Driving past Khyber Pass Restaurant (221 St. Andrews Road, Glasgow, G41 1PD) recently, I spotted the venue had expanded into the adjacent unit. Being well over two years since the last visit, it was time to investigate. The Saturday afternoon Ritual Curry would feature Afghani Cuisine.
Arriving at 14.55, two were waiting for Takeaways, I took the opperchancity to peek next door. A group of ladies with children were sat in the far corner of the well lit room which as yet as no windows. One assumes the shutters will be transformed in the near future.
I took a table in the corner of the main room, two chaps were at the next table awaiting their order. The Menu was on the table, the prices haven’t changed much in the three years Khyber Pass has been in operation. A half kilo of Lamb Karahi is still £12.00, the full kilo is presently £24.00. A Chilli Nan (£1.00) has yet to be sampled here. I had spotted bottles of Water at the counter with green tops, possibly Sparkling.
There was no sign of Abdul, Mein Host. A chap came to serve, Sparkling Water was asked for.
Maybe fifteen minutes wait – (for the Lamb Karahi) he told me.
No problem.
Had a Lamb Karahi come any quicker I would have been worried. A jug of Tap Water was brought to the table, ah well, no Sparkling Water for Hector.
Fifteen minutes later I was presented with a Salad, Raita, plate and cutlery. This was quite a decent, fresh, Salad. The Raita poured over made for a refreshing start to this afternoon’s proceedings. The Lamb Karahi and Naan arrived a few minutes later.
No Chilli Naan, instead a Plain Naan (60p) was served, or was it? There was no point in making a fuss, I would rather having everything Hot and Fresh.
The Naan was Light, Fluffy and very Hot. The perforations suggest this may in fact have been a Rogni/Kulcha Naan. It took me by surprise, and assuming it would be charged at the printed price, this made a mockery of the inflated prices charged in most Restaurants.
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Afghani Lamb Karahi
Finely chopped Green Chillies and Ginger Strips topped the Karahi which had a very Watery, Tomato-based Masala. There was no sign of Onion anywhere here. As is my way, I ate directly from the karahi, no point in decanting and letting things go cold on the plate.
Namak Mandi – came to mind as soon as I started eating, the simplicity of whatever made this – Afghani – was there. The Kick was decent but the Seasoning was way below what I had hoped for, not – Namkeen – then. I counted ten pieces of Meat, many on-the-bone. The Meat retained firmness, each piece was a pleasure to eat.
Once more at Khyber Pass, this Lamb Karahi bore little resemblance to what had been served here previously. The chap who may well have been the manger this afternoon came over to check on my progress. Rice and/or more Bread was offered. I told him I was happy with what I had.
This Lamb Karahi was not outstanding but was closer in style to what I prefer to eat than anything I have been served in the last few weeks. As I reached the base of the karahi so I began to encounter pulped Lamb in the Masala. There was a definite sense of Seasoning coming through, by the end I had something a lot closer to what I had hoped for. This Lamb Karahi was a slow burner. I would leave – a Happy Hector.
The Bill
£13.30 Oh, you pay for the Salad? – I put to the chaps at the counter.
The Aftermath
I showed the photo of Abdul and Hector on Curry-Heute. Mein Host was due in later I was informed.
Around the corner I passed Cafe Reeshah, or more correctly – New Cafe Reeshah. Karahi was advertised on their window. Perhaps I should give them another chance.
Khyber Pass Menu
