Lord Clive and Lady Maggie collected Hector at Gatwick two hours after the scheduled arrival time, something to do with a French Air Traffic Controllers’ strike – yesterday. There’s a new Curry House in Crawley, The excellent – Downsman – would be passed by, Tamashah – Spice of Life (91 High St, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1BA England) had to be investigated.
Clive and Maggie had yet to visit this High Street venue housed in the former Green Shield Stamps premises next to the recently refurbished – Brewery Shades. They had both been made aware that the Buffet was at street level with a la carte upstairs. Knowing that Hector normally eschews – Buffet – no decision had been made until we arrived @20.30. That the cuisine was Bangladeshi was something Tamashah have let the public know they are proud of, allegedly. With Hector’s preference for Punajbi Cuisine, a Main Course Bangladeshi Curry might not impress.
The sheer number of diners having the Buffet suggested that they knew something, The High Street was relatively quiet for a Friday night, perhaps everyone was at Tamashah?
The Buffet Menu (£14.95) was on display, there was enough there to give a representation of what Tamashah is capable of. We were invited to wait whilst a table was made ready. Yes, the TV is on the floor. Moments later, a table on a raised seating area was made available, this was relatively quiet. A Waiter verified that we were not dining a la carte, I suspect that this was still available despite our locus.
He explained the – eat as much as one desires – concept, just in case. In addition to the Wine and Bier List, he related the £3.50 flat fee for Fizzy Drinks. The latter suited Hector, Maggie opted for a bottle of Ginger Beer, Lord Clive unsurprisingly had a pint of Cobra.
To The Buffet
A display of Interesting Salads attracted Maggie and Hector, Clive would have the Chicken Corn Soup. Having returned to the table the Salads were found to be particularly tasty, but where was the usual Fayre one finds in Buffet Starters? Examining the Menu once again, Hector realised that the Solids were in the Buffet Kettles. A plate was piled high with Lamb Samosas (small), Onion Bhaji, Aloo Chana Chat, Onion Rings and Paneer Tikka.
The array was refreshing, the Salad error had worked in our favour. Having consumed an elegant sufficiency, we were not stuffed. After a short gap it was time…
Buffet Mains #1
Hector returned with Bengal Lamb, Duck Rogan Josh, Hyderabadi Biriyani, Vegetable Sylhet and Saag Aloo, a veritable plateful. Maggie’s selection was Chicken Tikka and Prawn on Toast which Hector had not taken from the Starters. These were accompanied by Garlic Mushroom, Prawn Dansak and the Biryani which was Lamb on-the-bone. Clive had managed to secure the Biryani, Garlic Mushroom, Rogan Josh and Bengal Lamb. Only Clive’s plate had acquired a piece of Capsicum which was thankfully not a major feature of this Buffet.
The Biryani provided enough Rice and extra Meat. This was suitably – Dry – and complemented the other Curry selections. Clive had managed to take a – Sucky Bone – in his Biryani. He was first to remark on the impressive Spice Level of the Bengal Lamb. One cannot typically expect – Spicy Curry – in a Buffet which has to cater for the masses, however, at Tamashah this was one of three Dishes labelled – Spicy. The Seasoning in the Bengal Lamb was the standout for Hector, this Curry impressed in exactly the same way that the Duck Rogan Josh did not, the Duck Curry was a manifestation of – Bland.
The highlight of the Buffet for Hector turned out to be the Vegetable Sylhet which featured Turnip (possibly), Carrot, Peas, Potato, Onions, Broccoli (possibly) and more. This could well have been the Spiciest element on the plate, the Spice and Seasoning were fit for the Hector palate, the Flavours the strongest of what lay before. The Saag Aloo was also well Seasoned, things were going very well, next time – Weniger Ente!
Like Hector, Maggie likes her food to be served – Hot. The food was on the right side of – Warm, but could have done with a boost. Having cleared our plates it was time for a top up. Our plates were handed to a passing Waiter. The number of Waiters present for a Buffet did baffle, one concludes they were more to do with ensuring everyone’s drink requirements were met. On the third glass of Fizzy Orange, Hector felt that – money’s worth – had been achieved.
Taking photos in such busy premises can be difficult. On seeing me take the opperchancity, a Waiter invited me to go upstairs. Only one table was occupied, one set of a la carte diners. The sheer scale of Tamashah impressed, this place must have cost mega-bucks to transform from its previous incarnation.
Buffet Mains #2
There had to be more Vegetable Sylhet, being an honourable citizen the Tarka Daal had to be sampled. Despite my feeling about Prawn Curry the Dansak would be risked. Clive was keen to try the Vegetable Sylhet on my recommendation, he is Mr. Dansak. Maggie fell for the Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Aloo and Prawn Dansak. This time we all took a piece of the fresh Naan on offer. The Crawley Couple chose Garlic Naan, Hector stuck to Plain.
I don’t get Dansak and I don’t get Prawn Curry. What was the difference between this Masala and the Tarka Daal? It was a light way to end the meal with again the Vegetable Sylhet giving optimum satisfaction.
A Waiter from Palermo came to check all was well. I did mention that I found the Vegetable Curry to be the outstanding Dish. Mein Host came over moments later, the same comment was repeated. It was time to introduce – Curry-Heute. He took the still trusty but controversial – Huawei – and held on to it throughout our chat. We had to ask about the décor. A million was quoted. Wow! Quite an investment. Mein Host told us also that the Dishes are rotated from the Main Menu, indeed, we could ask for anything not on offer and it could be brought to our table. Seekh Kebab was mentioned specifically.
Another Waiter tried to entice us to have Dessert. I had to give the classic response:
If I had room for Dessert, I would eat more Curry.
This was an impressive Mainstream Buffet. Nothing competes with The Village’s (Glasgow) Ramadan Buffet. It is Ramadan, Hector will have to get along, a 21.15 kick-off I learned today whilst hanging around Glasgow Airport. In terms of Crawley Curry, The Downsman shall continue to reign supreme, Lamb Chops, Methi Gosht, it’s a Hector thing.
The Bill
£54.55 We were replete, Tamashah made a profit.
The Aftermath
I suggested a taxi to Brewery Shades, Clive told me of the time they did take a taxi across the street.
