Katowice – Icy & Spicy – An Apt Description

The story of getting to Katowice is told elsewhere. Hector is in Polska for two reasons, the AGM of – Bieres Sans Frontieres – in Krakow next weekend, and the Pendragon gig in Lódz tomorrow night. Yesterday the Polish government banned all gatherings and closed the schools due to COVID-19, Pendragon have left Polska already. As Italia is now basically in lock-down with nearly everything closed, one wonders what will happen here over the next twelve days. Hector could be in Polska for a lot longer than planned, or – even less.

Having checked in to the still amazing Hotel Katowice, it was out for food before meeting up with Robert at Browariat. Icy & Spicy Restauracja Indyjska (ul. Jana III Sobieskiego 10, Katowice, Polska) is one of the ever expanding number of Curry outlets in Katowice. On my first visit here to see Pendragon back in 2014, there were only two.  Icy & Spicy  advertise themselves as serving both Indian and Pakistani Cuisine. The latter had Hector hooked.

Two chaps were pondering over the Menu as I took refuge from the rain which I am convinced is following me around. Icy & Spicy appears to be a converted corner bar and seats around thirty. The Menu was brought, quite extensive, and there was advice that each Dish could take twenty minutes to prepare. I liked the choice of portion size by weight, something I wish UK Curry Houses would adopt.

Lamb Dopiaza (32zl) surprisingly stood out as having no mention of – Paprika – whilst many choices did. I checked with the waitress who was clearly knowledgeable about the Menu. On showing her a photo of Capsicum she assumed this is what I did want. On establishing the opposite, she admitted that most of their Dishes contained the dreaded green mush. I was shown to the Hyderabadi Biryani (42zl) which may well have been the most expensive Dish on the Menu. Biryani is a good way of avoiding – Soup, however, given the likelihood of no Masala I added an Aloo Gobi (24zl).

On asking for Sparkling Water (330ml, 4zl), I was offered it at room temperature or from the fridge, I chose the cold. Hector’s first beverage in Polska therefore was not Pivo.

Moments before serving, I was asked if I would like a Spicy Sauce along with my Order. Having heard the chaps over my shoulder remark on it, the answer was in the affirmative. The Biryani and Spicy Sauce arrived, the Aloo Gobi followed some minutes later.

Lamb Biryani

Quite a plateful, but despite the Onion and hint of Coriander on top, it was basically Lamb in a Spicy Rice. A Vegetable Biryani can offer so much more diversity. The Rice had sufficient moisture, the Lamb was appreciably drier. On spooning on some of the Spicy Sauce, it was a case of – wtf?

Spicy Sauce

The Spicy Sauce had been served – cold, the – Icy?

One reads about people taking on – Chilli challenges – and wonder why, and just how Spicy are we talking? If this was representative, then Hector is not taking part. This was fierce, to be treated with respect. It did annihilate the taste-buds monetarily, they somehow recovered. The tubes were being well cleared, Koronawirus shunned.

Aloo Gobi

400g – claimed the Menu, yet this portion was appreciably smaller than the Biryani which was advertised as being 300g. I could see pieces of Potato but no Cauliflower. On decanting then starting, I concluded the Masala was mostly pulped Cauliflower. This Dish was appreciably hotter in temperature than the Biryani, how Hector likes his food to be served. There was a pleasant Flavour from the Masala, adding this to the Biryani is just what was needed. Hector now had something resembling – Curry!

I picked Green Cardamom and quite a few pieces of Cinnamon Bark from the Rice and a single Clove. I then found larger pieces of Cauliflower and so reconsidered the Masala in the Aloo Gobi. Creamy, yes, I was not getting the claimed Fenugreek, Ginger or Cumin from the Masala.  The large pieces of Lamb gave off no more Flavour than from the Meat itself, still very dry.

Hector was congratulating himself on this combination. The Aloo Gobi was an ideal complement to the Biryani, the overall quantity did not overwhelm. Satisfaction had been achieved.

The Bill

67zl (£13.56 ) I was only charged 39zl for the Biryani, the Spicy Sauce was inclusive.

The Aftermath

I gave the Calling Card to the waitress who had been charming throughout my visit. She assured me that her boss would be delighted to receive it. And so back out into the rain and the satisfaction of Hector’s other desire.