan had told me earlier that I would be having Lamb Methi on-the-bone with Brown Rice.
A new Menu? – I asked.
The Special Menu.
How can you be sure it will be there?
It always is.
The Special Menu evidently does change, this was not available back in March.
Lamb Chops followed by Methi Gosht on-the-bone, Hector was already in a good place. It has been a while since I indulged to this extent.
Tracy enquired about the availability of Chicken Tikka Methi (£11.95), not on the Board or the Menu. Success, flexibility, is this not how it should be? Marg liked the description of the Hurry Curry Lamb (£9.50) in which – fresh green vegetables, herbs and spices – would feature.
Rocky came to take the Order.
Two Desi Lamb Methi Gosht – he said as he wrote it down. Desi – I like – Desi. He confirmed the – Brown Rice – as Basmati Dham Pilau Rice (£2.95). He announced – Dham (Dum) – means steamed…. as in Dum Pukht, an Afghan Dish – Hector added, oh so knowledgeably.
Alan evidently thought one Rice was enough and so I asked for a Chilli and Coriander Naan (£3.50) to which Tracy added a Garlic and Coriander Naan (£3.50). Marg would have her customary Chapatti (£0.90). Somehow I noted three being ordered. My introduction of a Naan may have changed Alan and Tracy’s plans.
On asking for the Hurry Curry Lamb, Rocky suggested Marg try the Maliadar Sagg (£11.95) instead. Did I hear – Creamy? That was enough to swing it. Marg was offered on-the-bone or Boneless. She chose – Boneless – then explained to – The Company – that although she knows on-the-bone has much more Flavour, she does not like having to pick up the Meat to eat it (properly).
Can we have the Bread whole please? – asked Alan who like Hector knows that Bread loses its impact when served in smaller pieces. Breaking Bread, an ancient ritual.
And no Capsicum, anywhere, please – said Hector putting in his tuppence worth.
Rocky came back for a quiet word, he wanted to verify my Naan – Chilli and Coriander. My turn to explain to those assembled that I presently find that Garlic tends to dominate when pasted all over a Naan, interfering with the actual taste of the Curry.
Three plates of Chops arrived with four Dips, this time all the Chops were equal, no tiddlers. Marg took one and the Salad. Oh to have three, or four. Check the price, restraint was required. The Chops had been suitably cremated yet retained the required lusciousness. No pink, undercooked, meat here. It has been a long, long time.
The Chops were not up to usual standard – Alan commented later.
Maybe three is too many?
Marg’s perspective was different:
The Lamb Chops were really good, I felt one was enough.
All very strange.
We had time to digest the Chops before the Mains.
At 21.13, four very hot plates were brought to the table. A different chap wheeled the array of food to the table. Lids on the Mains momentarily concealed the contents, no peeking.
The Naans arrived in baskets, they had been quartered, why?
Chilli and Coriander – was the proclamation for the Naan placed before me. This one was wet and shiny, Garlic. I had specifically asked for no Garlic. There was an offer to change it, but that would have held up the meal. Stick with what we have. Tracy was keen to try mine. It was then we realised that the – Dry – Naan may have been the Chilli and Coriander Naan. I saw no Chillies. Confused? We all were. We swopped Naans, no more Garlic for Hector. Yay!
Basmati Dham Pilau Rice
The portion size did not appear to be much, however, when it was shared out there was enough for those who desired it, just. Green Beans, Carrots and Chickpeas were present, which would complement the Meat and Masalas. I would have this again.
Methi Gosht
Dark, Rich, Thick, I have been missing this. Syboes are everywhere these days. The Herb-rich Masala had me won in an instant. Knowing how much they like to serve Spinach here, I would like to know ratio of Spinach to Methi.
Only two bones were encountered, so a decent Meat Portion then. Somehow the Meat was Tender but firm. I encountered my first Cumin Seeds in weeks. There was the sense of Spice, Rocky offered more Chillies. In an instant, some slices of the Large Green Chillies were placed on the table. Now we had no excuse to complain about any lack of a – Kick, though I will state that the Seasoning was below that which makes the perfect – Methi Gosht. Still, it’s good to be home.
I did not establish how often Alan has ordered Methi Gosht at Annaya’s, he certainly enjoyed it:
Wonderful, it’s better than anything you would get in the likes of the Ashoka in Glasgow..
The Ashoka of the Harlequin Chain was Alan’s happy hunting ground for many a year.
Chicken Tikka Methi
When the Mains arrived, Alan and Tracy were not sure which was the Chicken Curry, the Masalas were identical. Tracy confirmed what lay before her was Chicken, did we have two Chicken Dishes? Hector is being surrounded by much confusion in recent times.
Tracy’s verdict:
Two thumbs – I loved it, hence the doggy bag.
Maliadar Sagg
Behold a Creamy Curry with Spinach, and neither in excess. This looked like many a Curry I have served to Marg having defrosted my own leftover Methi Gosht and added Cream to make something different.
A lovely change, with good flavour – said Marg. I enjoyed the creaminess. There was quite a bit of chunky onion, but that was OK, a Good Curry with plenty of flavour.
As ever, Marg could not finish her meal, a Lamb Chop too many? The customary Hector Soupçon was offered but declined. Hector was still eating, what was on this side of the table was a maximum.
Marg ordered a – Micro Doggy Bag – and was asking about Coffee.
A Cafe Latte, extra hot, was ordered. We were advised that the Espresso machine was – kaput, Black coffees were offered, more Peacock Cider please.
The Bill
£111.65 The – Bar – element £30.50, a big improvement on our last visit. Rocky clarified the cost of the Mains on the Board: Lamb £12.95, Chicken £11.95.
The Aftermath
After 22.30, the place was quite empty, we had the Opperchancity to chat with Rocky. I had to ask about Yousaf who served us last time. It was he who suggested I try Namak Mandi (Glasgow). What a revelation that has proved to be. Yousaf now works at Adams Airdrie (1 Broomknoll St, Airdrie ML6 6BN), an American-style Diner, not a Curry House then?
Decision Time
This is the fifth review of Annaya’s Grill House on Curry-Heute. It is time to consider adding this venue to – Hector’s Recommended Curry Houses. Lamb Chops, Lamb served on-the-bone, Methi Gosht, it is time.