Hector and Marg have just spent six days in Corsica (France) where there are no Curry Houses, not one. The – Yellow Sauce – with – Extra Big Onions – may have been available at – other places. Hector likes to think there are some standards left in this World, if not, in Curry-Heute. There was no Donner Kebap either. It was known in advance that the chances of finding Indian Cuisine were next to nil, the Kebap Shop invasion has not reached Corsica either. We saw one – KFC – presumably there are more, and no outlets for the big burger chains. Corsicans are expected to survive on overpriced Pizza and Burgers, or spend even more on Haute Cuisine.
Ironically, at A Vista, our first chosen dining spot in Ajaccio (Corsica), Marg found – Samosa – on the Menu. Goat’s Cheese Samosa, something different.
I do have to blog A Vista (4 Quai Napoléon, 20000 Ajaccio, Corsica, France) as we went there on consecutive days, for Hector, the same meal both times. The Linguine with Mussels was truly outstanding. A mountain of Pasta, a very simple and minimal – Garlic-based Sauce – with the juices from the Mussels adding that certain – je ne sais quoi.
I have eaten a lot of Pasta in the last week, in France.
Today was a very long day, seven hours of actual travelling, with enforced two hours plus waits either side of the ferry from Bonifacio (Corsica, France) to Santa Teresa Gallura (Sardinia, Italia). Having had a substantial – Dejeuner – at Bonifacio, we were only looking for a snack as we wandered the busy streets of Olbia for the first time this evening. Marg declared that a – Green Salad – would be enough for her. Knowing of one Curry source in Olbia, Pak Kashmir Donner Kebab, this would be held back until lunchtime tomorrow. On spotting a Kebab Shop, Hector was straight in, alas all the seats outside were taken, we were not going to sit on the steps of the square as Marg suggested. The days of eating a late night Vegetable Pakora in a Shawlands close have long since gone. We moved on.
Moments later I spotted the magical words – Indian Food. There was no holding back the Hector. A dozy female who could have been a customer, but turned out to be a Waitress, was bypassed. Camera in hand, I approached the counter, there on display was Chicken Biryani, Chicken Curry on-the-bone and a Meat Curry.
I had to ask, Beef Curry was confirmed. I ordered this on Basmati, the Green Salad (€3.00) for Marg, and two tins of Soft Drinks. (I had already drunk two litres of Sparkling Water today.)
We were in a Kebab Shop in Olbia, Sardegna, what was it called? I went outside to look for a name. Kebab Novo Gusto was one Menu poster. Gusto – appeared to be the name of either the building complex, or the square opposite.
The Drinks came, tiny plastic cups. Italian Fanta, not as Sweet as served in the UK, closer to Belgium, which has a markedly paler colour.
Marg’s Salad arrived, a big plateful for €3.00, but lacking the Black Olives which were illustrated. Marg, in her best French, attracted the attention of a Chap who also appeared to be a Waiter. The Black Olives were asked for, they never came. Maybe employing – Italian – would have been a better ploy. Olives aside, this Salad had everything Marg likes in a Green Salad.
Beef (Veal) Curry
Quite a plateful. Thankfully the abundant Oily Shorva had been withheld to some extent. The massive amount of Rice had already absorbed whatever Masala had been included. The Toppings of shredded Onion and Lettuce, a slice of Tomato and some Sweetcorn made the Curry look as if it had simply not been chucked on a plate.
Expectations were low. They sank even lower after the first mouthful. Curry Powder – was my first pronouncement – that’s the dominant Flavour. Still, it was an attempt at a – Curry.
The Spice Level was at the bottom end of the scale, as in next to non-existent. The Seasoning, ah, the Seasoning. This saved the day, this Curry suddenly had potential. I counted the Meat, at least a dozen pieces. The Meat was very Tender, having been sat in the Masala, there was hope. Why do I have – levels of expectation?
I spotted some dark Seeds which could not identify, then some Tomato Seeds. There was no sign of Onion in the Shorva and so I concluded a Tomato-base. I then found a piece of Cinnamon Bark. This Curry was improving by the minute.
I had to switch my attention to the Rice and Toppings else they would have been left. Everything here was – Fresh. Eventually I had parity with Meat and Rice, a Curry.
I am not going to suggest that this Curry was in any way outstanding. It was very enjoyable, especially given the withdrawal symptoms. The Curry was decidedly better than a Beef Stew, it did need a bigger – Spice Kick. This was – Curry for the masses.
The Lady, who was clearly Mein Hostess, came over to ask the customary question. We expressed our pleasure, here was the Opperchancity to identify the premises. It took a few attempts to register – Pak Kebab. The aforementioned Waiter assured me proudly that they are not on Google. They are now – Pak Kebab (Via Acquedotto 2b, 07026 Olbia OT Sardegna Italia), and on another Social Medium. Why let one venue in Olbia get all the publicity?
I went up to pay, Calling Card and the Huawei at the ready.
Mein Host was happy to chat, though as we talked across each other, I probably missed a lot. I had to tell him there was a – Business Opperchancity – in Corsica. He mentioned something about paperwork and passports. What happened to Schengen then?
The Lady was very enthusiastic about the Calling Card. They have been in operation for seven years. A delightful couple, I wish them every success. Perhaps they could refine what is on offer in terms of Curry, a bigger Spice option, a written Menu?
The Bill
€11.20 (£10.00) This is a quarter of what we have been paying for meals in Corsica. Corsica need Curry Cafes, I suspect they are going to be abundant in Sardegna.
The Aftermath
A couple of doors down was yet another Kebab Shop selling Curry – Pak Kashmir. The concept was pretty much what I had just experienced, Kebap rules. They too had a Chicken Curry and a Meat Curry. Veal – a helpful Waitress told me. I’ll be back. Tomorrow’s lunchtime Curry should hopefully be here then, Pak Kashmir Donner Kebab as located by Google have had it all their own way for too long. However, I suspect both venues are the same business.
Then there was the first of two wind ups today. Namaste, a wine restaurant, no Curry.
Later, Marg ordered – a large milky coffee- in Italian !
Update – July 7, 2019
Heading to PAK Kashmir for Curry-Heute, we stopped to take photos of the fountain in the square. I could not help but notice the chap sitting at Pak Kebab where we ate last night. Assuming this to be Mein Host, over I went to show yesterday’s write up. Maybe it wasn’t him… Carry On Regardless.
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