As of 18.00 this evening, all restaurants in Central Scotland became Takeaway only. The final – sit-in Curry – for three weeks, so St. Nicola assures us, was at The Village Curry House (119 West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA). This where Marg and Hector headed on the Friday that Boris announced Lockdown #1, we were last here during – Eat Out to Help Out in August.
It was during the therapy Zoom meeting on Wednesday when Jim mentioned that he and Jonathan were heading to The Village for lunch today. I have not seen any of – The Company – in the flesh since our pubs closed some six weeks ago. Since Marg was coming, so was Aileen.
The rendezvous was at 12.30, the plan being, first to arrive arrange the tables … three households, five people, two tables. Marg and Hector the punctual were first, sorted, two window tables. Jonathan was next to arrive and took the adjacent table.
The waitress brought the full Menu, no Lunchtime Menu today which thwarted one Hector plan – order from it twice. Curry – is what I had in mind for today. No way am I ever going to pay full whack for the larger portions of Lahori Karahi. If the half kilo is £20.95, just how small is the portion at £11.50? Anyway, it was the distinctive Flavour of Village Curry that I wanted to experience once more. My desire for this was insatiable a decade ago. Kofta Kirahi (£9.95), Kofta Anda (£9.95) and Kofta Palak (£10.95) have yet to be sampled here. If up to the hoped for Village standard, these could very well become the Curry of distraction. Hector needs to break the Karahi Gosht obsession sometime.
Unless someone trawls through all Village posts to establish otherwise, I believe the last time a Village Lamb Rogan Josh (£9.95) appeared in Curry-Heute was in January 2011 when Robin ordered it. Return to Normality – indeed. Curry-Heute records on that day, Hector turned his nose up at Kofta Anda. Today, an Aloo Gobi would have made an excellent accompaniment, however, this is not on the Village Menu. Bombay Aloo (£4.95) would suffice. For Marg, Keema Mutter (£8.95), her first since Athena.
Having been far from amused by the size and composition of the Special Rice (£3.25) back in August, today I would risk the Mushroom Rice (£2.95), whilst Marg would stick with her customary Tawa Chapatti (£1.10). A litre bottle of Sparkling Water (£2.95) completed our Order. The Waitress recorded – Spicy – on her pad for both the Rogan Josh and the Bombay Aloo.
Our fellow diners ordered who knows what? I would see portions of Pakora arrive, but for once I do not have to report on their meals, there were no photos as social distancing was maintained.
The Village was busy for a lunchtime, other like-minded people, though the number of tables has been greatly reduced. Jim described having seen people leave with huge bags of Takeaway as he passed by recently. The Village is outwith Hector’s – council area, so no Glasgow Curry for three weeks, allegedly. Takeaway from Clydebank et environs and Hector’s Home Cooking is what the immediate future holds. Clydebank Curry all tastes the same, Hector’s Curry may also be guilty of that presently.
Whilst others gorged on Pakora, Marg and Hector sat patiently. The Manager came over to ensure all was well, that we had ordered no Starters explained all. In time, the young chap who brings the food brought out his tray and stand. Here we go…
Lamb Rogan Josh
A sprinkling of Coriander topped nine large pieces of Meat in the classic Village blended Masala. Tomato – was mentioned in the menu description – garnished with cooked tomato – there was no sign of this Vegetable, or – fruit – for the pedants who read this Blog.
Bombay Aloo
This bore little resemblance to the version served back in 2016 when I last ordered Bombay Aloo here. Previously, Potato served in a possibly excessive Masala, today’s had a much thicker, and minimal Masala, shrouding the four pieces of Vegetable. A much better representation by far, Coriander topped this creation whilst the Oil collected on the base of the karahi as is the norm in a Desi Curry.
The Rice portion was again just enough to cover the dinner plate. The dozen pieces of Mushroom appeared to have been cooked separately and added at the point of serving. I arranged the Rogan Josh on the right side of the plate, the Bombay Aloo on the left. The remaining Masala in the Rogan Josh pot revealed a single, stray Pea, this puzzled.
Given that each piece of Lamb in the Rogan Josh would need to be halved, Hector had a substantial quantity of food, the appetite was well ready having gone for a lengthy walk early this morning.
The first mouthfuls of Rogan Josh gave off very little in the way of Spice or Seasoning. Achari registered on the palate, there was a trace of Pickle but not the full Flavour of Village Curry I had hoped for.
As a Side, the quantity of Potato was ideal, enough diversity. There was a Flavour somewhere between aromatic and the beginnings of sweet, this took me aback momentarily, again not what the palate expected. Sliced Green Chillies, the large ones which are ubiquitous in the grocers presently, gave the required – kick. Spice at last, this aided the enjoyment of the Rogan Josh. However, this combination fell well short of what was served in The Village a decade ago. For those reading this Blog in the twenty fifth century and time travel has become possible, set your controls for 2010 and go to The Village downstairs cafe. Those were the days.
Keema Mutter
Suitably – Dry – and with no sign of surplus Oil, this looked to be the business. The Chapatti, served whole, stayed soft, this is what we seek. Marg’s verdict:
Lovely, there was good flavour, burst of coriander and a kick as well. Very enjoyable.
A feature of all the components today, nothing was – Hot-hot – a too common feature at The Village. Had we been sat at a table with our fellow diners, this could have been critical as the various Dishes were assembled on the serving tray.
Marg was not missing the opperchancity for her final Coffee (£2.95) out. This was served – hot – as she desires. There’s nothing worse than a Coffee one can quaff in seconds.
The Bill
£33.80 That’s what happens when one orders Coffee.
The Aftermath
The Manager came over for a chat. The coming weeks were the main topic of conversation, my dismissal of Clydebank Takeaway and Hector’s Cooking. When my Bread-making skills(?) came into the discussion, I claimed to make as good a Paratha as served in many establishments, and better than some. He suggested I bring one in and let them judge. If only that was possible. Marg was quick to point out that my Chapattis and Naan are not there yet.
As we departed, Mr. Baig, Mein Host, came out from the kitchen area to chat. The coming weeks are going to be difficult for business. Roll out the vaccine, asap.