For years, the only source of Curry in Bamberg was Swarg (Frauenstraße 2, 96047 Bamberg, Deutschland). This venue I slated, avoided, then began visiting when somehow instinct took me back. A change of owners meant a radical improvement. Cafe Zafran (Brennerstraße 42, 96052 Bamberg, Deutschland) opened in 2015 but is literally on the wrong side of the tracks. I was therefore surprised to find two new venues since my last visit to Bamberg.
Bistro Ravi (Fischstraße 2, 96047 Bamberg Deutschland) is very close to Swarg. Google Maps have it classified as a Takeaway, however, their photos show plated meals. Yesterday morning I went to investigate.
Arriving before opening time, I was taking photos of the exterior and most importantly, the Menu. The lack of Lamb Curry was my first observation. Surely the choices cannot just be Vegetables or Chicken? A door opened, a chap appeared, I had to ask:
Do you not have Lamb?
Lamb Donner – was the reply as he opened the hatch from which they presumably serve Takeaways. I couldn’t see inside, but the tables out front do confirm that one can eat here. Perhaps one day I’ll drop by for an Aloo Gobi (€8.00). Bistro Ravi is closed on Sundays.
Bella Tandoori (Schützenstraße 14, 96047 Bamberg Deutschland) is very close to the Ibis but not in a street one would normally walk down. I would never have found this place by chance, but locate it I did, and yesterday being Monday, it was closed.
Today Hector was back for a lunchtime Curry at 12.30. Walking in to the restaurant the conversation with Mein Host went as follows:
Hello.
One.
Sorry.
Just one.
Outside.
Can I not sit inside?
Outside.
Why?
It’s too hot.
It was only 26ºC as measured in the shade, outside surely had to be warmer.
I walked through the long corridor to the garden at the rear where six diners sat at three tables. They would be replaced by another six, but not soon enough for my liking. One diner had one of those loud voices which he evidently thought was worthy of all the assembled being forced to hear. It’s just as well I understood little of what he was saying.
Irritable, moi?
Mein Host brought the Menu which I couldn’t photograph due to reflections. Fortunately I had recorded the main parts yesterday.
I had Fisch Curry (€12.50) in mind, then at the last minute changed it to Fisch Mix Curry (€14.50) without paying too much attention to the description of the latter. I was hoping for Sabji. Today I tried – Ohne Paprika. A 400ml glass of Sparkling Water (€2.80) would accompany.
I was sat next to a door which led to the living quarters. Mein Host went in at one point, the language spoken intrigued. Bella Tandoori clearly serves Italian and Indian Fayre, not that I looked at the former. Did I hear Russian, or similar?
A Poppadom and three Dips were brought.
Poppadom – said Mein Host as he placed them on the table. For a change I decided to eat the Poppadom, it had the embedded Cumin Seeds, always tasty in their own right.
The red Dip was not as Spicy as anticipated, but not too Sweet. The Mango sauce, it was too thin to be a Chutney, worked very well with the red Dip.
Why are we expected to pay for Poppadoms in the UK?
Mein Host brought the Mains. The Rice was a perfectly judged portion, there would be no wastage.
Fisch Mix Curry
Yes, Hector ordered this, it gets worse.
Here was a classic example of everything that is wrong with Curry, especially in Mainland Europe. Compare this with the wonder that was the Fisch Chettinad as eaten at Indian Mango (München) five days ago. I wouldn’t insult – Shorva – by using the term here, this was just – Soup. This was the thinnest of sauces, with three strips of Tomato and Ginger as a Garnish. I’ll let the reader count the Coriander leaves, there weren’t enough to make an impact.
Swimming in the Soup were Fish and Prawns. Yes, Hector had ordered a Curry with Prawns, Jeenga. I had dismissed – Jeenga – which was not mentioned in this Curry description. However – Garnelen – I did not know are – Shrimps. Four small pieces of Fish and four Prawns, what was I paying for here? The size of this portion was insulting. Time to eat.
The first piece of Fish was a – Wow! – moment. The Flavour from the Salmon was intense. A plateful of this would have been more than acceptable, I had three more bits left. I have written before that I do not think Prawns belong in Curry. Their natural Sweetness is not what I seek. I did learn a lesson at il Nababbo (Sassari, Sardegna) where the Chef had managed to impregnate his Prawns with an incredible amount of Flavour. The Prawns at Bella Tandoori had just been chucked in, nothing special here then.
So what of the Sauce? Finely chopped Garlic was visible and the occasional bit of finely chopped Onion was also spotted. The sauce was simply too Thin, lacked body, many more Onions were required. The Spice built as I ate, when I returned to the remaining Fish, so the pleasure centres were rewarded. Poor as this Curry was, it was still better than the alternative – Deutsche Essen.
Mein Host asked the customary question in passing.
It’s OK.
Indeed, it was – OK – I simply needed more solids.
The Bill
€17.30 (£15.87) Sterling continues to devalue…
The Aftermath
Having paid, I took time to finish my drink. Mein Host was not about as I departed.
Menu extracts
