Two Curry Houses, metres apart, similar names, they must be connected. Hector Holmes was once again on the case. After last night’s truly magnificent meal at Pak Taka Tak, today it was the turn of Pak Tikka Shop – Grill House (Sapfous 5, Athina 105 53). I did stick my nose in here back in 2017 when I first spotted this venue and managed to secure some photos of the prepared Curry. Expectations were therefore high.
Marg took a seat at the long table nearest the counter, I went up to investigate. A chap came over to talk me through the Dishes on display. I had already spotted the Boiled Eggs sat in a Masala but could see no Meatballs.
Kofta Anda? – I asked, rhetorically.
This was confirmed, how could Hector refuse this favourite?
Karela – the chap continued – You know Karela?
It was my turn to make an affirmative statement.
Beef Curry – he told me was the third Dish on offer.
I love Kofta Anda – well I do, and I had to tell him.
One portion please with Bread.
Marg was intent on having nothing but succumbed to her usual nibble of choice whilst Curry spectating. A Samosa was ordered, with the emphasis on – one.
A Salad with Raita on the same plate was presented, not as elaborate as round the corner at Pak Taka Tak, but enough to make the Samosa a lunch. A large bottle of chilled Still Water was provided as a matter of course.
Lovely, flaky, tasty – was Marg’s report on the Samosa.
I concluded it was a Vegetable Samosa.
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Kofta Anda
Inevitably – is that all? – was my first reflection on seeing only two Kofta and one Boiled Egg being served. It was a little over twelve hours since last night’s feast, this would do for a lunch.
The Bread
Served whole, this was closer to a Naan than had been served at Pak Taka Tak, yet still retained some of the properties of proper Middle Eastern Pitta. This Bread was delightfully soft, it was well received and every morsel was eaten.
The first dip of the Bread into the Masala took me aback – cough. This was a powerful Tomato-based Masala, there was a lot of it, so the Bread would be put to good use. The Seasoning matched the Spice Level, this was an old fashioned tasting Masala. A Bay Leaf and Black Cardamom were revealed, the taste of Cloves hit the palate, very pleasant.
I basically smashed the Egg into bits to eke it out. Egg in Curry, it works so well. The Kofta were broken up also, I had something resembling a wet Keema. The Meatballs lacked Seasoning, the only negative in this meal once I came to terms that next time I would order two portions.
The chap was over to check all was well and enquire if we required anything else.
All was indeed well, I love Kofta Anda and this was a fine example of the genre.
As I finished, Marg spotted a table of – Greeks – at the doorway. They had wine on the table. So they operate – BYOB – here we concluded.
The Bill
€6.00 (£5.22) Not as ridiculously cheap as Pak Taka Tak, but who can complain about these prices?
The Aftermath
On showing the photos from last time, I asked our Waiter if this venue was related to Pak Taka Tak. Same owner – he confirmed, so that’s three houses within metres of each other. Is someone playing Monopoly?
He went on to tell me that there is a difference in the two houses:
Here is less spicy, the other one is spicy.
As we departed, so one of the – Greeks – was at the door maintaining the clean air in the restaurant. Meet Paul from Derbyshire who has been over here for some thirty years.
You didn’t come all this way for a Curry? – he asked when I gave him a Calling Card..
Well Bier and Curry. We eat Greek Cuisine at night.
Curry-Heute was introduced. Paul remarked that we were the only tourists he had ever seen in this part of Athens, acknowledging that some could be put off by the – ethnic buzz. The column of Curry Houses visited down the right side of this website proves that Hector and Marg have travelled.
Thereafter we headed towards the throng that is Geraniou. En route I spotted a new venue – Makkah Restaurant – the chaps clustered outside there were very obliging and got out of the way to let me take my photos.
On Geraniou itself, Surma, where I once had a Curry matching anything served in Bradford, has gone. Rajdhani has been re-branded as – Curry Garden. The fabled – Green Garden – Curry House in this locale is one I have been trying to locate for years. Another case for Hector Holmes. Metres from our accommodation back in Psiri, Indian Tandoori Masala is now Buddha. All change.
I realise that I do not have enough Curry opperchancities to cover all of these venues on this trip. I must try and get back to Taste of India. So it goes.