Once again, Hector meandered through the back streets of Gent to find Punjab Tandoori (Sleepstraat 67, 9000 Gent, Belgium) closed today. So, no Lamb Karahi for Hector. The same paper sign was on the door, why can businesses not be more informative? Are they on holiday, or could they just not be bothered opening?
Today there was a fallback, Horn OK Please (Sint-Jacobsnieuwstraat 45, 9000 Gent, Belgium) was reckoned on other media to be a South Indian Curry House. A Fish Chettinad would be a perfect start to the day.
Arriving @12.20, the place was empty, save Mani, Mein Host, sitting at his laptop beside a shelf with Tiffin Tins. This was very much a Curry Cafe, the type of venue Hector is happiest to visit.
The sign on the pavement listed some snack – street food dishes, The board showed fewer, the Menu was minimal. Was that it? No way was Hector having Butter Chicken (€12.95), none of the three Curry Dishes attracted. No Hector Curry, no Fish Chettinad, what was the Hector to do?
Is this it? – I had to ask, just in case there was more on offer.
Samosa Chat (€7.50) was ordered with a 500ml bottle of Sparkling Water (€2.50). Having taken photos of the interior, it was time to introduce myself and Curry-Heute, Mani was quick to access Europe’s most comprehensive and reliable Curry Blog. He commented upon the detail, indeed, everything is recorded as it happens.
Samosa Chat
A cardboard bowl and a plastic fork, not the Hector idyll, but in keeping with the style of food on offer. A Vegetable Samosa had been cut up and smothered with Yoghurt, Fresh Coriander and Indian Vermicelli. The Samosa was warm thankfully, the Toppings were cold. The Spice built as I ate this – snack – it was very tasty, Marg would have loved this variation. I needed more food.
Mani asked if I wished to order a Main Course. On a huge departure from the norm, a Masala Dosa (€8.95) became Hector’s choice. I could see Chef through the hatch working away, a Takeaway Order was assembled in the same cardboard bowls, with plastic lids. The bowls did feel – green, pity about the lids then. Mani did explain the lack of proper crockery and utensils, something to do with a festival they had recently catered for. A motor cyclist took the Order away. Who orders Curry at lunchtime and asks for it to be delivered?
There is a plan to add a Fish Curry to the range of Dishes, however Mani mentioned Fish with Mango. When is the next train to München?
Masala Dosa
Two Dosa sat on the plate with Potato and a Coconut Chutney. Dosa: crispy rice and lentil crepe. Dosa nearly featured earlier this year in Malta, alas not to be. It was long overdue. The Potato had Onion Seeds, Coriander Leaves and Lentils to make it more – Interesting, and no doubt add more Flavour. The Coconut Chutney proved not to be intrusive.
Sambar
A Lentil Shorva accompanied, complete with Carrots, Courgette and what I thought were Green Beans. The latter were not edible. The Sambar was well Seasoned, this was a huge plus.
The Potato etc. was scooped up with the Bread, and sometimes Coconut. This proved to be a very tasty combination and nothing like what I normally eat in a Curry House. The Soup was hot, the Carrots were the largest of the solids, always a welcome inclusion, I was loving every minute of this.
Mani brought a soupçon of Mango Lassi, I kept this to the very end. Aniseed must have been part of the Topping, this was very effective. I shall be trying this at home, soonest.
The Bill
€18.95 (£16.92) More than I would normally pay for a Meat based Dish.
The Aftermath
Mani and I had been chatting quite a bit throughout the meal. He told me the origins of the name – Horn OK Please. Having seen the roads in India, I know how the trucks dominate the scene. To overtake a truck one has to – toot. When it is safe to do so, the truck driver illuminates a sign to say it’s – OK. So it goes. I shall never forget seeing people cross six lane highways, one has to keep going, if one falters then chaos, or worse.
