Glasgow – Mother India’s Cafe – Mittwoch Curry

If it’s a Sunday in January, you might find Hector and Marg in the West End at Mother India’s Cafe (1355 Argyle St, Glasgow, G3 8AD). So, unsurprisingly this Wednesday afternoon in the middle of May, that is where we headed. We arrived just on 15.00, the final lunchtime customers were finishing, we would in time, have the place to ourselves.

Marg recognised Katherine, one of the two waitresses on duty. As a consequence or otherwise, three complimentary Poppadoms and two Dips promptly made an appearance at the table.

Only the standard menu was available, no Specials as yet, maybe later. Gone from the Menu is the Lemon and Cashew Nut Rice which Marg has always ordered to accompany her favourite Curry served here, anywhere – Butter Chicken (£6.00). Our waitress agreed that this is a loss, the campaign for its restoration starts here.

For Hector there are no prizes for identifying choice #1, it had to be Machi Masala (£5.80). Lamb Saag (£6.20) would provide a counterpoint in terms of flavour. The sensibly priced Parathas (£2.15) at Mother India’s Cafe have impressed over the years. Marg was expected to assist here on the assumption that she would finish her fallback Chapatti (£0.95). Knowing that she would not manage two full Tapas portions, Marg opted for Vegetable Samosa (£4.50) as her other Dish.

A litre bottle of Sparkling Water (£2.95) completed the Order. Again, I liked the price.

Having only glanced at the Poppadoms when they arrived, I was surprised to find we had three, not for long. Marg tore in, she likes her Poppadoms and knows that Hector is reluctant to order them. When they are presented, as today, great. The portion of Spiced Onions was ample as was the accompanying Raita. Raita? This was substantially more than the norm, Thicker and Creamier, the anticipated Garlic was still prominent, Tzatziki-like.

At Mother India’s Cafe, everything comes when it’s ready, fortunately the Vegetable Samosa arrived first.

Vegetable Samosa

This was quite a plateful. A Salad sat beside the pair of chunky Samosas. Additionally, a Tapas portion of Chana in a Masala provided diversity. Had the remainder of the Order not started to arrive, Marg may well have finished this Dish, however, she realised that would never finish the Curry that brings her back to this venue.

Full of vegetables – began Marg, I asked which – Peas, Potatoes and Cauliflower, it looked like. I enjoyed the Chickpea sauce, very filling.

The Chapatti came a few minutes before the Paratha. Large and thin, the Chapatti looked as if it would go crispy on cooling. It didn’t last long. The large Paratha had the classic Layering, Spiral and Flakiness. That Wholemeal Four had been used was the only parameter which prevented it reaching Hector’s idyll. Banana Leaf in the streets behind sometimes use the preferred White Flour.

Butter Chicken

For Hector, everything about this – Curry – ticked the undesirable boxes. Two large and one smaller piece of Chicken sat in a Thin, Creamy, Soupy Masala. I’ll persist with – Masala – I cannot insult an authentic – Lahori Shorva.

Marg loves it. She loves her Creamy Curry, and ironically it is the – kick – in Mother India’s Butter Chicken which makes it stand out from the rest, I’m told.

Temperature hot, loads of Chicken, the special – kick – was present – said the Lady who heartily ate one of Hector’s own creations last weekend which was – Super Spicy.

With both of my Dishes arriving simultaneously, I had to be careful with my choice of – Starter. I decided to commence with the much missed Fish.

Machi Masala

Just look at how Thick the Masala is here, proper Curry! Looking back at previous visits, this interpretation was even – Drier – than previously recorded. The closer any Fish Curry gets to Indian Mango’s (München) Chettinad, the better.

I counted six decent sized pieces of Fish in the Masala which prominently featured finely chopped Onions. There was a distinctive Tangy Flavour, different from the usual Citrus Blast. The Spice Level was not demanding but probably enough for most palates. The Fish retained its firmness and so was markedly different from the Flaky Fish served in say, a Fish Karahi in Bradford. That I choose to mention Bradford, the still Curry Capital, goes some way to show how difficult it is to secure quality Fish Curry in Glasgow.

The Tangy Flavour today felt as if this Curry was approaching Achari, still, it was full on, enjoyable.

Lamb Saag

The flash photograph does not accurately represent that which stared at me from the pot. I saw a Dark, Thick and Rich Masala covering four large pieces of Meat. That each piece of Lamb would be halved meant this – Tapas portion – had more Meat than some so called full portions.

Something has been driving me towards Spinach during Lockdown, the non compromising Flavours, less subtle than Methi? The Herb Blast here was everything I had hoped for. Whilst I could see green strands of Spinach, I would assume that there was array of Herbs present here. Compared to the Machi Masala, the levels of Spice and Seasoning were distinctly lower here, this did not matter, the Spinach fix is what was sought, it delivered.

The final piece of Lamb had to be cut into three pieces. This was some Tapas portion, I was approaching my limit. Having eaten way more of the Paratha than I normally would, the Bread was abandoned whilst I took care of the Meat. Finally, I was left with a few scoops of Masala, and so it was back to the Paratha. The Earthy Flavour of the Spinach was still hitting the spot. A worthy change from my usual, or could this become a more frequent choice?

Rather than take the plate with the remaining Samosa and Chana to the kitchen for packing, a foil container was brought to the table. In this way only one person was in contact with the food, Marg. Sensible.

The Bill

£28.55    £1.36 of this was marked as – Tax. I had to ask, all was explained. Should we thank the Chancellor of the Exchequer that tax on food is presently so low?

The Aftermath

After Marg and Katherine had chatted about matters hockey related, I introduced myself. It was only two days ago when I finally got around to posting the stand alone page for Mother India’s Cafe and so was determined that someone should see it. Showing an extensive array of Dishes from the Menu, it’s not just Machi Masala and Butter Chicken. I had to ask about the fabled Lamb Kofta, Katherine has never seen it in her time here, another campaign.

As I put on my fleece I suddenly became aware of the music, the opening bars of a popular Neil Diamond song. This could well be the first music I have heard in a restaurant in the UK for over a year, however, – touching me, touching you – is not permitted for another five days.

As we departed I did admit to coming here when I have failed to find Banana Leaf open at their advertised times. South Indian Curry, it has been a while.