The conversation this afternoon eventually got around to Curry, it tends to when Hector is present. Actually, I don’t know what else people talk about when Hector is not present. Hector was introduced to John, John was introduced to Curry-Heute. He told me that since his return to Glasgow, he has not found what he was looking for, too much sauce, too little substance. He was not aware that the Southside is where Curry is at.
John insisted we go for Curry, I told him – the rule. When Marg arrived and declared that she was hungry, there was no going back. John, Jamie, Hector were driven over the Kingston Bridge, Karahi Palace (51-53 Nelson Street, Tradeston, Glasgow, G5 8DZ) was the destination.
The downstairs was empty of customers. Mein Host, Ayaz who would serve us, Chef Anwar, whose smile gets bigger every time I come to Karahi Palace, would cook. Chef Rashid is off on a Friday, Qaiser is still on vacation. There was another chap, quite formally dressed, looking important, who was this?
John would follow Hector’s lead and have the customary Karahi Gosht (£7.90) with a Chapatti (£0.70). Jamie was determined not to have the signature dish and found Chicken Tikka Madras (£7.90) under – Chef Specials. Jamie asked for two Chapattis, had he failed to notice that all meals in this section are served with either Rice or a Naan, very Bradfordesque. I certainly didn’t spot this until the time of writing, how often do I look at the Menu at Karahi Palace?
Marg still prefers Boneless Lamb, she asked Ayaz to confirm that this was not possible, did she not believe the Hector? Until Karahi Palace serves Fish, this left Chicken. Chicken Tikka Karahi (£7.50) and one Chapatti for Marg.
Jamie was all for ordering Poppadoms etc, I told him to calm down. When the Modest Salad arrived, Jamie tore into this. That kept him quiet, briefly.
There were diners upstairs, when Ayaz emerged from behind the counter with two large karahi, Hector was on the job. I need a fellow diner to order the kilo, here is possibly one plus a half? Mmmmm.
Here was the opperchancity to see what else was available this evening. The Daal and Chickpea Curry may not have interested the Hector, the Vegetable Curry, however, most certainly did. I have never sampled this here, an oversight that needs rectified.
What was left of the Chicken Sabji suggested this had also been popular today. Eventually this was replaced by a new platter of Chicken Curry. Clearly the Lamb Dishes are all prepared to order.
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Karahi Gosht
The Ginger Strips and Fresh Coriander topped the Masala Mash. This looked the business. John chose to decant as he was already sampling Jamie’s Chicken Tikka Madras.
John was well impressed by what he had this evening:
… just restored my faith in Glasgow Curry. This is the only time in a long time I’ve had to use my fingers. This is the place I would take my mates. I could eat the same again.
I would suggest that when John returns, which he most certainly shall, he orders the kilo.
Sadly, I have to report that tonight’s Karahi Gosht was not up to the usual high standard. In my karahi I had an abundance of the Masala Mash, there may well have been pulped Lamb in there too. This meant that I was left with four large bones with the Meat attached, not a lot of Meat then. I called over to Atyaz:
Ayaz, where’s my Meat?
He got the message, a few minutes later, a plate of more Lamb on-the-bone arrived. This was of course meant I then had more than I would normally receive. I was able to offer John some also. The lips were tingling, all was well, order restored. A Quality Lamb Karahi: super hot on arrival, Spicy, well Seasoned, and the distinctive Flavours which make the Karahi Gosht at Karahi Palace so attractive.
This was Visit #107, a significant number. John asked how I knew. By now he should have found the answer.
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Chicken Tikka Madras
Served in a bowl, because it is not a – Karahi – this Curry looked too – Red – for Hector’s liking. However, this is what people who order such a Curry probably expect. The ratio of Meat to Masala was acceptable, this was not – Mainstream Soupy Curry.
Ballsy but stupid – was Jamie’s opening remark, whatever that meant.
It was certainly Madras hot, and was certainly tasty. I wish I had ordered Lamb.
Indeed, Grasshopper, how many years have you been dining with – The Hector?
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Chicken Tikka Karahi
Despite the added Green Chillies, this was somewhat indistinguishable from the Lamb equivalent, featuring the same Quality and Quantity of – Masala Mash. However, pieces of something horrible were present, these Marg left at the base of her karahi, Marg will not eat Capsicum in a Curry either. So, how did they end up here?
It’s been a long time since I had Chicken – Marg continued – although the sauce was full of flavour, Lamb would have been better.
I just have to work on her tolerance of Lamb on-the-bone.
I had to ask Ayaz about the well dressed chap:
Who is this?
The new manger.
Who are you?
The old manager.
Apparently he was the Delivery Chap standing in for Qaiser who returns next week. Did I hear Ayaz say that he and Qaiser are the co-owners?
The Bill
£34.50 Four diners, well fed, for a modest sum.
The Aftermath
Ayaz produced a copy of – The Herald – supplement. He had been quite cool regarding the write-up on Karahi Palace from a couple of weeks back. Maybe now he appreciates the significance. I showed John and Jamie the reference to Curry-Heute and the certificate which sits proudly on the counter.
John, welcome to Curry-Heute! Whenever you need Curry, let me know, there are other places to explore.