Glasgow – Akbar’s – Marg’s Birthday Curry

Marg chose to have her Birthday Dinner at a Curry House. The last time this happened was at The Village, either in the ill-fated Village In-the-Park, or before this at the upstairs of the original Village Restaurant. Whichever, it was long before Curry-Heute was conceived, how much Pasta has been eaten in the interim?

Akbar’s (573-581 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G3 7PQ) was not the first venue which came to mind. Initially Marg considered Mother India’s Cafe, it has been a while since she has enjoyed her favourite Curry anywhere – Butter Chicken – as served there. Hector pointed out that one cannot book at Mother India’s Cafe and it would be a Saturday night. Mother India, the Restaurant, was then mooted but quickly dismissed. Marg has found their full portion of Butter Chicken to be – too much – and also recalled our only visit in the Curry-Heute era when they ruined Hector’s Birthday Meal.

Akbar’s has a good atmosphere, you feel as if you are in it, and the prices are not ridiculous – Marg concluded. Marg likes ambience above all. This pleased Hector hates paying £15.00+ for Pasta Dishes which cost pennies to assemble and which Hector can cook just as well at home. A booking was made for 19.30.

Marg, Wendy, Peter and Rory were a few minutes early and were shown straight to our table, no hanging around the Bar area this evening. Arriving bang on 19.30, Hector could not see his fellow diners so waited to be shown to the table by Imran, Mein Host. Both Marg and Imran spotted me simultaneously, the connection was made, Marg missed the recent visit here which remarkably was only two weeks ago. Having gone to Huddersfield and Manchester for New Year by train, we had not managed our usual stopoff in Bradford for Curry, and Sarina’s (Queensbury-Bradford) was not open anyway. One cannot have too much Bradford Curry.

Our Waitress for the evening, who I shall point out was very patient and excellent throughout our visit, took the Drinks order. Three 500ml bottles of Cider (£4.75), one Sparkling Water and Tap Water was the modest order. For once the Sparkling Water was not for Hector. We were here – to dine – so a Bottle of Cider must surely be justified, just the one. A Waiter brought the Drinks.

The Waitress asked if we desired Poppadoms. The Ladies would have been sucked in, however, Hector had already cast his veto. If they want us to have them they will will bring them. Why potentially add £6.00 to £10.00 (depending on how many Pickle Trays are presented) to our Bill before we have even started?

There would be Starters. Wendy appeared to have concluded that no Poppadoms meant no Starters. Hector would have his Lamb Chops (£4.45), Rory was puzzled as to what this might entail, Marg explained, two portions were agreed upon. Wendy proposed Akbar’s Special Veg Pakora (£4.95). Three Starters between five, sensible, not like on the last Big Curry Night at Ambala Deli Bar where we most certainly overdid the Starters.

I showed my fellow diners the – Desi-Apna Style – section of the Menu and suggested they choose from there. I also announced that we would be ordering all Dishes – Asian-style – else there was little point in us being here. Some were worried about the Spice Level,

Hector had spent the afternoon studying – this page –  on Curry-Heute. What to have? Something more than Meat was required. Akbar-e-Balti (£9.45) ticked the boxes featuring Lamb, Potato and – Chicken. I feel a Chicken Curry is looming, but not yet. At the risk of self-flagellation, Karella Ghosht (£8.95) was considered to be a worthy choice. In the early days of Curry-Heute, Hector started visiting Karahi Palace, Karela Gosht appeared often in these pages, now I can find it to be – too much.

I could hear the evil term – sharing – being mentioned, wtf? I made it clear I was having the Karella Ghosht accompanied by a Paratha (£2.50). I would only eat around half of the Paratha so some of it would be up for grabs, my Curry choice was for me, alone. A Soupçon when dining as a couple is OK with Hector, but sharing with four, no way. I simply don’t get it. We may as well just order five of the same.

Marg made up her mind quickly – Karahi Ghosht (£8.45). Rory, also sticking to the Desi-Apna section, declared – Ghosht Palak (£8.45). Having reviewed Karahi Ghosht and Spinach (£8.95) on my last visit, I suggested he change to this. Better that Rory has a Masala with Palak than a plateful of Herbs with added Meat. I cannot be certain that this is the difference between the two Dishes here at Akbar’s, however, my recommendation guaranteed a Quality Curry.

Wendy found Lamb Badami (£9.95) in the Chef’s Specialities. Delicate spices and crushed almonds – are a feature of this Curry, the Spice Level would be safe. Peter’s choice was Dhal Makhani (£8.45), this I had to challenge. I put it to him he was essentially order a plate of Lentil Soup, unless this is really what he wanted, disappointment was inevitable.

I suggested we order this as an extra Dish, for the table, and he make another choice. N.B. Ordering Daal Makhani – for the table – is something I favour when The Company is this large. It can add Diversity, and is not – sharing – as outlined above. Why is Hector on a rant? Peter chose Seafood Balti (£10.95) which features Prawn, Fish and King Prawn, in that order. I congratulated him on this choice, I have never seen this Curry at Akbar’s, it’s a Dish I have almost been tempted by previously. I did consider it as recently as this afternoon.

A Waiter approached to see if we were ready to place our Order.

We’ve got as far as the Bread – I told him, he departed.

What is a Paratha? – had been asked, Marg described this to the interested parties. There had to be a Naan given the theatrical way in which it is presented at Akbar’s. Rory questioned the need for a Garlic Naan (£2.95) stating that the Garlic can sometimes dominate. This is precisely the reason why I stopped ordering Garlic Naan in favour of Chilli and Coriander Naan. The latter would not have been appropriate for this assembly. A Garlic Naan it would be. Marg and Rory were both interested in adding Chapatis (£0.75). A third Chapati was mooted, again the Hector veto. That would have been way more than enough Bread. It also gave me the opperchancity to inform my fellow diners that the price of a Chapatti at Akbar’s has been reduced significantly since the early days, more in line with Bradford prices, and certainly not Aberdoom’s.

Everything Asian style and no Green Peppers

We were ready, our original Waitress was back. Hector had everything noted, more efficient than asking around the table and people already forgetting what they had selected. I started by stating that we wished everything – Asian style. None of the descriptions of the six choices mentioned – Capsicum, Hector was taking no chances, – no Peppers – was recorded. The Order was read back, all was correct. Phew!

The Waitress was not certain that Karela was available, she would check. Akbar-e-Balti would have been the fallback, a Curry with Chicken. She returned moments later with a basket of Poppadoms and the Pickle Tray – on the house.  QED.

Those who wanted Poppadoms were pleased. Wendy found the Tomato-Capsicum Dip – too Spicy. Perhaps she should have considered joining the young couple sitting at the adjacent window table who had just been presented with a plate of Chips? I kid you not. Chips, that was it, no other accompaniment. Was this a Starter, a Glasgow Salad? Having previously eschewed a share of the Poppadoms, I took an edge to sample the Dubious Dip.

Too Spicy? Oh dear.

Lamb Chops

Two portions, eight Lamb Chops in total, the Chaps were allocated two each. Yay! Given what would follow, two was probably an elegant sufficiency. With a suitably cremated exterior and cooked through more than two weeks ago, the first Chop was an absolute joy of Succulent Meat with a decent – Kick.

Peter was immediately taken by his introduction to Lamb Chops. I suggested that the Lamb Chops at Akbar’s are only second in the Land, in Hector’s experience, to those served at The Downsman (Crawley). Two Chops, one could easily eat five, or better still eight as a Main Course. Sixteen Chops is Hector’s record when Yadgar threw down the goblet (sic).

How do you make these? – I was asked.

First, buy a Tandoor…

Akbar’s Special Veg Pakora

Seven pieces, two of which were large cuboids of that well known Vegetable – Paneer, (OK, I accept that – Veg – means – Vegetarian.) I took one, the only thing of interest to Hector here. I heard Mushroom mentioned, I saw something flat plus standard Vegetable Pakora. I was too busy savouring my second Lamb Chop. All disappeared quickly save the second piece of Cheese which nobody seemed to fancy, it came Hector’s way. Usually Paneer is served in tiny cubes, these were different, and at the limit of my Cheese tolerance. I can eat Cream Cheese no problem, I can see it again far too quickly, in minutes, taking a chance here. Two pieces were quite enough, this ticked the boxes of – something new, something different. I may encounter this again if someone else orders it, for Hector, Akbar’s means – Lamb Chops.

The Waitress cleared the table and offered more Drinks and not for the last time. Such are the competitive prices of the Main Courses at Akbar’s it’s obvious that they hope to make their profit on the relatively inflated price of Drinks. Tap Water keeps coming, and is free. Yes, this was Marg’s Birthday Dinner, but such was – The Company – this evening. A Helensburgh Curryspondent will have apoplexy on reading this post.  The offer was declined.

One hates when the Mains arrive too soon, there was a suitable wait.  The place was full except on my immediate right where a table for a large group was being set up. The Waitress came over to say our Mains would arrive in a few minutes. In the earliest days at Akbar’s they would quote a precise number, very silly. By the time the would-be Chef who brings the Mains arrived, we were ready. As always, he was happy to pose. It actually took three people to bring the entire order, a Waiter asked me to verify that everything had been delivered. All was well.

The photographs appear to be as much about the Naan, which I didn’t touch, as much as the diners. Rory asked – why the vertical skewer. Marg explained that it saves a lot of table space. It is also a novelty. Marg spotted one of the next young couple to occupy the adjacent window table starting their Naan from the top, it fell off. Stupid woman! Parliament resumes on Monday, the same day Marg goes back to school.

The Paratha was up to the expected standard – Large, Layered, Flaky and – Whole! I would eat more than half, Peter took his promised piece. The Chapattis were for Marg and Rory, they probably had Naan also. Ours didn’t fall off, it wasn’t finished but we did it – Justice!

Karella Ghosht

One fears an excess of Karela, it’s Meat I desire with Karela, not half and half. This interpretation proved to be spot on. The Karela was encountered periodically, it had to be searched for. The Meat was cut small, way more than could be counted, and sat in a Minimal, Thick Masala. The Oil was collecting on the edge of the karahi, all was well. This is how Hector desires his Curry/Karahi.

The Bradford Curry Taste hit Hector’s palate instantly. That was quite an achievement as even at Bradford’s finest Curry establishments I have had to wait for it to realise. The Karela added an alternate – Bitterness – which I was just in the mood for. The Paratha, as ever, proved to be the perfect accompaniment. The Spice in the Karahi was there, never demanding, the Seasoning was adequate. It was all about the combined Tastes: Umami and Bitterness.

Around the halfway point I stirred up what remained, still more Meat than a standard Portion in too many a Restaurant, remained. There was a blast of heat. The black karahi had retained so much heat it had kept the Meat at the base remarkably hot, this was an added bonus given how slowly I am forced to eat presently. I was last to stop eating, others had abandoned remnants, a Takeaway of two Dishes combined would be arranged, There would be – no surrender, Hector aimed to eat all that lay before him. After the disappointment at delhi2go (Manchester) earlier this week, this Karahi was going to be finished. It was.

Dhal Makhani

When the Dhal Makhani arrived I took it to be Wendy’s Lamb Badami. Here lay a Creamy Soup, a Daal most certainly but unlike any Makhani that Hector has ever encountered. I took a Soupçon which meant using my plate.

The Waitress had warned it was – Sweet – when she brought it, that was understatement. Creamy, almost Nutty, this quite simply was not a Daal Makhani which should have an array of Lentil types and have an – Earthy Flavour. This was an antidote to the Bitterness of the Karela if required, Hector didn’t, It was set aside.

Needless to say this interpretation of Dhal Makhani went down well, particularly with the Ladies.

Daal (on the House)

Moments after we had all started our Mains, Imran came over with a Complimentary Daal. He said that this would be Spicier than that which was already on the table. Hector couldn’t help himself:

A Daal for men, not Children.

Not a Makhani, this had the Flavour of a Traditional Daal which one would expect, was far from Sweet, and most certainly had a – Kick.

This went down better with the Chaps.

Both – The Chaps – and – The Chapattis – were satisfied.

Karahi Ghosht

This had decidedly more Masala than the Karella Ghosht but was by no means excessive. It is worth pointing out that of all the five Dishes chosen, Hector’s most closely resembled a Classic Bradford Curry in terms of appearance. I can make no personal comment on any of these subsequent Dishes in terms of taste, but – Karahi Ghosht – and the following – Karahi Ghosht and Spinach – have been previously reviewed on Curry-Heute. The Birthday Girl had a few words:

Thoroughly enjoyed it. It didn’t disappoint me, enjoyed all the different flavours from the other dishes as well.

Karahi Ghosht and Spinach

Decidedly drier than the Karahi Ghosht, Hector would have been very happy to receive this. Dr. Stan and John both thoroughly approved of this last month. Rory is from Southampton and may not have experienced much in the way of – Desi Cuisine – previously. He was well satisfied with his choice. Rory:

A lovely curry beautiful tender lamb, complement by the spinach and not soggy. The chapattis were lovely.

In terms of the Daal(s), he added: … it would be good if you could get small portions of each.

This is an inserting idea. The Daals were available as Side Dishes (£3.90), still too much for one person to consider, and one’s dining partner may not be interested anyway. Perhaps – Soupçon – sized portions, i.e. even smaller than – Tapas – should be on offer for a nominal sum, say £1.00. I may add this to – The Curry-Heute Campaign.

Marg’s and Rory’s remnants were combined to create the Takeaway. That should work and give a decent portion.

Seafood Balti

This was somewhere between a Karahi and a Curry. That the large pieces of Fish stood out made this look like a Dish that Hector will have to experience. The Masala was more plentiful than the three Dishes above and possibly Thinner, i.e. more – Curry-like.

The words around the table were very positive for the Seafood Balti, I heard Wendy say she preferred this to her own choice, ah, the hazard of sharing. As Peter made his way through his Dish, whose quantity would defeat him, so he cast aside two large, flat, pieces of – Green Pepper. Peter did so without prompting, his choice. The Capsicum should never have been there in the first place. When finally, I could contain myself no more, Rory joined in and said that Peppers repeat and recognised that they are in effect – Ballast.

All five diners share the opinion that:  Capsicum has no place in Curry.

I was not surprised that when asked for his comments, Peter enthused about the Lamb Chops:

The lamb chops were absolutely fantastic, wish I could replicate them myself…

Re the Balti – Great flavours and good textures. Both daals and all the breads were excellent.

Lamb Badami

In a company of five, there’s always going to be one at least who orders the Creamy Curry. Marg was quick to spot that this Curry would probably have worked better in Chicken, as does a Patia. In its favour, one can easily count the dozen good-sized pieces of Lamb. This was value for money. This may well be commensurate with the overall quantity of Meat present in the smaller cuts in the respective Karahi.

Wendy was last to comment, in fact she wrote her comment on to her phone which was then texted to Hector. These therefore are her exact words, guaranteed:

Very pleasant smooth dish. I enjoyed the small portion of each of the other lamb dishes and particularly liked the fish curry. Very possibly I shall choose to select that dish for myself next visit. Loved the sweeter if (of) the two daals but really enjoyed having the addition of both these vegetable daal dishes to the overall eating experience

The Menus were back, There was as yet no consensus regarding Dessert or Coffee. The Waitress was clearing the table, skilled as taking all at once. She asked:

Was the food OK?

Do you think we would come here if it was simply – OK?

She wasn’t ready for this, the penny dropped:

Was it the best?

Of course, I could taste Bradford Curry from the first mouthful.

She stated that Karela Gosht is her favourite.

Meanwhile beyond the other end of the table, the large group were assembling. We were asked to slide our three tables towards the window. Rory saw sense in giving up the third table of which he was the sole occupier. Imran was across to supervise:

Tea or Coffee on the House – was our reward. Three Coffees and one Tea were supplied with great efficiency. Too late for Hector to have caffeine.

Marg was very pleased to receive a Hot, Milky Coffee just the way she likes it.

This completed her meal. Happy Birthday, Marg.

The Bill

£92.95     Didn’t we do well?

The Aftermath

Our departure was efficient. As is the custom, everyone said farewell to everyone else.  Thanks to Imran and his staff.

Is there a better Curry House in Glasgow for a Special Night out?