Lamb Chops at The Downsman Curry Club (Wakehurst Drive, Southgate, Crawley, RH10 6DH), one of life’s greatest pleasures. It was fitting that Marg and Hector would join Lord Clive of Crawley at this legendary establishment after our arduous twenty four hours.
We were scheduled to fly back to the UK with Clive and Maggie last week to Gatwick, not the original plan, but easyJet cancelled nearly all of their Scottish routes. After some days at home, a trip to Deutschland was next up, however, the Germans declared that people from the Scottish Central Belt should self-isolate or present an expensive -ve test result on arrival. Fourteen nights in Greece would get around this. A flight to Frankfurt International was our route out of Hellas, but Germany, like Athena is in Lockdown #2. Booking flights from Athena at short notice is very expensive, our best option was a flight to Stansted from Frankfurt International twelve hours after our scheduled arrival. German Hotels have been told to only accept business customers, no tourists. With our hotel booking cancelled, there was nothing for it, find a spot in the airport and sit it out. Imagine an airport with only one shop open. There will now be a gap, to reflect the wait.
Did someone mention Lamb Chops? – I texted to Clive. Clive phoned to confirm the pub’s kitchen opened at 14.00, a table was booked, a necessity.
The Downsman was forcibly closed twice due to Covid outbreaks after Lockdown #1. On Thursday, England goes into Lockdown #2, we have two days before returning to the haven that is Scotland, easyJet permitting.
On arrival Track & Trace was instigated, and our temperatures checked, we are one household.
Clive organised the drinks, for a pub, the Bier range is shocking, Strongbow! I arranged three rounds of Lamb Chops (£10.50).
The Bill
£31.50 Last year a portion of four Lamb Chops cost £9.45. Note, the Lamb Chops are not considered to be a – Starter. I miss the prices in Athena already, however, today proved to be better value than last year.
Plates were brought, along with three Dips. We were advised that the Green Raita was Spicy. Moments later, the sound of sizzling was heard throughout the pub, imagine the Doppler Effect as they approached.
Smoked Lamb Chops
Best Lamb Chops, anywhere? I rest my case – gaze and drool. The photos magically capture the smoke and vapour. Now consider aroma of the Onions cooking on the hot metal platter.
Five Chops, and I would get to eat all five!
The Chops were all chunky, not the skinny ones which some venues serve up. The nodes had been suitably cremated, the Meat glistened. The Thickness of the coating was prominent – yoghurt, ginger, lemon juice and our own homemade tandoori spices.
One Lamb Chop at a time, accompanied by Onions and the Dips. Here we go.
Succulent does not begin to describe the quality of the Meat. Juicy – is a start. Cooked to perfection, the Spice, the Flavours, maybe a tad more Salt in the Tandoori Spice Mix. Gnawing on the bones, times five. Ah, the burnt bits, even more Flavour. Silence befell the table as Marg pointed out by breaking it. The coating was a standout, significantly thicker than the norm. Savour the moment, after the previous twenty fours, we deserved this.
Five Lamb Chops, I could have eaten ten, but Hector le Chef was on duty later.
Marg:
I was ready for that.
Clive:
Excellent as always.
The Aftermath
The waiter said he recognised me, even back from the days of the Ram Club. The Calling Card was given, Curry-Heute would keep him amused for a few hours.
