Disappointment #1
News reached Hector a while back that New Anand (76 Nithsdale Rd, Glasgow G41 2AN) had changed hands. Passing last week as I made my way to Halal Kebab House, the lights were on at lunchtime. With Mother in tow I arrived @13.30, closed. At least there was a sign on the door to clarify that New Anand is open on Thursday and Friday lunchtimes only. I wonder if the Lunchtime Buffet has been abandoned, I doubt if it was sustainable.
It has been a while since my last Aloo Keema at Cafe Reeshah (455 Shields Rd., Glasgow G41 1NP), and so off to Shields Rd. it was.
The lovely Chap who has been ever-present on previous visits to Cafe Reeshah was nowhere to be seen. A day off was possible, two unknown Chaps were cooking/serving.
The Ready Dishes included Aloo Keema, Aloo Palak and at least one Daal. The Dish on the left could have been a Tarka Daal or the best avoided (IMHO) Haleem.
We can do anything for you – one of the two chaps announced. That was different, I’ve only ever had what was ready at Cafe Reeshah. I decided to keep things simple and so ignored the – Specialities – in favour of the – Old Favourites. Lamb Bhuna (£7.00) and Rice (£1.50) twice, was the Order.
The door was open when we entered, I immediately closed it, Mother needed heat. Two tables only seating nine, Cafe Reeshah is a modest establishment. Takeaway customers honoured the closed door. I was surprised when another customer decided to sit in. He had Pakora and a Naan. A bit – Dry – surely?
A Modest Salad was brought and Raita offered, the latter was declined. The food arrived, separate plates, not the splendid platter of Lamb on-the-bone which was so impressive last time. The Rice portions were either decidedly generous, or wasteful. One portion between the two of us would have been enough.
Lamb Bhuna
Cooked in tomatoes, onion, spices & thick sauce – says the Menu. The Onion is singular, and so the Masala reflected this. The Masala was indeed Tomato-rich yet still managed to look – watery. Thick Sauce? No way was this a – Bhuna. I decanted the eight pieces of Meat, each was double the size of the norm, a decent portion. Mother adopted the opposite approach and spooned the Rice on top of the Curry.
Disappointment #2
I could not help but notice the pieces of Capsicum, there were slivers of Onion too. One concludes the Masala had been blended then the Capsicum and Onion stirred in.
The first mouthful took me aback. Wtf? The anticipated Lahori/Desi Flavours were totally absent. This was different, unpleasantly so. The Capsicum could not have distorted the Flavour to this extent, or could it? Some pieces of the Dreaded Mush were consumed, it was impossible to isolate them all. The Spice Level was Moderate, Under-seasoned would be an understatement.
The Meat was sufficiently Tender but was giving nothing to the Curry. There was a distinct lack of depth of Flavour, this Curry was in – Mono. The singular Flavour was not sitting well on the Hector palate. Suffice to say, this Lamb Bhuna was a major disappointment and bore no resemblance to the Quality Fayre I have enjoyed here over the years.
Mother said she enjoyed her Curry, but then she likes anything that deviates from her daily bread.
The Bill
£17.00 I cannot complain about the quantity, but this Curry was – Poor.
The Aftermath
Disappointment #3
I enquired about my missing – friend. A change of ownership was confirmed.I had not spotted the change of livery above the door, this was – New Cafe Reeshah.
Everything nearly the same – said the Chap who had served us. The Menu has not changed (yet?), however, if today’s Bhuna is representative of what is being served at New Cafe Reeshah, then they have a problem. I would never order this again.
Cafe Reeshah‘s status in – Hector’s Recommended Curry Houses has been altered.
