Today is Mags’ birthday, there had to be Curry. Instead of our usual haunts, Hector suggested New Gandhi Indian Restaurant (441 Victoria Rd, Glasgow G42 8RW), all were game. Today would be the fifth visit, the magic number which has venues promoted to both Glasgow’s Top Rated and Hector’s Recommended Curry Houses. With two visits towards the end of last year, I was confident that the Punjabi Desi Dishes would impress.
I had telephoned a couple of nights ago to verify the Saturday afternoon opening continued, a booking was made. 14.00 was the rendezvous time, Hector was early, time to study the Menu in greater detail than I have done before.
Arab Patti in the – Connoisseur Selection looked very interesting, my usual tweak permitted. The waiter thought the flavours here would be less intense than the Desi Dishes, so it was back to my original plan: Lamb Chop Masala (£11.95). I felt like a Vegetable accompaniment but could only see Main Courses, again the waiter came to my assistance.
The – Indian Tapas – section allows diners to select Main Courses as Sides; Hector would have his Aloo Gobi (£5.25). As in my recent visits, the excellent Mushroom Rice (£3.25) would accompany.
Rice with Lamb Chops? Silly Hector.
Danny Singh, Mein Host, came into the seating area and joined me. He asked about my recent travels. The high quality of Curry Houses in Lisboa was related. We agreed that finding Punjabi outlets is the key to success. He got as far as reminiscing about his days working in Belfast, alas the two venues which feature in Curry-Heute were never discussed as my fellow diners arrived.
The Menu is extensive, Starters were mooted, Hector was having a Side and so decided against. It was a Birthday Dinner, we were here – to dine. Dr. Stan and John both opted for Seekh Kebab (£4.95), whilst Howard and Mags went for Tandoori Lamb Chops (£6.50). I was able to inform them that the portion of Chops would be four. Hector was about to sit and watch people eating Lamb Chops, for a moment my Main Course selection wavered.
The waiter was very patient whilst selections were made. He suggested the drinks and Starters be noted first to get them underway, whilst the Mains were considered. I was already well through a litre bottle of Sparkling Water which had been brought on my arrival.
Howard and John both chose the obvious Punjabi Desi Gosht (£11.95). Dr. Stan and Mags were going to have the Gobi Gosht (£11.95), however, Mags asked the waiter if Potato could replace the Cauliflower. Her Gobi Gosht became her favoured Aloo Gosht. All Desi Lamb Dishes are served on-the-bone unless one asks otherwise. John decided to go – boneless. He also settled for just the three Chapattis (£1.00), Dr. Stan would have one. Howard ordered a Mince and Onion Naan (£3.25) whilst Mags followed Hector and announced Mushroom Rice. Herding cats.
Two plates of Poppadoms were presented along with two rounds of Spiced Onion, Bombay Mix and a Mint-Lime Mash. Danny’s famed Pickle was also set in the middle of the table. He asked if I had had this previously. As it happens it was served at the Grand Opening. Tasty as it was, it did not kill the palate as some Lime Pickle can.
Seekh Kebab
These looked magnificent, chunky! What a presentation with the Onion Rings, Sauces and Micro Salad. Clearly the Kebabs were made from Lamb Mince, next time, Hector.
Lamb Chops
I had these last time, as good as the best venues, great Lamb Chops.
The Lamb Chop starter was excellent, a decent portion well served – remarked Howard. Mags concurred – the Lamb Chops were lovely.
I had accepted that the Poppadoms etc would be my nibbles when the waiter came through with a platter of complimentary Fish Pakora (£5.95). Can Hector ever have too much Fish?
*
Fish Pakora
A couple of pieces came my way … hot, fresh and tasty, I believe it was Haddock in a light coloured and decidedly Spicy Batter. The Seasoning was there, excellent Fish Pakora. Mags also found the Fish to be – light and fresh. What a treat.
There was a sensible gap between the table being cleared and the arrival of hot dinner plates complete with garnish. And so the Curry, Bread and Rice were assembled.
The surprisingly thin Naan was served in quarters yet it appeared to be well stuffed. The Chapattis, also quartered, looked fairly standard. The superb Mushroom Rice may well have been a better choice than Bread.
Punjabi Desi Gosht
This was markedly different in appearance from that served at the end of November. Today’s Masala was redder and thinner. Again the presentation had to be noted, the Onion Ring was a feature of today’s Curry. Howard spoke thus:
The sauce overpowered the Lamb, and there was neither a synergy or symbiosis between the two. The Naan was on the bland side. Overall, a very decent Curry and the service was excellent.
Gobi Gosht
It was expected that the same Masala would feature in all of the Main Courses. Gobi Gosht would probably have been my choice today had I not gone for the Chops. Dr. Stan was remarkably quiet as he ate, but did start his comment on a familiar note:
Mmmm … I liked the Seekh Kebab.
The Lamb fell off the bone, beautiful sauce, rich, spicy, not too spicy, hit the spot.
Aloo Gosht
Potato instead of Cauliflower, the waiter had his work cut out tell them apart.
Mags was pleased with her Curry:
The sauce was really rich, lots of Potatoes. I liked the Mushroom Rice. A good Curry for me.
*
Punjabi Desi Gosht (Boneless)
Ah, soupy – was John’s immediate observation. Indeed, this was different again from what I have described above, a much thinner Masala.
That’s what happens when you order the wee boy’s version – was the Hector retort. John prefers Boneless so as to get more Meat. The portions at New Gandhi are substantial, the bone count is not significant.
I had a different sauce – John dictated later – because I didn’t have it on-the-bone. They shouldn’t have treated me different then he (Hector) wouldn’t have been able to gloat. Otherwise, a tasty Curry, but nothing that would attract me back. I want to compliment them on their complimentary Fish.
Dr. Stan had a dip of the Masala for comparison purposes – a bit blander – was his considered observation.
Lamb Chop Masala
Five Lamb Chops, one more than four, five is therefore better. I wondered if the Chops would have been cooked in the Masala, my preferred method, or the easier option taken of pouring sauce over Tandoori Chops. Sadly, it was the latter version. 
I found the Tomatoey Masala to be too thin, close to Shorva, and did little to complement the Chops. However, the Masala once soaked into the Mushroom Rice was quite a tasty creation.
Aloo Gobi
This arrived a few minutes after I had started my Main Course. Tapas indeed, four such portions to make a meal would be quite expensive. The Syboes added a bit of a crunch, there was a sense of Pickle coming across. The texture of both the Potato and Cauliflower was perfect.
Lamb Chops with Rice was always going to be a silly combination. Without the Aloo Gobi the meal simply would not have worked. I was keen to sample both. The Lamb Chops were a delight, and I had five.
The Bill
£106.45 Not bad for our Birthday Dinner.
The Sparkling Water had not been included, I pointed this out.
The water and the Fish are from me and Danny – was his explanation, as were the Poppadoms, Dips and Pickle. Thank you.
The Aftermath
A different experience from our usual Curry Cafes. Our appreciation was expressed as we went back out into the wild weather.