Curry-Heute Visits – Glasgow Mela – 2019

Mela – flashed upon a social medium, it was today. With Marg coming back from Aberdoom this afternoon, we arranged to meet up after the Bad Boys’ Club (BBC) and head to Kelvingrove, we were in no haste.

My source suggested that the event would end at 22.00, arriving just after 20.00 most people had gone, the drums of yesteryear had stopped beating. I knew exactly where I was heading having seen the large Curry stand on our last visit. Somehow I favoured Babu Bombay Street Kitchen  last time over Lahori Streetfood, that’s loyalty for you.

I had to stop for a photo with Alma Mater #1 in the background, the University Tower has been part of the Curry-Heute banner since its inception. We also passed a couple of new additions to the park.

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Staff were clearing the huge Tawa on which the food had been cooked. It was only as I reached the barriers that I realised that both ends were closed off. A security chap informed me that they had stopped serving.

Hector was having none of this, there was still plenty of food in sight, why let it go to waste?

I called to one of the young chaps in the stall:

Can I see your boss please?

Mein Host was fetched, the Calling Card was handed over and studied:

What would you like?

Karahi, Lamb?

This was greeted with approval, a thumbs up:

For how many?

Just the two of us.

He went to the back and assembled two portions on Naan.

The Bill

How much?   No money changed hands.

And so – Be Nice to Hector Week – continued.

We found an empty table which would have been impossible earlier.

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Karahi Gosht

Look how – Dry – this is. Actually, look at what’s not there: no Soupy Masala, and none of the dreaded Ballast! There are those who know what a Karahi is, most establishments appear not to, or simply choose to serve an inferior product.

What can taste better than Curry-Gratis?

Lovely, Gerry – was Marg’s first comment. (Who?)

I assume she was referring to the Curry.

My lips are tingling, nicely, very tender – she continued.

The Meat was very – Soft – and – on-the-bone, spot the – Sucky Bone.  The Spice was there, the Seasoning was well within acceptable parameters. This was a Quality Curry.

The Menu suggested all was served in a Naan, I would have put this somewhere between a thick Chapatti and a Middle Eastern Pitta.

We were having fun. Clearly, Hector knows how to show a Lady a good time. Then the harassment began. Security wanted us out. We were in a public park which was still open, as far as I knew. No way was I moving on until we had eaten. Others still occupied the remaining tables. A chap, who I guessed correctly was Nigerian, engaged us, time to use diversionary tactics.

What’s the name of the magnificent Nigerian Spicy Stew that I had in Lagos?

He knew exactly what I was talking about: Buka Stew aka Obe Ata Dindin, but he couldn’t remember the name. He was stumped, this bought us the required extra few minutes to eat at an enjoyable pace.

I went back to the tent and called over to thank Mein Host. I asked where Shangreela were based, Huddersfield – was the reply. The Curry of Huddersfield has been well appreciated in the years of Curry-Heute.

Shangreela Caterers (3 King Cliffe Rd, Huddersfield HD2 2RR England)

The Aftermath

Dessert was required to make a Perfect Day. There had to be the spectacular Ice Cream from the University Cafe. It was closed, why so early? Hector was not for giving up. The Uni Take Away next door (same business) had Ice Cream cartons piled up at the window…success!

This is a happy Marg

I’m not having Curry tomorrow, but do plan to overdose again this week, Hector knows what lies ahead, a – Curry Desert.