Wien – Natraj – Indian Cuisine – Well worth a visit

Yes Marg and Hector went to the – Zoo. It’s a Marg thing. Thereafter it was a case of choosing a Curry House in the vicinity of The Brick Makers where we had a particularly good time last night. It’s a Bier thing. Natraj – Indian Cuisine (Neustiftgasse 50, 1070 Wien Österreich) was one of half a dozen possibilities, it was chosen because many of the photos on other sources featured drier looking Curry.

Arriving at 19.40 the main room was busy. The Chap who would serve us asked if we had a reservation. We were shown to a small table in the back room. A family were just finishing, we would then have this to ourselves for the duration.

The Menu was weird, page after page of Drinks. A 700ml bottle of Sparkling Water (€5.00) was marginally cheaper than ordering the equivalent in Bier. On reaching the food section of the Menu, there were plenty of Chicken Dishes to choose from, but few Lamb. Lamm Chitnadu (€10.90) was there, too many Lamb Dishes featured the dreaded – Green Ballast – or Coconut Milk. Beef Vindaloo (€10.50) was considered, I decided to test the Chef.

Marg was having similar problems, she could have gone down the Chicken route but now also feels that Chicken is simply – Meat Ballast. Lamb Biryani (€13.90) was her surprising choice. Brian, Mein Host at Brick Makers may have planted the notion after our lengthy discussion about Curry last night. That this Biryani came with – Yogurt salad – allayed her fear about being served something too dry as happened at Dum Pukht (Tunis).

Mein Host came through to take the Order:

Can I have Bhunna Gosht (€10.90) without the Paprika?

He went away to check, all was well. Marg’s Biryani was ordered, Hector added Vegetable Pulao (€2.50) and the Sparkling Water. Spice Level was then discussed, Natraj offer a range of four levels, Marg chose – Medium, Hector – Spicy. There was no need for – Very Spicy.

There was a sense of the adjacent busy room emptying though one large group remained. In all I estimated that Natraj could accommodate around thirty diners. The décor was simple, a few wall hangings. I felt I blended in with my yellow t-shirt.

Lamb Biryani

A mound of Rice with Meat and Vegetables buried within, a Biryani. A large cooked Tomato topped this. Peas and Carrots were the featured Vegetables, Herbs and a Clove were encountered too. Almonds and Cashew Nuts were in there also. Marg found large pieces of Lamb accompanied by large slices of Onion. It’s uncanny how large pieces of Onion are drawn towards Marg, or is it the other way about?

Tangy – was the first comment.

The Cucumber in the – Yogurt salad – confirmed that this was – Raita. Marg put this to good use, adding a bit more moisture to her Dish, though she did find the Rice to have its own moistness.

Marg asked if it was silly to say she could taste the – Lamb.

A new dish for me, I’ve only only eaten one before. Large pieces of tender lamb which I cut up to spread the meat though the rice. An interesting flavour in the rice with all the vegetables. It was completed by the lovely creamy Raita. A very enjoyable dish with no need for bread. I managed to finish it.

The Vegetable Pulao had the same Vegetables as the Biryani, a Clove emerged from this too, same pot? The portion size was sensible, I hate seeing an excess which I know will never be eaten.

Bhunna Gosht

Again, there was a cooked Tomato sitting atop the Curry. The Masala was Creamy but not such that it approached Tikka Masala levels. The hoped for viscosity was there. When was I last served a really – Dry Bhuna? I decanted eight large pieces of Lamb, each would be halved, plenty of Meat.

The Bhuna was well Spiced, a good – Kick, nothing silly. I noted the Seasoning as being – Fine, however as I ate on I felt it was below the – Hector ideal. With Herbs strewn through the Masala there was plenty of Flavour coming across. I too could not help be impressed by the Flavour from the Lamb itself. I appeared to have been eating essentially the same Dish as Marg but with a Masala included. This used to be – the Glasgow way – to serve Biryani.

Mein Host asked in passing how we were enjoying our food. He then came back to ask more formally. On both occasions we were very positive. The Curry was very good, not sensational, we both enjoyed our meals. Every grain of Rice was eaten, at the end, all that was left on each plate was a solitary Clove.

The Bill

€32.30 (£27.76) I doubt if we will find better value than this in our four days in Wien.

The Aftermath

The Calling Card was well received, Mein Host took the Huawei to study the Blog.

You have been to India – he remarked scrolling through the list of countries down the right column. Our appreciation was expressed once more. The staff were keen to pose for the parting photo. Natraj, well worth a visit.

Menu – extracts