Indian Mango (Zweibrückenstraße 15, 80331, München, Deutschland) opens at noon on a Sunday. Today’s train to Bamberg was chosen to allow a lunchtime Curry. After yesterday’s sublime Fisch Chettinad (€13.90), there had to be a Lamm Chettinad (€15.00).
Herr Battra, the Manager, was sitting outside having a coffee as I arrived a few minutes before noon. The Restaurant was wide open, to allow the air to circulate. He followed me in. Should I give Clive and Maggie more time? Unbeknown to me, they were sitting in the coffee shop at Isartor S-Bahnhof, I had passed them. My Order was placed before they walked in to Indian Mango at 12.02. The Order was increased, Lamm Chettinad for three, two Spicy, one not so. Two 500ml bottles of Still Water (€3.50) and a 400ml glass of Sparkling Water completed the Order.
Mein host, Mr. Jolly Kunjappu, said he would be here this lunchtime. True to his word, he arrived a few moments later.
Your train is at 14.00 – he remembered. Then he hit us with the shocking news. On September 3rd, the entire building will be up for auction. Mr. Jolly is confident that his business will continue, but nothing is guaranteed. Having seen the ongoing redevelopment in this city anything is possible. Andechs am Dom had to move across their square a year or so back. Worse, in 1996-7, The Mathäser Bierstadt, the World’s largest Bierhalle at that time, closed without warning. For twenty years, around a dozen visits, Hector had been happy to bounce between the Mathäser and the Hofbräuhaus. The closure of the Mathäser forced me to go exploring and find the many new venues that are covered in Bier-Traveller.com. Only yesterday I explained why there are relatively few München Curry Houses covered in Curry-Heute. Why would you go anywhere else when Indian Mango is so wonderful? Note, this argument only applies to a venue abroad where due to time restrictions, one has to operate within the limits imposed. Curry-Heute’s – prime objective – remains – exploration.
Mr. Jolly informed us that the building is estimated to be worth @€17.5 million.
Why don’t you buy it? – asked Maggie.
I have the €17 million – he replied – it’s the extra half million.
If the building is lost, then so too will Indian Mango. Mr. Jolly does not feel he can relocate and start again. His book on Philosophy is being published in Deutsch in four weeks, and in English thereafter. Mr. Jolly will be busy promoting this.
Everything happens for a reason – was his take on the immediate future.
There would be no reason to come to München – Maggie proposed. I knew this was half in jest, but I am inclined to agree. Indian Mango has become the main attraction in any visit.
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Herr Battra brought the food, once again, the Rice portion was ample, sensible.
Lamm Chettinad
I do not recall eating a Curry with the thought foremost in my mind, that this could be for the last time. If ever a Curry was going to be savoured, it was this one.
The Richness of the Masala was evident through its darkness and the thickness. This was the very definition of a – Dry Curry. The Ginger and Tomato Strips were once again present, with a hint of Fresh Coriander. I would pull out a Bay Leaf, who knows what other Herbs were in there?
We asked for – Spicy, it came – Spicy. The Seasoning was down compared to yesterday’s Fisch Chettinad. One would expect a Fish Curry to naturally have more Seasoning, it never fails to astonish how often that is not the case.
The Spice kept building on the palate, the Smokiness was to the fore, the Flavour I recorded as – sharp – whatever that means. There was a sense of – grittiness – but nothing like the way it was say a decade ago. The Meat was – Meaty. Well, yesterday I let Maggie away with describing the Fisch Chettinad as – Fishy. I know this Curry is as much a – Stir Fry – as a bona fide Curry, yet everything tasted as if it belonged, it had been in the right place for some time. What else could be in the Masala? Tomato Seeds were very visible, the ratio of Tomato to Onion must be unique.
I ate every morsel, every grain of Rice. I asked Maggie to explain why she had left some Masala at the bottom of her bowl.
I’ve finished all the relevant bits – was her justification. Maggie continued:
The portion was so huge, I don’t have room.
Once again I have to comment favourably on the Quantity of Meat, a while back it was becoming less than satisfactory.
Clive:
Much better than cornflakes for breakfast.
This time it was Mr. Jolly who offered us the – Mango Cream. He returned a few moments later to say it would be freshly made. For a change, Nuts were the Topping. Something different. Hector can never get enough Nuts.
The Bill
€55.00 (£49.11) What would I be willing to pay for this a year from now?
The Aftermath
There had to be photos, just in case this was – Farewell – and not – Aufwiedersehen. I even gave a Calling Card.
Life is short, nothing can be taken for granted. Don’t put anything off. I very much hope that this is not a case of:
So long and thanks for the Fish.