Eleven Takeaways in the eleven years of Curry-Heute from New Kismet Tandoori (311 Drumry Rd, Drumchapel, Glasgow, G15 8PA) and the first since February last year. Despite being Hector’s local Takeaway, New Kismet was strictly speaking – out of bounds – for Bankies during much of Lockdown being a few metres over the West Dunbartonshire boundary.
With no need to cook this evening, and having recovered from the excesses of last week in Manchester, waiting another day for Curry seemed pointless, bring it on.
Desi Lamb (£6.80) with Special Rice (£3.00) was the Order, – without Peppers – the usual caveat. The serving chap stated that there would have been none anyway. I do not believe I have ever encountered the dreaded ballast added to a – Desi Curry.
The Bill
£10.00 a 20p charge for the poly bag?
It felt strange standing inside, hopefully the days of waiting outside for one’s Order have gone for good. 16.30 on a Friday, delivery time. New Kismet was being re-stocked with Oil, Mushrooms and fizzy drinks. I watched a hellish combination of Chips, Donner and Cheese being assembled, enough to feed a family. For whom, I knew not, it was either being collected or was going out for delivery. Hector was off, Takeaway in hand, no Mein Host so no complimentary Pakora for Hector this evening.
Don’t take a car to Drumry Roundabout between 16.30 and 17.00 if one is heading south. I would have been quicker walking home.
A reheat was considered, I decided to take a chance. The Special Rice featured Onions, Peas and Mushrooms, today I was 100% confident that the Mushrooms were fresh, as in not from a tin. These plastic containers are deceptive, the volume of Rice was easily enough for two, I had the same volume of Curry, but what was the ratio of Meat to Masala?
Desi Lamb
I counted sixteen pieces of Lamb, half of which would certainly need to be halved. Having arranged the Meat over the Rice, I noted the quantity of Masala left over, not that much, so once again, a great value Curry from New Kismet.
Strands of Coriander were embedded along with sliced green Chillies. The Viscous Masala was as good as one can expect in a – Curry. The structure had pedigree, but it’s all about the taste.
I have written oft about – The Clydebank Curry Taste – a feature of every establishment in this metropolitan area, as if one Chef had cooked the base for all Curry. This Desi Lamb certainly paid homage, but whatever makes me want to return to New Kismet, albeit sporadically, had something else: A New Kismet Taste?
The Spice was there, the Chillies enhanced this. The Seasoning was decidedly lower than the Hector idyll, however, a definite – Tang – ensured Flavour beyond that of simple Spice. The Meat was Tender but felt a bit dry at times, the extra Masala was therefore called into action. As per the plan, the Vegetables in the Rice provided the required – Diversity.
A New Kismet Taste, in the end I decided this Curry was certainly distinctive, but as in the last time I had the Desi Lamb, I have to ask, in what way is this – Desi? Still, to have this virtually on my doorstep is comforting, as was the eating. Bring it on!