I promised to return within Three Years – was my farewell statement to Hassan at Halal Kebab House (164 Albert Drive, Glasgow, G41 2N6), four years ago. Hector had previously met Hassan at an Awards Night in 2012. Hector has been a finalist in so many, Hassan won an Award. Stop right there, Hector! Halal Kebab House is primarily a Takeaway with the Fayre dominated by Pizza, Baked Potatoes, Kebabs and Burgers. Having been to Ambala Deli Bar around the corner in Forth St. so often in recent times, I decided on Saturday that I had to get back to Halal Kebab House.
Arriving just before 14.00, two diners were occupying the far table, three other people were parked at the remaining two waiting for Takeaways. Last time there were four tables seating twelve, now there three tables seating ten. Halal Kebab House indeed remains primarily a Takeaway.
The counter was not manned as I entered, I had time to survey the Prepared Curry on display under the counter. One Dish looked promising, the remainder were Vegetables. Vegetables are so last Saturday.
A Chap whom I would later establish as – Aqib – talked me through the Curry on display: Spinach, Chickpea, Daal, Okra and Lamb. Lamb – is what I wanted to hear.
Chicken is through the back – he continued.
Lamb with a Roti/Chapatti (£0.70) – was the Order. I took a seat at the window facing out to the street, not ideal.
Another Chap came from the kitchen and joined Aqib behind the counter, I did the double take. The beard was decidedly longer, it was Chef Habib or is it actually – Saeed – from the sadly missed Lasani Grill. He was straight around the counter and approached me, both hands extended. That was a welcome. He went back to the kitchen to reheat Hector’s Curry.
I had relocated to the far table when Chef came out to ask:
Lamb Curry or Lamb Bhuna?
Bhuna is always better.
Spicy?
Spicy was agreed. I had to ask how long he had been here. I heard – six or seven.
Six or seven days – he clarified. There is no hiding from Hector.
It became apparent that I was not about to be served – Lamb Ding. Chef was evidently busy enhancing the Prepared Curry.
With the place empty, I had the opperchancity to engage Aqib. I asked after Hassan. Apparently his partnership at Halal Kebab House ended some years back. Sajid, Mein Host, has been ever-present… except there was no sign of him.
I had noticed no mention of – Curry – on the display boards above the counter. There was no Menu either. Aqib assured me the Menu will be available soon, and the boards are due to be revamped. One could speculate that this may be connected with the arrival of the new Chef. One does not have a Chef of this Quality and not let him cook his Wonderful Curry.
I tried to take a tin of Mango Rubicon from the fridge behind me. Aqib was over to assist. He then arranged a place setting complete with plastic fork and some Raita. I declined the offer of Salad.
Whilst I waited there was a stream of Takeaway customers. Who needs a Kebap or a Pizza at this time of day? This is – Curry Time!
I was taken aback by the size of the Roti. It was Thick, Soft, and looked as if it might not turn to Crisp too quickly. One was most certainly enough.
*
Lamb Bhuna
This looked very familiar. This was a true Glasgow-Punjabi-Desi Curry. There is nothing like it elsewhere, Manchester may come close at Dera. A sprinkling of Fresh Coriander topped the Thickest of Tomato-rich Masala, there was a lot of Tomato. I studied the Masala further, finely chopped Onions were mixed through. This was decidedly remote from the Blended Masala served in Mainstream establishments, this was genuine Desi/Apna and that which Hector primarily seeks.
I counted the Meat, double figures were quickly reached, some pieces were decidedly – Large. As I ate I would encounter: Bay Leaves, Black Cardamom and slices of Large Green Chillies. This Curry had the – Pedigree – one would expect.
The Spice was there, the warmth of Flavour I have come to enjoy at Lasani Grill / Yadgar over the years was present, but just under the – Wow! – more Seasoning required. This is Hector being hypercritical. Had I not known the Chef I would have been waxing lyrical and wondering how what lay before had come to be.
One piece of Meat was chewy, the remainder was perfection, Tender-Soft, just as it should be. Having sat in the Masala, there was a sense of belonging. I used the Roti to scoop up the tasty Masala, the plastic fork to eat the Lamb. I left the three largest pieces of Meat to the end, these were halved. This meal simply became better and better. The Quantity was ideal, still I knew not what I would be paying for this plate of pleasure. When I entered Halal Kebab House today, I had not expected this.
A Chap who had to be Mein Host had entered, he acknowledged me. In fact most of the customers did. Man, sitting in, enjoying Curry.
The Bill
£7.70 I confirmed with Aqib that this included the Mango Rubicon, it had.
The Aftermath
Whilst I waited for Sajid to come off the phone, I showed Aqib the review of my last visit. I introduced myself to Sajid and mentioned of course that I knew the Chef, who was still busy in the kitchen, from his days at Lasani Grill. Chef was summoned for a photo.
I bade farewell and reminded Chef that I would once again love to enjoy his Karahi Gosht on-the-bone. He thanked me for remembering him. I said I would wait a few months until he was more established here and the premises revamped. That’s months, not years.
I need to get Chef’s name confirmed.