After the – Poor Curry – served at the once very impressive Cafe Reeshah on Wednesday, Hector was in the mood for something special. Banana Leaf was the intended venue for the Saturday afternoon – Ritual Curry. South Indian Cuisine was calling. Arriving at Old Dumbarton Road I saw the lights on across from Banana Leaf at Shah’s Kitchen (59 Old Dumbarton Rd., Glasgow G3 8RF), three people were already there, sitting in. This would be Visit #1.
It was 14.35 when Hector entered Shah’s Kitchen which officially opens daily at 15.00. A Board of sorts was labelled – Special. Beef Curry (£5.50) stood out from the – Asian glyphs – which dominated this poster. 
Fried Chicken in Batter was the first food I spotted on the left, then some prepared dishes on display at the main counter. Most of this was also Chicken, but the Mixed Vegetable Curry (£4.50) looked very appealing. I was willing to have the latter if required. A Menu sat on top of the counter, I asked the Chap what was available, he said I could have anything.
As ever, the eyes were drawn towards the Lamb Dishes (£6.50), a choice from eight, the selection impressed. Lamb Karahi would have been a major test, as with Wednesday, I decided to keep things simple, Lamb Methi Gosht.
No Green Peppers, Capsicum – this was noted.
Spicy?
Desi-style if you can – this raised a smile.
Pre-cooked Rice was also on display.
Boiled or Fried?
I chose Boiled Rice (£1.70), Fried Rice cost the same.
The Chap got on with preparing the first Order: Kebap and Pizza.
I took a seat at the far end of the three tables which were placed together. I counted nine seats. The Menu was studied in greater detail. There was a much larger range of Chicken Dishes on offer than Lamb. I did not photograph the back page of the Menu, it was of no interest to me, but most certainly was to my fellow diners. They shared their Kebap and Pizza then disappeared.
I looked across to Banana Leaf, there were no lights on. I could see a sign in the window: closed – I could read, but what was written below this? I would check later.
The fridge was opposite where I sat. Cans (£0.90), 500ml Bottles (£1.80), – CAN – I highly recommend. I know not what the temperature was inside the fridge, it could not have been much cooler than the venue. The door was open throughout my visit, we had all sat with our coats on. Another Chap came in a few times with deliveries. Who was he?
I was taken by surprise when my Order arrived, a large plate, half Rice, half Curry.
Lamb Methi Gosht
Soup – was my first reaction, there was a mass of Masala. This was reinforced by my first Meat count, I reached six. The Masala was found to have a decent consistency, Tomato-based possibly. I encountered a Green Cardamom in my first mouthful of Rice and Masala. This was set aside. The second mouthful was a repetition of the first. What were the chances? With three pieces of Meat right in front of me I tentatively ate the first. The Lamb was decidedly Soft, on the edge of going to pulp. I always admire how Chefs can get Meat to this level without it being ruined.
I couldn’t bring myself to spoon all of the Curry on top of the Rice. Rice was incorporated with the Masala as when when required. Spoon – this was provided, I found plastic cutlery on a shelf when I went up to get some paper napkins. No frills, Hector’s sort of venue.
The Spice was building as I made progress, the Seasoning was absolutely – Perfect. A distinctive – Earthy – Flavour was emanating from this huge plate of Curry. I could see the Herbs mixed through the Masala but was not getting the hoped for – Methi Blast.
Sliced Green Chillies were adding the bite, I picked out a Clove and ate the Black Peppercorns. I would end up with six Green Cardamoms on the edge of the plate.
I found more Meat, larger pieces with a firmer texture. The Meat count was well into double figures, how misleading the original glimpse of this Curry was. Here I had a Masala with abundant Whole Spices and way more Lamb than originally perceived. The Flavours kept building, I came to the conclusion that this indeed was a – Worthy Curry, full of surprises.
I had to leave some Rice, there was way more than a Hector could manage. On a return visit I would consider the Special Rice (£2.50) which has Peas, Mushrooms and Sweetcorn.
The Bill
£8.20 Commensurate with a Glasgow Curry Cafe, but more than one pays in Manchester or Bradford.
The Aftermath
I gave the Calling Card and flashed the Curry-Heute Website on the Huawei.
How was it? – asked the Chap.
I enjoyed it, you had the right amount of Salt.
Salt? – he replied quizzically.
Yes, without Salt, there is no other Flavour.
This appeared to be understood. The Chap said he would give the Calling Card to his Boss. Who might this be?
And so I crossed the road. Banana Leaf – Closed Tuesdays. Today is Saturday, there was no sign of life. Surely we have not lost another – Award Winning – Glasgow Curry House?
Who wins Awards anyway?
Shah’s Kitchen – Menu Extracts
Update May 2019
Shah’s Kitchen closed last month.