I picked up very appreciated feedback from Curryspondent Howard #2 whilst sitting on the tarmac at Wien Flughafen this morning. It put me in the mood for more Curry. When Marg announced she was off to watch some late afternoon hockey, a Takeaway from New Kismet Tandoori (311 Drumry Rd, Drumchapel, Glasgow, G15 8PA) became fixed in Hector’s mind. I have eaten quite a bit of Mainstream Curry in the last couple of weeks, I’ll get back to one of my usual haunts on Saturday no doubt. New Kismet is Hector’s local Takeaway, nine visits in twenty seven years hardly makes one a regular.
Seeing New Kismet in daylight felt strange, it’s usually November-December when I take the notion. Entering at 17.10 it was easier to park outside than I have ever experienced, Tuesdays must be quiet. I stuck to my usual script:
Lamb Karahi (£6.50) with extra Methi and no Capsicum, Special Rice (£2.50).
The Bill
£8.40 Same as I have paid for this Order before, and I still don’t know how this total is achieved.
Do you want Onions? – asked the chap who served.
Yes, Onions are good – I replied.
I didn’t know which part of the Order he was referring to. Spiced Onions to accompany? Big Blobs of Onion in the Karahi? Hector can cope with Onions, though it’s a pity that at this venue the Masala for the Karahi is not Tomato-based.
I took a Menu, in all my visits I have never posted the Menu, that changes today. A chap came in delivering armfuls of Fizz, I recognised him, but from where? Mein Host came in also, he spotted me before I recognised him. The greeting was warm, instantaneous, he slapped my hand as much as shook it. I believe it is he who is a friend/relative of Mein Host at Cafe Serena in Glasgow’s Southside. I must be well overdue a return to that venue.
The Takeaway was unpacked, huge portions, with a Starter, two could easily share this. For one, it’s a matter of take a plateful and see what happens later.
The Rice had Onion slices in addition to the expected Peas and Mushrooms. A minimum of Fresh Coriander sat atop the Curry. The Karahi here looks like any other Mainstream Lamb Curry, for true Karahi Gosht one should cross the River Clyde.
There was a favourable ratio of Meat to Masala meaning that this was far from – Soup. The Meat was delightfully – Soft – the advantage of taking Lamb from – The Big Pot. The Spice Level was no more than Moderate, I should have asked for – Extra Chillies. Thankfully the Overall Flavour was far from the ubiquitous – Clydebank Curry Taste – despite New Kismet being metres from the boundary. Had the Seasoning been braver then surely even more Flavour would have emerged. The remnants prove the viscosity of the Masala. This was Pleasant, Satisfying, no more.
Having tried all the nearby Takeaway venues at some point, New Kismet definitely stands above the rest. It is frustrating that the north west corner of our fair city cannot offer something outstanding. Why does New Kismet not offer – Achari?
The Aftermath
Marg returned @21.00, she hadn’t been fed. The leftovers were mixed together, to create a Biryani-like mass. Ding! Marg was well impressed – Lovely – she exclaimed. She was hungry, I then realised that Marg has never tasted a Curry from New Kismet.
I note that New Kismet – Biryani – is served with a – Medium Curry Sauce. As I pondered two days ago in Wien at Natraj, does this only happen in Scotland?
New Kismet – Menu extracts
