A mere three days ago – The Age of Certainty – was the title of our last Curry outing, most certainly tongue in cheek. This evening, our small, but proud nation, was once again put through the mill on the football park. Scotland won on penalties! Hector will try to concentrate on things – Curry.
It was Marg who suggested we repeat Monday’s formula of dinner mid afternoon, or Hector’s normal Saturday ritual. Saturday, Hector in a Scottish pub whilst Marg hits a hockey ball. When will we see your like again?
Ambala (11 Forth St., Glasgow, Scotland, G41 2SP) was mooted, we haven’t been for a while. It was back in August when Marg and Hector established that the Lamb Lahori Chaska had moved up a gear, to top gear. There have been two subsequent equally impressive visits. DumPukht Lahori remains a distraction, whilst Spice Haven (Basharat G’z / Lasani Grill) could be on the cusp of greatness.
Forth Street is always busy due to the Cash & Carry next door to Ambala. Double parking is the norm, today triple, Diwali is imminent. Ambala was decidedly quiet when we entered at 15.15, though people appeared to be piling in thereafter. We took the first booth table which is usually occupied by – the businessmen – who frequent Ambala.
Our Host came over to greet.
Guess why we’re here?
A cup of tea, a wee biscuit?
How apposite, given the number of hopefully vaccinated Scots who will be on the train to Wembley next June. But we didn’t know that this afternoon.
Our kilo of Lamb Lahori Chaska (£24.99) would be accompanied by two Chapattis (£1.30).
A new young chap was actually the waiter this afternoon. He verified that our Order had been taken. Marg also told me that the mature chap who sits behind the counter at the window had acknowledged me as we entered. No fuss, just recognition, perfect.
The new chap brought the bottle of Tap Water, the plates and the standard two Ambala Dips. These remained untouched. We watched an array of Dishes being taken to the other diners whilst we waited for our food to be prepared. It took just over half an hour which was most pleasing. When a Karahi Gosht comes too quickly one has to wonder as to the efficacy. This wait was reassuring.
The Chapattis, served whole and folded, looked fairly nondescript. Fully opened, they were worthy Chapattis. A decent size and with girth, these did the job. It has been a while since I have had a Chapatti this good.
Hector’s Bread-making has ground to a halt, and is likely to remain that way if Marg keeps dragging me out for Curry.
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Lamb Lahori Chaska
No karahi today, the Lahori Chaska was served in the wok in which it had been created. Everything was – Hot!
The Toppings were grand, the Ginger Strips and sliced large Green Chillies are prominent, however, just look at how much Coriander is there too.
Two types of Green Chilli had been cooked in, the large ones cut flat and the standard. The Masala was suitably Thick, and as always, the Tomato Seeds stood out, a tomato-based Masala one concludes. Lamb on-the-bone, Marg is close to accepting this as the optimum in terms of Flavour, this did not stop her cherry picking her pieces of Meat. We had ribs and chops, no Sucky Bones today.
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The level of Seasoning was well down today, so no – wow. OK, one had to accept that this was going to be just a very good Karahi Gosht, not an outstanding one. Despite the abundance of Chillies, the Spice Level was such that Marg did not make her customary statement. This Curry was therefore well within acceptable parameters.
Chef didn’t, or did he?
The abundant Meat gave off the full Flavour of – Lamb. Marg remarked on the tenderness of the Meat which was soft, chewy, tender, the lot.
Where was the Oil? The wok sat at an angle on the wooden stand. In time, we had a small puddle sitting adjacent to the remaining Karahi which had magically retained some foliage. This was very much a case of last mouthful as good as the first.
Sharing the kilo with Marg is becoming commonplace and given how few bones were on her side of the table at the conclusion, she possibly ate more Meat today than Hector:
Full of flavour, getting used to lamb on-the-bone … went well with the Chapatti.
The Bill
£27.59 I’ll remind the Reader of the need to be here in even numbers to share the kilo, the half-kilo is not such good value.
The Aftermath
Having discovered the joy that is Strawberry Garden, there had to be a visit.
And so, home for the footy. We all knew what was going to happen in the 89th minute, after all, it’s part of being Scottish. We were due a break, especially after the fix which was Scotland v Italia a few years back, and also more recently, the final seconds of that last game against – The Auld Enemy.
OK, where’s the party ? Aberdoom by all accounts in the media.
Never in doubt, aye right.