55 hours, that’s how close Glasgow came to entering Level 2, alas the pubs which have been shut for over seven months shall remain in Lockdown for the foreseeable. One week – my arse. Hector again finds himself barred from going into – The City of Glasgow – for Curry, or anything else, other than being in transit.
G41 & G42, the Southside, are the Glasgow postcodes where the spreading of the – Indian Variant – has been declared a problem. Hopefully those who reportedly have resisted vaccination, will get the message. This is where the Desi Curry Houses are located. I deliberately make no comment upon, or imply a link between, the previous two sentences.
There’s Bier and Curry to be had in Edinburgh, needs must. Kebab Mahal (7 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh EH8 9BH) was chosen as the venue for lunch before meeting Curryspondent Neil for ale indoors. Arriving at 12.20, two chaps were sat at the table I have selected on previous visits. This must be – the spot. Taking in my new viewpoint/perspective, I waited for the Son of Mr. Khan to serve me. Charlie, who claimed to be from Track & Trace (again – no badge, no uniform) kept him engaged for what felt like an age. Hector needed his Curry.
Today was Visit #4, as on Visit #3 I decided to try something different from the Menu. The description for the Lamb Rogan Josh (£7.75) was decidedly – old school. Where the – Creamy Variant – which now dominates menus in the Mainstream Curry Houses came from, nobody appears to know, I have asked my Curryspondents. The original – Tomato-rich – version became my staple Curry back in the days of the Akash (Helensburgh). This means I have eaten such a Curry many hundreds of times.
To accompany, it had to be the Mushroom Pilau (£2.95) which worked so well with the Lamb Madras enjoyed here at the end of last month. Last month? Hector is becoming a regular here.
During my short wait, a delivery guy came in with the supply of cola, another chap came in with boxes of Rapeseed Oil. This is the type of Oil I have been using in recent times, Chapatti John assures me it cooks at a higher temperature.
Lamb Rogan Josh
Now we know know what Kebab Mahal mean by – onion sauce – a Shorva. The slices of cooked Tomato were appreciably more than a Topping, there was masses of the stuff. I wondered if this was to the detriment of the Meat count, on decanting my fear was allayed. There was a mass of Meat below the Tomatoes, large pieces too, into double figures. With the very healthy portion of Mushroom Pilau, this was going to be quite a meal.
For Hector, a Bacon Roll takes on a new dimension when cooked Tomato is added, as does a Pizza with Black Olives. The blast of Tomato here still took me surprise, this was followed by Cloves registering. The Shorva partially disappeared into the Rice and so the latter became even more flavoursome, Flavours from everywhere.
Every Curry I have had at Kebab Mahal has had a level of Seasoning below the Hector idyll. In time, I noted the Shorva was lacking in punch, the Seasoning was in the Meat. Umami – the Meat here was punching above its weight for a standard Curry. The Spice Level could be described as – Moderate – at best. Maybe in future visits I should ask for more Spice and Seasoning. Given the rule that one eats what is put in front of one, there was no reason to be over critical. The Shorva-Rice combination, the amazingly Tender Meat, the Tomatoes, all excellent. We’re not using tinned Mushrooms at Kebab Mahal, are we?
This was comfort food, consequently, more empty plates for Mr. Khan.
The Bill
£10.00 Clearly rounded down.
The Aftermath
I had picked up earlier that the chap manning the show had to be a Khan Jr. I introduced myself and showed the blog entry for my last visit. I explained that I was in Edinburgh today because I was not allowed in Glasgow. I suspect I told everyone I met thereafter. The vaccination programme must continue to be effective.
Later, on my way to Haymarket I was pleased to see the lights on at Rustom Restaurant.