Hector is in Bradford for a few days: Landmarq are performing in Maltby on Saturday, meanwhile tomorrow is the start of the K.W.V.R. Beer Festival. Hector gets to play on/beside trains. Jadis have cancelled their gig in Sheffield next month and so the next Yorkshire Trip will be for Bier and Curry only. So it goes.
Hector drove Howard down from the West of Scotland this morning but only one of us was staying at t’Travelodge. After an early check-in I waked across the town centre to The Kashmir Restaurant (27 Morley St, Bradford BD7 1AG England). No signage, wtf? Kashmir, Bradford’s second oldest Curry House, cannot have gone, people would have said. The door leading downstairs was open, I was surprised to find Howard already there, tucking into Poppadoms and Salad. Mein Host greeted me with a friendly jibe. I squeezed on to the table, the Chap behind me was not giving an inch.
The New Menu (2017) was on the table, very bright, but – Mined Meat? Why do printers allow such fundamental errors? Do they not have a – Neil – to proofread?
I had to ask about the dereliction outside. The – Signage – is being redone shortly. Last time I was down it said – The ashmi Restaurant.
Fish Karahi (£7.20) would be my normal choice but having Fish Chettinadu on Monday at Rishi’s Indian Aroma (Aberdeen) two days ago, I decided to have Keema Peas (£6.50), Howard opted for the Fish Karahi.
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There was no mention of Rice or Bread. This is Bradford. Six Chapattis would come, included in the price of the meal. Chapattis are Flour and Water and cost pennies to make.
I ate about half a Poppadom, without the Cumin Seeds as served across Europe, they presently hold little interest. The Poppadoms, Raita and Modest Salad were also Complimentary. This is how it should be.
The wait was appropriate, Mein Host brought the food, he was still bemused by the photography.
Free publicity – he acknowledged.
Keema Peas
The Driest Keema ever served to Hector was topped with a sliver of Tomato. There was a trace of Oil on one side of the plate, the Peas were abundant. Tearing of a piece of Floury Chapatti I started devouring the Keema Peas. The Spice was noticeable but not demanding. The Seasoning was well below what I expected, as a result the full Flavour of the Mince was never forthcoming. A slight disappointment, but still Bradford Curry.
Fish Karahi
Here was a mass of Fish in a Minimal Masala. Large pieces of Fish were visible but the majority was Flaked. The Fish Karahi at Kashmir sets the standard, this was up to scratch. A Soupçon came my way, it revealed exactly what my Keema Peas was lacking in – Flavour. Howard had a few words to add:
A Preface
Over the last year and a half, I’ve lost my appetite and my ability to handle large portions of food except when I have had nothing the day before. However, anything different and fresh still hits the spot.
Both the fish and the masala had great flavour, and the seasoning and spice were spot on, perfect for a lunchtime in Bradford.
We managed to consume five of the six Chapattis which may have surprised us both.
The Bill
£13.70 In Aberdeen the Chapattis alone could have cost £11.70, even more in places.
The Aftermath
I asked back in February if anyone knew about – Sabri – around the corner on Wilton Street. It has closed already. But then their hours were too short.
An email from Ricky – The Man from Bradford – arrived on the Huawei:
Have you booked Sarina’s?
As ever his thoughts were not clearly expressed, it did look already as if Curry-Heute at Sarina’s was possible, and becoming likely.
Howard and Hector walked to the Interchange to take the 576 Bus to Halifax which passed us en route. We’ll learn, at least we know to ask for a Group Ticket.