Kirsty and Ross are in the West of Scotland this weekend, cue a Lomond reunion. Eleanor arranged a Curry Night in Helensburgh. Annaya’s (80-82 West Princes St., Helensburgh, G84 8XD) was the chosen venue, exactly a year since Hector’s last visit. The booking was made for 19.30, just the nine diners.
It was raining as we left the Sir Howard Young, in the final metres, crossing Princes Street, there was yet another deluge. How can one get so wet in an instant? Those who were leaving Annaya’s were going nowhere fast. Those assembled saw the consequences of the deluge.
Rocky was there once again to serve us this evening. With my heart set on Methi Gosht, I took a photo of the Special Menu, no Methi Gosht. I would ask Rocky to talk The Company through the Specials.
Mr. Blogger – is how Hector was addressed by Rocky. The Menu was photographed in full, again the reflections made this difficult. Rocky was very enthusiastic about the Multani Lamb. A Pakistani Dish – is how Rocky described it. Further research suggests this should be Lamb cooked in a clay dish. He brought a Soupçon to the table. 
The Masala was very tasty, well Seasoned with a decent Spice Level, however, the Masala was decidedly a – Shorva. This would have meant a Rice accompaniment, or a lot of splashing with Bread. Hector was intent on ordering Bread to establish if they could bring to the table, exactly what was ordered. Not a big ask, but last year they didn’t. Ah, the joy of blogging where everything is recorded.
Impressive Lamb Tandoori Chops (£6.50) were a feature of my last visit. Having established that a portion is three, Marg decided to let me have the full portion, for once. She would share two Starters with Eleanor: Vegetable Pakora (£3.95) and Vegetable Samosa (£4.95). It was Rocky who introduced Mix Platter for 2 (£10.95) for consideration. Steve and Louise were up for this, as were Kirsty and Ross. Howard chose Fish Pakora (£5.95), presumably Tracey would share.
Desi Lamb (£12.95) would be Hector’s choice. This was verified only after Rocky assured me that I would see no Capsicum. No Capsicum in anything – was Rocky’s declaration at my end of the table, I am told that by the time he reached the far end, this had been reduced to – some dishes may have Capsicum.
I asked for my Desi Lamb to be served – above Medium, and my Chilli and Coriander Naan (£3.50) to be served – whole – and have no Garlic.
Pour les autres
I did suggest we make my life simpler by all ordering the same thing, not to be. Marg took the Fish option – Punjabi Muchli (£12.95) with a solitary Chapatti (£0.90). Eleanor had me convinced that she was having the Multani Lamb, but in fact chose the Railway Boti (£12.95). When Eleanor mentioned Rice, Rocky suggested that he bring four bowls (£2.50 – £2.95 ?) for sharing. As more Bread was being ordered, this made sense. Steve followed Hector’s Naan choice, Kirsty called for a Peshwari Naan (£3.25) and Howard, a Vegetable Paratha (£3.25).
I don’t know what Steve’s first choice was, he told me later that it was not available because Annaya’s had run out of Cabbage. Cabbage? This is not a Bangladeshi Restaurant. I did hear Steve describe to Rocky exactly what he looks for in a Curry, Lamb Chilli Tawa (£12.95) was the compromise. Louise had her usual (?) Lamb Rogan Josh (£9.50). Ross, who is actually – Dr. Ross – but only drops this into the conversation sparingly, opted for Gosht Makhanwala (£12.95) which I hadn’t seen since Visit #2 when Marg ordered it. After much discussion involving Chicken and Thighs, Kirsty informed me she was having a Chicken (Thigh) Special Karahi (£8.95). We’ll look for this on – The Bill. Finally, both Howard and Tracey chose the Multani Lamb.
We were out – to dine – drinks were required. Hector departed from the usual Sparkling Water in favour of bottled Cider. Others had Wine and/or fizzy Lager.
Two plate-loads of Poppadoms with Spiced Onion were presented along with four Dips which were intended to accompany the various Starters. Hector was very much the spectator whilst these were being devoured. British Poppadoms hold very little interest for me presently, Ross, sitting immediately on my right, enthused about the Spiced Onions. I was almost tempted, I told Ross that I by far prefer the European Poppadoms with the embedded Cumin Seeds.
Fortunately for Hector, the Starters began to arrive in good time. In the meantime, Zak, Mein Host, stood in the doorway between the kitchen and the dining area. He manages the kitchen, Hector was acknowledged and given the thumbs up. It has been a while since we chatted.
Lamb Tandoori Chops
Three very large Lamb Chops with a Salad Garnish. The Chops were well cooked with enough burnt extremities to excite. The Spice was there, whilst the Chops were full of Flavour, they were far too chewy. Thinner Chops and more of them would have been a better scenario. Still, Hector was able to have a full portion of Lamb Chops in the company of Marg, a treat.
Vegetable Pakora
Nine pieces were described by Marg as – quite enough. In the end, she and Eleanor only managed four apiece, one went back, defeat.
Fresh – said Marg – almost as good as – but she was interrupted, the sentence never completed. The Pakora at the much missed – Akash – remains Marg’s yardstick against which all Vegetable Pakora is compared.
Such was the surplus of Pakora to my right, a piece came my way. Not bad at all, I resisted more as I was probably still gnawing my way through the Lamb Chops.
Fish Pakora
Howard gave me no tasting notes, I can only describe the portion as being of an adequate size and enough to share. Again, the Pakora looked – Fresh. This could well have been the most sensible of the Starters this evening.
Samosa
The sheen and the flakiness suggests that the Samosas may have been deep fried, which would be quite a departure from the norm. If not, then I am intrigued as to the glaze.
The Samosa was well worth the money – was Marg’s verdict. Eleanor informed me that when one orders Samosa as a Takeaway, it is accompanied by a Chickpea Sauce. This, she missed.
Mix Platter
For 2, for two people with huge appetites to be more precise. How two could eat all this then do a Main Course justice, mystifies. This was the proverbial plateful, even more than Hector was tempted to have at the Eid Buffet last week at The Village (Glasgow).
I assume a selection of Vegetable, Mushroom and Chicken Pakora was present. The Tikka Lamb appeared to be the highlight, possibly better than the Lamb Chops? There was Tandoori Chicken in there too plus a Seekh Kebab.
Never mind the Fish Pakora and being sensible, next time at Annaya’s, Hector will be looking for someone to share the Mix Platter.
It was just after 21.00 when the Mains started to arrive. There was not one empty seat at Annaya’s this evening. We were probably the last to be served, a challenge to get all of our Curry out at the same time and keep it – hot. Not every venue manages this. That the arrival of the Mains was preceded by the presentation of very hot dinner plates was certainly another plus.
The Bread
One can ask for Bread to be served – whole – at Annaya’s, that’s twice this request has been ignored. It makes such a difference to be able to break one’s own Bread. The Chilli and Coriander certainly had the Chillies but was lacking Coriander, more – Foliage! The Naan placed before me was lightly cooked and in marked contrast to that placed before Steve. He was not happy with his well-fired Naan, we swopped, simples. That I ate all but a scrap is testimony to the Quality. A decent Naan.
The Peshwari Naan, again served in bits, was topped with mixed Fruit and Nuts. Kirsty liked this. Those who like Sweet Naans, like Sweet Naans, not for the Hector.
I was on the far side of the table taking photos when Zak, came from the kitchen with the Vegetable Paratha. He stopped to let me take the photo. I congratulated him on the Quality of the Parathas served at Annaya’s. I had a Keema Paratha here on a previous visit which was quite simply magnificent, none of this pink meat nonsense that too many venues dish out.
The Chapatti impressed Ross even though he had not ordered it.
Bowls of Rice were distributed across the table, apparently the Basmati Dham (Steam) Pilau (£2.95). This is as close as I got to the Rice, Marg and I stuck to our respective Breads.
With everything that was ordered, on the table, and photographed, well everything but my own Curry, Rocky played his master-stroke. A small pot of liquid Chillies was brought for those who wished to spice up their meal. Why more venues do not do this still puzzles. At a stroke it prevents the usual – it could have been spicier. Accompanying the Chilli was a Side of Daal, presumably the – Truckstop Dall – from the Special’s board.
Truckstop Dall
I can never see the day when I will order a Daal as a Main Course, however, as a Side, it is always welcome. This was a seriously Spicy Daal. With an appropriate share taken, the Hector Curry was then photographed.
Desi Lamb
Eight large pieces of Meat, plus a tiddler, sat in a blended Masala. I had hoped for Lamb on-the-bone but that was not to be. The full Flavour of the Lamb itself came across strongly. The majority of the Meat was suitably Tender, with a couple of bits on the Soft side. Despite the Seasoning being below that which I hope for, the overall Flavour was pleasing, but in no way outstanding.
The extra Chillies added an edge to the Spice Level, the Daal may well have done so also. The Daal ended up being mixed in to the Masala which thickened it quite considerably. This combination pushed the Desi Lamb towards the Hector idyll.
As is written, the Chilli and Coriander Naan proved to be the perfect accompaniment. The overall quantity was manageable, what didn’t look like a particularly large portion at the start, proved to be more than an elegant sufficiency.
As with a Handi, when one orders – Desi – it can be anything the Chef wishes to serve. I did miss my Methi Gosht.
Punjabi Muchli
There was visibly more – Meat – albeit Fish, in this Curry. The ratio of Fish to Masala was therefore favourable. The slice of Lemon was a worthy Topping, the Coriander no more than a token Garnish. The appearance was certainly more favourable than the Salmon Curry which Marg ordered here last year. The Punjabi Muchli had a much more viscous Masala. Hector could order this with Methi to temper the Sweetness.
It was a pleasant change to have Fish – said Marg – a sweet taste to the sauce.
I wondered why Marg had left a mass at the edge of the metal dish. Capsicum, not wanted.
Gosht Makhanwala
This was the epitome of everything Hector avoids in a Curry: a Soupy Masala, topped with Cream, this was as Mainstream as one could order. That many people opt for this style of – Curry – explains why it appears on every menu. Ross:
I tend to go for a creamy Curry. The sauce was fine, the Lamb had a bit of gristle.
I liked all of the meat in the Mix Platter, above average, the boy did a good job.
Railway Boti
The blended Masala was similar in appearance to that which accompanied the Punjabi Muchli, again, an element of creaminess was present.
Eleanor orders from Annaya’s often and so benefits from their – Loyalty Scheme:
Very tasty, I finished everything. This is my favourite Curry House to order from in Helensburgh.
Lamb Chilli Tawa
Thankfully, we are back in the land of what Hector recognises as – Curry. With the Oil collecting on the edge of the dish, the Masala looked suitably – Rich. However, I couldn’t help notice that Steve had left a significant quantity of his Curry piled up on the side. One can probably guess why:
The meat was overcooked maybe, the sauce was average, too many yellow, green and red Capsicum which was not expected. Not bursting with flavour.
So, appearances can be deceptive then. This was not a Curry that Steve or Hector would order.
Chicken (Thigh) Special Karahi
That the Red and Green Capsicum protruded through the Masala would have made Hector send this back, as I did here last year. Ironically, Kirsty ordered this because she actually likes the – Dreaded Ballast. There has to be the exception to prove the rule, whatever that means. And it was Chicken, I’ll say no more.
Maybe Kirsty was just winding me up:
It was better that I had the Chicken Thigh, that was very flavoursome. I was disappointed (!?) that I didn’t have as many Capsicum, they were in the menu. I would have it again.
Lamb Rogan Josh
The return of the Syboes. Behold the Red Masala and a classic Mainstream Curry.
Louise reports:
The flavour of the sauce was really good. I have had better from them.
(The Mix Platter was very good.)
Multani Lamb
I was at the far end taking photos and so clearly heard – Multani Shorva – being announced as it was placed on the table. This was a case of – spot the Meat. I know if I had ordered this, I would have been disappointed in terms of its appearance. Thankfully Rocky had warned me off by presenting the – Soupçon, but not Howard and Tracey.
I managed to extract a few words from Howard:
Excellent Curry, flavoursome. Wasn’t expecting Shorva though.
Eleanor was proud at having cleared her plate, as I also managed to do. Marg and Steve had the abandoned – Ballast. Elsewhere, the Mix Platter had taken its toll, Takeaways were being organised. One Rice had remained untouched. Rocky also brought what was left of the Truckstop Dall, plus another container that no-one could identify. It went home too.
It was after 22.00, late night diners were starting to arrive, even Harvey Keitel would have been impressed by the way the staff had managed to clear up after the main body of diners had departed.
Rocky brought the Dessert Menu, Marg was dissuaded. Also, she could have Coffee across the road.
The Bill
£228.45 £48.90 was for Drinks, disgraceful.
The Aftermath
Not a perfect night by any means: Bread served in bits and Capsicum where it was not wanted. However, in a company of nine, the chances are someone will be disappointed, tonight, that was Steve. Steve’s photo also does not appear in this Blog, it is unflattering. We made our farewells, our appreciation was expressed. I am assured by the locals that Annaya’s remains the best Curry House in Helensburgh, and that the Dining Room @ No 10 (Dumbarton) has gone.