The Indian Cottage (10-12, Kilsyth Rd, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow G66 1QD) was established in 1987, that may well have been the last time Hector paid a visit. Sleepovers in Lenzie are well and truly a thing of the past. Today, The Company were assembling in the Kirkie Puffer at 14.00. When Marg offered Hector a lift and lunch was mentioned, there was the opperchancity to return to the Curry House which, from Hector’s perspective, is in the back end of Kirkintilloch.
Arriving at 12.30, the restaurant’s car park was only noticed after we had taken advantage of the larger car park across the way. Open all day, seven days a week, there is a pre-theatre menu, lots of offers, though the lunchtime – two for one – did confuse with the additional – every third person dines for £7.95. The advice appears to be – don’t come alone!
A converted kirk, The Indian Cottage is a large, spacious venue. There is even a mezzanine, taking advantage of the space under the vaulted ceiling.
Six other couples were in situ as we were shown to our table. Everyone was well segregated, all staff wore masks (properly), contact details were taken on entry. Where I have made no comment on this in recent posts, draw your own conclusion. Some venues appear to understand what is required as here, others – do not, or don’t care.
The Lunchtime Menu has two versions, £14.50 and £15.50, the latter has the Tikka, not for Hector and also the Karahi. On a return visit I’ll challenge them as to exactly what – ballast – may be in the Karahi. With Lamb at no extra cost, the Lamb Bhoona looked like the logical Hector choice, the £14.50 menu would therefore suffice. Marg was not ready for three courses, I promised to help her out with the Vegetable Pakora whilst I would sample the Chicken Chaat. Chicken Patia was Marg’s choice of Main Course. With this, Marg considered Rice as being the logical accompaniment but in the end stuck with her usual Chapatti, today two were part of the deal. The Nan Bread had to be sampled.
The waitress had taken the order for a large bottle of Sparkling Water (£3.95), it was the chap who took the food order. He assured me that no Capsicum was in the Bhoona.
One couple left, two more arrived during our stay, a popular venue, and this the Thursday after the end of Eat Out to Help Out.
The Starters arrived in good time, and immediately impressed. Five large pieces of Pakora, one came my way. Irregularly shaped, these looked and tasted fresh. Good Pakora. The Chicken Chaat had three – well-fired – large drumsticks, chunky. I suppose one has to accept the artificial – red – or does one? Maybe this is what the majority expect. The usual Tandoori Spice Mix had been used, they tasted as good as any example of the genre. Plenty of Meat, finger food, I was amused as a fellow diner attempted to use the utensils to eat theirs. Come on, get stuck in, and don’t go to Nando’s if that is how one thinks Chicken should be eaten.
The waitress cleared the table, our pleasure was expressed. The wait for the Mains had a decent gap.
The Naan! Behold the Naan! I have not seen such an impressive Tandoori Naan in yonks, and it was huge, but not silly huge, and of course served whole as all should be. The pan-handle is usually my favourite piece, today this tip had been overdone. The rest of the Bread was delightfully fluffy and doughy … and look at the blisters. This put Hector’s attempts two nights ago in perspective.
The Chapattis appeared to have been made from my preferred white Chapatti flour, not wholemeal. A good size, one proved to be enough for Marg. Note for next time, order Rice and share the Naan.
*
Lamb Bhoona
The small karahi, I had wondered if we were having – lunchtime portions – to match the menu. Five pieces of Lamb were present, two were large, not too bad a quantity. The Masala was not excessive, and had a decent viscosity, so not – Soup. This was a standard – Mainstream Curry.
Pieces of the absolutely delightful Naan were dipped in the Masala long before I tackled the Meat. The Masala was well seasoned and had a modest kick. I could have spent an extra 50p and had the Spice Level raised, next time. That’s thrice I have written – next time, four times. It looks as though I’ll be coming back, if I can find a friend.
The Meat was super-soft, far from being pulp, and felt as if it was actually part of the Curry, which too often is not the case. If the a la carte menu has this in a larger portion, even better. A Vegetable Side today would also have been a welcomed addition. Three courses, Hector, what more do you want? A plan is hatching, come alone, order two meals, one Meat, one Vegetable, enjoy the Rice and the Naan.
Ssshhh. OK, I’m a great, big, greedy, old Hector.
Mainstream Curry, this had a distinctive flavour, and one I instantly liked which has not always been the case in recent weeks. The burnt blisters added another edge, this Naan was excellent, the Curry pretty decent.
Chicken Patia
Ah well, Marg likes this style of Curry, even Hector’s Chicken Patia recipe does occasionally make an appearance when a change is required. More – red – way too much – red. And too much Sauce even for Marg, who did her best with the Chapatti. Rice would have been the better option to soak up the surplus Soupy Masala.
I watched Marg decant the Chicken to her plate, very large pieces, three slices would be created from each. This Curry had significantly more Meat than the Bhoona.
Sweet and tomatoey – remarked Marg – plenty of chicken, I only managed one Chapatti. A change for me.
Good, so I will not have to cook this at home anytime soon.
The waitress cleared the table once more.
That was some Naan – I had to give the compliment.
He tries to make his own – added Marg. Tries?
They don’t come out like that – I added for the World to hear.
Normally, this would be the end. The chap sitting nearest me had just received Ice Cream covered in a raspberry sauce. Hector was having this, Marg would take the extra 95p option and order a White Coffee.
Ice Cream & Raspberry, what’s not to like? The Coffee was suitably – hot.
The Bill
£19.40 For two diners, great value. Bring a friend, if you have one.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was given to the chap who had served us, Mein Host. He mentioned a further discount for the a la carte menu as I took some photographs. Hector is unlikely ever to be here of an evening, after the Kirkie Puffer it is definitely time to go home.
Lunchtime Menu
Menu extracts
