Three nights in Crawley, Marg and Hector are guests of Lord Clive & Lady Maggie. This was meant to the week of the Great British Beer Festival, alas, like everything else this year, cancelled. Before heading to Howling Hops, there had to be Curry-Heute. Whitechapel has proved to be a good grazing ground in Hector’s sporadic visits to the Capital. Google Maps lead us from Clapham Junction to Shadwell, still part of Tower Hamlets, as is Whitechapel. Where is London?
I spotted Lahore One London (218 Commercial Rd., Shadwell, London E1 2JT, England) last year when I had a Whitechapel Curry at the impressive Lahore Kebab House. Lahore One looked like Hector’s sort of venue, the classic Curry Cafe. Sources showed photos of a Karahi Gosht which was worthy of investigation.
The ladies left us at the door to Lahore One and headed west towards a coffee house. Only one diner was inside when we arrived. A lady was front of house, a chap behind the counter with another spotted occasionally in the kitchen. The Menu was brought to us:
I’ve read great things about your Curry – I announced to the lady who perhaps was nonplussed.
Karahai Gosht (£11.00) is why Hector was here. Clive opted for the Chicken version – Karahai Chicken (£9.50).
On reading the Bread options to Clive he expressed an interest in the Keema Naan (£5.00), however the price was judged to be excessive, or the Bread was possibly a meal in itself. Chilli Naan (£2.00) appeared to be the best option.
A Modest Salad and a Raita were brought to the table, the tap water was well received, it was hot out there. The Salad remained untouched, Clive sampled the Raita. Lime Pickle – was Clive’s take on the flavour.
*
Plates preceded the arrival of the food. We were warned about the hot karahi. The Chilli Naans were also topped with Coriander, Hector’s idyll. Although scored across their diameter, the Naans remained whole. Round, light, puffy, the Naans were excellent. If only Hector could master this.
Karahai Gosht
Behold the Soup!
The excessive, blended Masala bore no resemblance to anything I have seen posted elsewhere for Lahore One. A Tomato swam in the Soupy Masala which was topped with Coriander. The Meat content impressed, well into double figures, so good value. The Oil content was minimal with no sign of separation.
The flavour was quite distinctive, Euro-Curry flashed through my mind. There was a Big Spice Kick from the Masala enhanced by the sliced Green Chillies in the Naan. The overall Spice Level was therefore quite demanding, some may have struggled. The Texture of the Meat ranged from Tender through Chewy. There was a sense of the Meat having taken flavour from the sauce rather than being the source. More Seasoning may have extracted a greater depth of flavour.
I have to challenge Chef – in what way was this a Karahi?
Despite being closer to a Mainstream Curry, this was still damn good. As I have written oft, it was still – Curry. The lady passed having served the latest arrival.
Good?
Oh yes!
This raised a smile.
Chicken Karahai
Spot the difference!
Topped with Coriander and Ginger Strips, the Masala had the appearance of an authentic – Karahi. The Oil was beginning to collect around the periphery of the karahi, this looked the part, and was what I had expected to be served.
Clive wiped his karahi clean, nothing was left:
Pick your own exceptional adjectives and string them together.
That’s one way of making a comment.
The Bill
£24.50 A lot of Curry to the £.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was given to the lady. She thanked me and went to get her glasses. Unfortunately, the telephone had to be answered so the introduction to Curry-Heute was brief.
So, was Hector given the correct Curry?
Time to find the ladies and take the tube then a bus to Hackney.
