Sheffield – 7 Spices Balti – The Last Supper?

… or a tale of two waiters

Lord Clive of Crawley on a visit to Sheffield, once texted Hector looking for advice on where to have Curry. Curry-Heute, that well known and reliable website had none. B.C-H. there were two venues, long gone, which were visited oft. The venues covered in Curry-Heute have therefore only been visited since 2016. No sooner was the excellent Lahori Dhera Grill & Steakhouse discovered when it closed. Apna Style, found in 2018, is currently the only known outlet for Desi Curry, but try getting a posse to the hinterland of Bramall Lane. The ladies like ambience, Apna Style is a classic Curry Cafe. 7 Spices Balti (Mayfair Court, 120 Gibraltar St., Sheffield S3 8PP England) has been therefore the most visited venue, primarily due to its location on the edge of Kelham Island, i.e. Bierland. The coverage of Curry Houses in Sheffield remains limited, after this evening, this may well change.

Marg popped in to 7 Spices Balti around 17.00 to check they could take a party of up to six at 19.00, with the proviso that two could be late. Not a problem. After two hours in the surprisingly disappointing Shakespeares, or is it Shakespeare’s, their staff don’t know either, four of us walked the few metres back to 7 Spices Balti. The chap who greeted, I shall hitherto refer to as waiter #1, tried to give us a table to the left with two bench seats. For six? No way. He showed us to a much more spacious set up at the window to the right. Much better.

Six? In addition to Hector, Marg and Clive, the trek now features Howard. Kirstie and Simon were making a guest appearance but were stuck in traffic. Other than photos to prove they did make it, I have not included their Order, separate Bill, and too far to reach across the table.

The party of four were left to give time for the missing two. Having given the assurance that we would be six, it was agreed that the four should order. This satisfied waiter #1 pro tem. That he then tried to move us to a smaller table did not go down well. We had booked for six, we would be six. The restaurant was far from full.

Portions at 7 Spices Balti typically resemble what used to be called – London Portions – i.e. – small. Lamb Chops (£4.55) were mooted by Hector. Marg, with Clive as her ally announced the intention to have Poppadoms.

The Menu clearly states Spiced Popadoms 0.80. Waiter #1 informed us this meant one. Quote – a misprint. Can a business do this? It is written, plural! Score out the – s!

How many Chops are there in Lamb Chops then, one? – I had to ask.

I was assured it would be three, or four. That’s a 33.3% error margin.

Marg could sense my level of annoyance, I hope this comes across.

Four Poppadoms were ordered. (£3.20).

That the Pickle Tray was another £2.50 just makes matters worse. My thoughts about Poppadoms and Dips are well recorded, this is just ripping off the public.

In addition to his Poppadoms, Clive sought a Seekh Kebab (£4.20), and Howard the Fish Pakora (£4.50). Howard was in the mood for Fish tonight, and so was Hector.

Karahi Fish (£9.95) would be an alternative to the Masala Fish Handi (£9.95). Back in 2017, I described this as being amongst the best “Fish Karahi” I have ever tasted. Marg had the Handi last year, but it didn’t taste of Fish. Tonight would be the decider. Howard would have the same, had he gone for the Handi one of us would have suffered knowing he had ordered the wrong Curry. This way, we would both win or both lose.

The Menu listed the ingredients of the Fish Karahi, Cod, at least we would know the type of Fish for a change. Capsicum was not mentioned, I was taking no chances. Waiter #1 admitted they would be present. Why?

They would be withheld, from both portions of Fish Karahi.

After her very sweet Murgh Makhani in Peterborough, Marg was back on form: Karahi Keema Mutter (£8.95). Having read the lengthy Menu to Clive, he opted for Achari Lamb Handi (£9.95), the only Curry which did mention – green peppers – as being present.

The Bread order was varied: a Chapatti (£1.25) for Marg, Plain Paratha (£?), still not on the Menu but enjoyed on previous visits for Hector, a Garlic & Coriander Naan (£3.30) for Howard, and of course, a Keema Naan (£3.50) for Clive.

Keema Naan with Fish? I have already pointed out this incongruity to Clive, tonight he ignored me. So it goes.

The Poppadoms were the type commonly served in Europe, the tasty ones with Cumin Seeds. However, look at the way they are folded, this is nonsense. Tiny, gone in seconds.

Kirstie and Simon arrived, they sorted a much needed drinks order and stuck to Mains. We would have these together.

Seekh Kebab

The Seekh Kebabs were a pair, worth pointing this out, and looked well cooked.

Fish Pakora

Howard ate his Fish Pakora in silence, we both knew the score here.

Bland, six or seven pieces – was Howard’s description – nobody can do Fish Pakora like Yadgar.

On this, we are one.

Lamb Chops

The three good sized Lamb Chops were decidedly under-fired, whereas the Onions were getting there. They were cooked through but did not have the customary burnt extremities, as a result, the bite was not there.

It is time to mention waiter #2, this chap was making good connections as he presented the food, reminiscent of the chap who was here on our earliest visits. As he watched me photograph everything so it became clear he wanted in on the act. Hector is always happy to oblige.

Four different Bread types had been ordered, guess who received the only one which was not served whole? The Paratha had been needlessly quartered, but at least did live up to expectations. Served piping hot, the required layering and flakiness was present.

The folded Chapatti looked kind of insignificant compared to the round Keema Naan and Garlic & Coriander Naan. I didn’t manage to check the interior of the Keema Naan to check if the Mince was cooked in the preferred grains or the less than satisfactory slab of pink meat.

Fish Karahi

There was visibly more Masala than solids. As I got underway, waiter #1 was back to enquire:

Did you find any green peppers?

No – was the accurate reply.

I’m still looking for the Fish – is the reply that I managed to withhold else Marg’s night out may well have been ruined. I know the portions here are comparatively small, more Cod required. As it happens, I found two slivers of Capsicum, one yellow, one red. Howard managed to escape the dreaded mush.

The Curry was again served hot which is always a plus when six Mains are to be presented. The Spice Level was reasonable, however the Seasoning was well below what one expects. Where was the blast of Flavour from the Fish? This was essentially a repeat of last year. The Fish Karahi was enjoyable, but could have been so much more, once upon a time it was.

Howard had the same Curry and hence the same experience:

First impression was the sauce was an odd consistency. The fish portion was small, there was little in the way of flavour. The only element of flavour I got was spice, and indeed, overall, the main tastes I got was from the Naan.

Achari Lamb Handi

When placed on the table, this had the makings of a worthwhile Curry. The ratio of solids to Masala looked favourable, the Oil was separating from the Masala, Hector would have been happy to dive in here.

Once Marg had decanted a sufficiency to Clive’s plate then the full horror story was revealed. Just how much Red Capsicum could Chef get away with? Clive does not share my abhorrence and ate the lot.

Saucy, but not soup – he began – it just needed to be bigger.

Karahi Keema Mutter

Served on the wet side compared to Hector, and Marg’s favourite sources for this Curry, I took all of the protrusions to be Peas initially, then again, all was revealed. Marg has drawn the short straw on so many occasions. If there is one thing, or two things which spoil Marg’s enjoyment it’s Big Blobs of Onion and Big Blobs of Capsicum. What were these even doing in this Dish?

Ballast! Capsicum is cheap, Meat is expensive. The portions this evening were universally – small – and here they were creating the illusion of something substantial. Marg set aside the unwanted and unnecessary Ballast, I believe the photo says it all.

The Bill

£76.50   The tip was modest, to match the portions.

The Aftermath

There were many empty tables when the six of us departed in unison, so why the fuss earlier?

It must be time to try other venues.  Spice Hut looks interesting but as with Apna Style, it’s out of town.