Marg and Hector arrived in Cagliari, Sardinia, early this afternoon. By the time we had checked in to Hotel Italia, there was only one possible lunch venue: Namaste Indian
Tandoori Food (63, Via Barcellona, 09124 Cagliari Sardegna Italia), all other sources of Indian Food close for the afternoon at 15.00. Note the – all other – yes there are multiple venues, but with – Tandoori – appearing in the names of three outlets, they could be a chain. Hector Holmes is on the case, again.
Arriving at Namaste @15.00, tables were occupied outside, we walked in and chose a table inside, all were available. Namaste is a Curry Cafe, I was prepared for the plastic plates and cutlery but still have to challenge why these are favoured over proper crockery and eating irons. The Lady Hostess brought the illustrated Menu. Once the front page covering mostly Kebap and Thali had been eliminated, it was down to the serious stuff.
Allu Gobhi Masala (€4.00) was my first choice of the day. Korma aside, there was only one Lamb Curry and the published photo showed it would be – Soupy. It was a matter of – Curry on regardless. Hector has not had Lamb in well over two weeks, there is a fear that my DNA is becoming bovine. Agnello al Curry (€6.00) accompanied by a Cipolla (Onion) Naan (€2.00) completed my food choices.
Marg has been enjoying Salads for lunch most days on this trip, Insalata Mista (€4.50) maintained this. Additionally, Marg selected Piatto misto de fritti (€5.00) a selection which would include: Bread Pakora, Samosa, Onion Bhaji and Aloo Tikki.
One 500ml bottle of Sparkling Water (€1.00) and two ‘glasses’ of Mango Lassi (€2.00) completed the Order.
Spicy or Medium? – we were asked. Perhaps not so relevant to Marg, I asked for – Spicy. This is an option that has not previously been offered on this trip.
The Drinks arrived, decent portions of Mango Lassi with welcomed ice cubes. The tables had glass tops, the only glass we would see here.
Under the glass were comments written in a variety of languages, though none in English. A feature of this trip has been a lack of British tourists, not once have we engaged with people from the UK in either Corsica or Sardegna. A Calling Card would look good under the glass, I thought.
The food was brought on separate trays. The Naan would arrive last which gave me plenty of time to make the usual photographic records.
Allu Gobhi Masala
This was a suitably – Dry – offering. The Masala was minimal in the extreme, just as I would appreciate an Aloo Gobi in the UK. In addition to Potato and Cauliflower, Onions were mixed in. On seeing the – yellow – Marg was already fearing Turmeric stains on my white t-shirt.
Wow & Gosh !!!
This Aloo Gobi was not just – good – it was the best food I have put in my mouth since leaving Glasgow. The Seasoning was brave in the extreme, yet the food was not – too Salty – well not to the Hector palate anyway. The Spice hit home, hard, Hector would soon be developing a sweat. The Texture of the Vegetables was spot on, still some firmness in the Cauliflower. This was not mush.
I would recommend that everyone visiting – Namaste – orders the Aloo Gobi, it was up there with the best I have ever had.
Cipolla Naan
Served in wedges, this Naan was decidedly thin. It was well fired, which saved it from being ridiculed. Kulcha aside, I expect my Naans to have some puffiness.
Agnello al Curry
The presentation did this Lamb Curry no favours. What at first looked like six pieces of Meat swimming in a sea of Shorva is the opposite of how Hector seeks his Curry. I would go on to find more Meat, so the portion was actually respectable, and given the price, actually quite good value. The Masala was decidedly – Orange – fitting for today’s date? The colour may well have been natural, the Masala could well have been Tomato-based, with minimal, if any, Onion.
I dipped a piece of the Naan into the Masala. There was a flood of Flavour. The Onion in the Naan was complemented by the addition of Coriander. The Onion, Coriander and Spicy Tomato hit home. This was not bad at all. Once again there was what I would consider to be a decent level of Seasoning, and this Curry was indeed Spicy, as Marg confirmed when she came a-visiting.
The Meat looked a bit silly sitting in all this Masala, Rice would have been the better accompaniment, yet the Bread was proving to be a worthy companion. Hector was actually tasting – Lamb, something taken for granted at home. At times I wonder just how much Lamb a man can eat. When one has been deprived for so long, the appreciation of why this is the best Meat for Curry is amplified. Having said that, I am surprised I have not come across any Fish Curry in Sardegna.
Our Hostess came over to ascertain that all was well. Here was the first opperchancity to praise the Aloo Gobi. I also got across that this is not how I like my – Curry. Meanwhile, Marg was enjoying her Salad and Mixed Fry up.
Insalata Mista
A mixed Salad consisting of Sweetcorn, shredded Lettuce, Tomato, Carrot and Red Cabbage, plus a wedge of Lemon.
Refreshing – said Marg.
There were also two accompanying Dips. The Sour Cream was enjoyed:
It had a wee kick to it.
Marg didn’t fancy the other Dip. Onion and possibly Cumin Seeds show in the photo. Neither of us touched Dip #2, an oversight when I now see it.
Piatto misto di fritti
A few days ago, Marg relayed that in a Scottish Breakfast, she cannot abide Fried Bread or Potato Scones. The Bread Pakora was the Indian take on Fried Bread. For Marg, this was the only disappointment in her meal today.
The Samosa was filled with Potato and Peas.
Warm inside, it was like mashed Potatoes and Peas.
The two Onion Bhajis were crispy and freshly made – Marg assured me.
I believe this is the first – Aloo Tikki – to appear on Curry-Heute. In effect, a big ball of Spicy Mashed Potato fried in Breadcrumbs.
Again, lovely and warm, Spicy Potato, a new Starter for me – declared Marg.
Meanwhile, the sweat was well and truly flowing on Hector’s side of the table. There was a lot of eating, and for once I would eat every piece of the Naan. The plates were wiped clean. This was the best Curry Experience of the trip so far. I suspect a return visit to Namaste may be necessary, if only to have the Aloo Gobi once more.
The Bill
€26.50 (£23.87) Two well fed customers for a fair price.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was presented with my usual spiel and the Huawei. This was well received. We were in the company of a Lady from the Punjab, my favourite region in the Indian Subcontinent for food. Here was an opperchancity to mention Karahi Gosht and show some of the – Dry Karahi – that feature on the slide show. Our Hostess took it in her stride that I was a food blogger. On seeing the ridiculously large Naan on the – About – page, she fetched her own device and showed a video of a chap in India making a Chapatti the size of a dining table.
The – farewell – was very much a case of – arrivederci!
And so it was time to explore Cagliari. There is a very steep hill behind the port. The views from the top showed all that we have to cover in the next few days. It’s a pity that two venues visited later today were – closed for the summer.
Namaste – The Menu
