With Jonathan and Steve back in Blighty, Hector Naypals had a day of reflection. There was a late afternoon trip to Oranienburg, a city in the north of Berlin’s hinterland and the site of Sachsenhausen Gedenkstätte, one of the first concentration camps. Such was the traffic congestion thereafter, it would have been quicker walking back to MIRA Indisches Restaurant (Bötzower Platz 15, Oranienburg, Brandenburg, Deutschland), Oranienburg’s only Curry House.
Arriving at 16.45, there was a group of ladies dining in the main room. I was invited to sit in the side room where a couple had just ordered. As a result, there is no proper photo coverage of what was a well laid out and interesting venue.
This meal would be breakfast, lunch and dinner. Having had Lamb in the past two days, it was time to try a Fish Curry. Fisch Jahlferezi (€10.50) was listed as – sehr scharf – quite a claim for a Mainland Europe Curry House. Rotbarschfilet was translated as Coal Fish which in turn I find translated as Saithe in Scots. Tomatensoße was somehow lost, wot, no Tomatoes in English? As always, I would ask for the Paprika to be withheld.
The waitress pointed out that the Curry would be – Scharf. Rice would be inclusive as would Salad, no Capsicum would appear. Hector had high hopes. I asked for a large bottle of Sparkling Water, a 0.4l glass (€3.20) arrived.
Two Poppadoms were presented, one well fired the other not. The standard three Euro Dips accompanied. The Mint was checked then left, the Tamarind and Raita would suffice. Having had nothing to eat prior to this, I had considered ordering a Starter. When the Salad came I was glad I hadn’t.
As has been a feature of this week in Berlin, the Salad was very – German. The red strips were pickled Capsicum, quite tasty actually. I thought it better to leave them to avoid any unwelcome after-taste. Cabbage in a dressing, Sweetcorn, Carrot, Tomato and Cucumber were also present, quite a spectacular array.
The Curry arrived before I had finished the nibbles, one Poppadom was abandoned. The Rice was twice as much as a Hector could eat, two full platefuls. 
I couldn’t help but think of those who had starved to death in this city some eighty years back. A waste of Rice.
The karahi was placed on a heater, what a mountain of Curry, or was it? The aroma was powerful, oh no. I wasn’t going to enjoy this. On Monday at Dezi Indishes Restaurant Berlin, the Red Chilli Sauce which smothered Jonathan’s Namaste Mixed Tikka was not well received. Having purchased bottles of differing brands over the years, they have all ended up in the bin. One word describes this style of sauce – horrible! So what was this Sauce doing here? I cannot use the term – Masala – because I do not believe that this Red Sauce qualifies. IMHO, this Jalfrezi wasn’t – Curry.
Was this how it came out of the jar, or was the nasty Red Food Dye added? The sauce had no depth of Flavour, maybe just Chilli and Red Food Dye. It was as Spicy as promised, not a problem, however, eating this would be monotonous. White specks were mixed through the Sauce, Garlic probably, no Flavour from this was registered.
The solids were aplenty. The Cauliflower retained the firmness I like. Any Flavour from the Ginger Strips was masked by the Sickly Chilli Sauce. When I tackled the Fish I was surprised at the strength of Flavour emanating from it. In a proper Masala, this Fish would have greatly enhanced the Overall Flavour, but not today. The palate was simply swamped by the Red Chilli Sauce. To make matters worse, the Fish was rubbery.
I had to do something. I mixed the remaining Tamarind into the Sauce, a slight improvement. Then I added the Raita, thinking even a Creamy Curry would have been more acceptable. Finally, the last resort, I mixed some of the Cabbage through the Sauce in the hope that the Dressing would create the – Achari effect. It didn’t.
I was glad when I had eaten enough to stop.
I got up to find someone to pay and was offered Mango Liqueur.
The Bill
€13.70 (£11.54) A lot of food for one’s money.
The Aftermath
I gave the Calling Card to the waitress. All the staff I had seen were European, were there any Asians in the house? I was hoping to talk to the person who had created this – Curry. Not to be.
On the train back to Berlin I noted that the after-taste was grim, worse than the – Capsicum effect. My final note was made – This ‘Curry’ was awful.
