November 1st, our last full day in Athena, we believe, and the first Sunday the archaeological attractions are free to enter through to the end of March. Lockdown #2 in this city commences on Tuesday. The last day of sunshine and sandals in 2020. Hector has travelled aggressively this autumn, we all knew what was coming.
Taste of India (Platia Theatro 22, 10552, Athina) has been on the list of Hector’s Recommended Curry Houses for some years. As with the many Curry Cafes to the west of the Meat and Fish Market, the Dishes of the day are on display. Entering at 13.30, Mein Host talked me through what was available. I managed to resist a rather tired looking Aloo Gobi.
There was Lamb and Beef on offer. Having had my fair share of Lamb Dishes in the last two weeks, both Greek and Indo-Pak, the Beef Curry felt like a change. It is also a Meat I have not had here before.
Plain Basamati was also on show, I asked for Rice, Marg jumped in with two Samosas.
No Bread? – asked Mein Host, not today. How much Bread did I eat with my Tzatziki last night? … and Hector prefers Taramasalata by far.
I joined Marg at the table, Mein Host brought a 1.5l bottle of Still Water. I asked after his son, Daniyal, who has featured in these pages previously. This made the required connection.
The customary Salad was presented with two small portions of Raita. Marg was pleased to see this.
Just how much Raita has gone to waste at our hands lately?
Samosa
These were the last two in the shop as was evident by the above photo. A decent size and well stuffed, but with what? Marg remained uncertain as she ate. The finely grained material she took to be Meat, but she then went back to being unsure. Peas and Potato certainly featured.
The Samosas did not last long. With the Salad to accompany, Marg once again managed to create quite a plateful. Marg was also pleased that the Raita was not as Spiced as it has been at other venues recently.
The Curry and Rice arrived, it has been a while since I had a full on Meat Curry, i.e. not Mince.
Having decanted a plateful of Rice, I somehow felt that I was left with more Rice than I started with. The Rice could have been served warmer.
Beef Curry
A couple of Coriander leaves topped the blended Masala. Compared to my usual Karahi Gosht, this had the appearance of a Mainstream Curry. Arranging the Meat on top of the Rice, even Marg became aware of just how much of it there was. Some fifteen good-sized pieces of Beef were present. When I looked back in the pot, there was only a covering of Masala remaining. This was Minimal Masala in the extreme, that which one hopes for in every Curry House.
The first forkful of Masala and Rice took me aback. This was something truly Special. I tried the Beef, firm yet Tender. Some pieces of fat were still attached, not a problem. The Spice started to build up, the Seasoning was spot on. The Flavours, ah the Flavours. This was another outstanding Athena Curry. Desi/Apna, this Curry was created by the hands of a Chef who knows the big secret. Just what is it that is added to turn the ordinary into something this good? (I appear to be asking lots of questions today.)
I studied the Masala closely. Small flecks of red, Chillies? What was in this Masala? I was not getting the usual Cinnamon/Cumin/Methi Blast which I am used to. This was something else, but still familiar. Peppercorns I did spot, but all this Flavour could not have been from them. Once more I considered the Flavours of yesteryear, no, this had contemporary Flavours. It became a case of stop analysing and just get on with the enjoyment. Today was a reward for all the inferior Euro Curry tolerated. This Beef Curry was certainly the best ever encountered.
A Takeaway Menu sat on an adjacent table. It’s about time I saw the Menu for Taste of India. This Menu was for Bollywood Masala. I looked at Mein Host.
My other shop.
The Bill
€10.00 Mein Host summoned his lady to deal with the contactless payment. I had to ask:
Did you cook the Beef Curry?
She was proud to admit that she had.
Having declined to come out of the kitchen on our first visit, this time she was more than happy to pose for a photo. Mein Host joined the fun also.
The Aftermath
Later, we walked up towards Syntagma to locate Bollywood Masala (Fokionos 4, Athina 105 63). It was closed. Sources show it to be a more upmarket venue appropriate to its location. If Marg suggests another evening Curry on a future Athena visit, then this will be the place to visit.
Closer to Taste of India, we passed Titas Bangla Indian Restaurant (Diplari 3, Athina 105 52) for the second time. Today I managed a photo, too many chaps dining outside when we first encountered it. So many venues to choose from, all serving Desi Cuisine, Hector Heaven. I’ll never get round them all given that my number of must visit places is ever expanding, and the preference for evening dining remains traditional Greek cooking.