As was their want, Craig and Yvonne left – The Company – early. Moments later, Hector received a text:
delhi2go asking if you are coming tonight.
I may have been in two minds about Curry #2 today, however, if Mian – Mein Host – was asking, it was a sign.
Howard reached delhi2go (119 Oldham St., Manchester M4 1LN England) first and put in an order for Lamb Chops. Hector was considering something with Fish/Vegetables, but Lamb Chops. The greetings out of the way, it was down to the formalities: Lamb Chops Karahi with a Chilli and Coriander Naan. Clive was happy to have a pair of Samosas – one of each.
Mian was busy at the counter serving mostly Takeaway customers. We witnessed something horrendous this evening. One customer, out his head on substances we concluded, was barking his order, obnoxious would be an understatement. Vicious – may be more appropriate. In the end he left with nothing.
Amer, the – animated chap – was in the kitchen this evening, Tuesday is Chef Shahid’s day off. I had expected to see Mohamed, the proprietor, tonight, not to be.
Howard had his Lamb Chops, he went to his new domain adjacent to the Beer Festival, the logic of staying there escapes me. Clive and Hector waited, and waited. Mian called over and asked Clive if he liked Bhaji. This was confirmed, Clive would have Bhaji too, an apology for the tardiness of our Order. Meanwhile the new posters on display were recorded, delhi2go are proud of their new – Gourmet Burgers.
Meat Samosa, Vegetable Samosa, Bhaji
The Samosas were a good size, not the tiddlers encountered in so many venues. The Bhajis were substantial also, well fired.
These Bhajis are something special – remarked Clive who was clearly appreciating the addition to his order.
Lamb Chops Karahi
Four of the largest Lamb Chops I have ever seen were shrouded in the rich, thick delhi2go Masala. There was a lot of eating here. Fingers would be necessary, this was going to get messy, the yellow polo-shirt had to be protected. Marg will thank me later.
The Naan had a decent girth. Burnt blisters were on the verge of forming. The Chillies and Coriander had been well cooked in. Served whole, I had the pleasure of breaking the Bread. Then I found something completely unexpected – Cheese! A layer of Cheese had been spread inside.
I know you like Seasoning – explained Mian who was on his knees beside us. He reckoned the melted Cheese would guarantee this.
The Lamb Chops Karahi could have been created in minutes simply by grilling the Chops then adding the Masala. Mian had taken the time to have the Curry prepared properly. The Chops had been momentarily placed on the griddle to start them off, let some fat out, then had been slowly cooked in the Masala. Great care had been taken in the preparation of my meal. I suspect the chaps at delhi2go enjoy preparing – something special.
The Chops were a delight, their sheer size was not by chance. Mian had gone through the bucket to find the largest ones he could. The Masala had the distinctive Spicy Flavours which are a feature of their – Apna-style Curry. If the Seasoning here was down a tad, this was sorted by the Cheese in the Naan. Hector’s first ever Cheese Naan. Prior to this I simply didn’t get it. A meal in its own right, and far more than I would manage, Clive took care of the surplus.
Late night Curry at delhi2go, a Manchester ritual, but sadly I doubt if I will make it back here on this trip. One night in April could well be the next time.
The Bill
Clive’s grand snack was on the house, he had waited patiently, our server had recognised this. For Hector, £10.00 once again.
The Aftermath
Clive and Hector stood chatting with Mian for a good twenty minutes during which permission was granted to use – the Facilities – downstairs. Customers are encouraged to use Gullivers next door, they were closed by this time.
The delivery chap had been in and out throughout our visit. I remarked on those who order food to be brought to their homes, again I don’t get it. If people really cared about what they were about to eat, surely they should at least go out to get it? It is a major part of delhi2go’s business, but impersonal. They call themselves – delhi2go – a bit of a clue then.
Mian, who reads these pages, knows what I want to eat, and just as importantly, what I do not want. He reiterated the desire to create a worthy – Hector Curry. A couple of years back it was touch and go. With Chef Shahid on board there should always be good Curry served here for those who appreciate what that is.
Mian told us more of his life story, not for these pages. That this remarkable chap finds himself at delhi2go should be celebrated.
And so back to t’Travelodge across the Irwell to Salford. Ancoats had priced itself out of consideration at the time of booking, another reason to sit in and not do Takeaway.