Hector and Marg have moved on to Polska. Steven Wilson was due to perform in Warszawa, the tour was cancelled, but with Koronawirus figures here appreciably lower than in the UK, we decided to come anyway and revisit some favourite places. Last night was another memorable experience in Poznan, courtesy of Szymon, Mein Host at the magnificent Craft Beer House – Piwna Stopa. That story may be told elsewhere, eventually.
Poznan’s longest established Curry Houses have already featured in Curry-Heute. What has been served in this city is typically above the Euro average, and certainly better than what passes for Curry in some Berlin establishments. I was surprised to find so many new venues on Google Maps, have the Poles become obsessed with Curry? It is going to take many more visits to Poznan to review these, ah well, I’ll be back. Today we walked around Poznan visiting every venue not already covered in Curry-Heute, that deserves a post in its own right. The choice for today’s Curry was Taj Mahal Restauracja Indyjska (Wielka 22, 61-775 Poznan, Polska) located a block or so east of Stary Rynek, the main square in the Old Town. A chap was sitting at the table outside, it felt a bit strange when we took the small table at the window and could watch him dipping his Bread into his Daal.
The waitress brought the menus, one was the rotating lunch deal, the other the a la carte. The Fish Curry (28Zl) tempted, however, the photo of the Lamb Kadai (30Zl) suggested a more complex Dish.
I showed a photo of Capsicum to the waitress, Hector carries one everywhere – I don’t want to see any of these. Rice was not inclusive a la Deutschland, Jeera Rice (8Zl) would accompany. Marg took the Pakora option – Chicken Pakoda – (16Zl), had she read the translation she may well have changed her mind!
I think something has to be fixed here, unless it is – snake – they are serving. By the end we would order three 0.5l bottles of Sparkling Water (6Zl), it’s warm here in Poznan, 25ºC today.
With my back to the room, I had to carefully time the photography. Mein Host was doing paperwork at the far end of the long, narrow room. The main table was set for eight. Eight people out dining together, last night I saw fourteen, things are different here. Serving staff are all wearing masks, however, there is no Track & Trace. Koronavirus numbers in Polska are manageable, the country went into Lockdown a week before the UK, I know, I was here!
Chicken Pakoda
Eleven pieces of Chicken in batter were accompanied by a Mint Sauce. A decent portion then for three quid. Marg reported the Spice as missing, bland and dry was her take:
It was fine, you forget that chicken is quite dry, bland. The sauce was good, minty and refreshing.
I still find Vegetable Pakora and Fish Pakora to be more satisfying, Chicken Pakora I don’t get.
*
The Jeera Rice was a classic Euro portion, way more than one person could handle. The Cumin Seeds were black, I deduce they had been dry roasted, the Flavour from the Rice therefore was quite pronounced. Marg helped herself to the surplus Rice, and also liberated some of the surplus Masala.
Lamb Kadai
I have had to remind myself, and others who commented on another medium, that I had ordered – Curry – not – Karahi. This is what a decent Curry looks like, Meat in a viscous, blended Masala. I counted seven pieces of Lamb, not a big portion then, but then realised that six pieces were quite large, so substantial after all.
It was the Cumin Seeds which registered first, without these this Curry would have been quite different. I tasted the Masala left on the karahi, a slight tang felt pleasant on the palate. I bit into a Black Cardamom, never a good idea. The Spice Level was moderate, the Seasoning was at an – OK – level.
It was the Lamb which made this Curry a winner. Tender, but still requiring a bit of chewing, it definitely was adding to the Curry. This Meat gave off so much Flavour, it felt as though it had not just met the Masala moments before serving. The Cumin Seeds became a dominant Flavour, perhaps Chef had overdone them? Still, Hector had ordered Jeera Rice because he enjoys Cumin.
Far from being outstanding, this was still a damn, decent Curry. I would have no hesitation in returning to Taj Mahal, however, with so many more venues in Poznan to explore, it may take a while.
The Bill
69Zl (£13.80) Somehow, it’s still 5Zl to £1.00.
The Aftermath
I gave the Calling Card to the waitress then enquired about the history of Taj Mahal.
How long have you been here?
Three days – was the reply.
The Calling Card was taken to the far end of the room, Mein host presented himself and thanked us for coming. Taj Mahal has been in business for two and a half years.
And so our walk around Poznan continued…so many Curry Houses, and two phantom ones.
… and you may have noticed, the adverts have gone.
Menu extracts
