What are your plans for today? – asked Marg, as she tends to do.
I fancy lunch at The Village – I just hung that out there.
And so we headed across the river to The Village “Curry House” (119 West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA) where hopefully the Lunchtime Menu would have been restored. Arriving around 13.30, the first thing to note was the change in skyline. Check-in, still required, was duly completed. We were shown by the waitress to a window table, four other couples were sat similarly. It was good to see that something resembling the former seating capacity has been restored. Mr. Baig, Mein Host lingered in the distance.
Lunchtime Menus were provided, a visible tweak in pricing since I last took the opperchancity to have this. A large bottle of Sparkling Water was asked for, no longer available. The thought of paying of paying £3.90 for two half litre bottles felt wrong, yet we have probably paid more for the litre. A well known and reliable source proves we paid £2.95 for the litre here last visit. Glasses of tap water were provided.
The Lahore 2 Course Lunch (£7.95) includes a Starter and a limited choice of Curry, though back in the day when the Glasgow Ladies were running the lunchtime show, there was a knowledgeable flexibility. A Palak Gosht was once served to Hector in what must have been amongst the final – Curry Lunches with Mother. Keema remains an option.
Unsurprisingly, the staff at The Village has changed, the young waitress and chap bringing the Curry were unknown to Hector, and vice versa.
The Order was taken, Vegetable Pakora for us both, Lamb Curry, boneless for Marg, on-the-bone for Hector. There was a surcharge, 50p for Lamb, £1.50 for Lamb on-the-bone. Already I hear people asking why pay more for possibly less Meat? The Curryspondents know that Lamb on-the-bone is in a different league in terms of Flavour. I would have Rice, Marg the two Chapatti option. Two Chapattis? There would be Bread for Hector.
The waitress returned momentarily to ask who was having Lamb Curry on-the-bone? Typically, a Lunchtime Curry is served here with the Rice on the same plate. I asked for them them to be separate – so as to share. What is this – share – word that keeps appearing? Fine for Sundries, no way for Mains, kilos aside.
Vegetable Pakora
Three large – warm-hot – pieces of Pakora and a cold Chilli Sauce. It would have been better if both had been hot a la Karahi Palace and Yadgar. Spicy Pakora, and surprisingly filling. Quantity wise, well judged, after all this is Lunch.
In recent times, Hector has had issues with the size of the Rice portions served a la carte at The Village. Hector always has an issue with something at The Village, as a long established customer, I feel it’s partly up to me to help maintain standards through this medium.
Today, the Rice was comparable to what one could otherwise pay £2.50 for. Marg took what she desired, I was left with more than enough to accompany the Curry portion. After the thin, standard Chapattis of Bradford, the Glasgow, thick, puffy ones were immediately more substantial. Marg as expected, took care of one, I would manage but a half.
Lamb Curry – boneless
Lamb Curry – on-the-bone
The Coriander garnish distinguished them for the serving staff. The Masala in the latter may be a bit darker, both blended. I counted six pieces of Meat, two of which were on-the-bone. In addition, there was a solitary Sucky Bone, no Meat attached. For Lunch, definitely more than adequate, but do compare with my most recent visit to Kabana (Manchester).
Very tomatoey – was Marg’s immediate observation.
Tomatoey, yes, red, no. The Masala at The Village is what had Hector eat here multiple times a week in the early years of the millennium. I couldn’t get enough. Moderately Spiced, it’s all down to the Seasoning which of course matched the Hector idyll. I removed a tiny piece of Cinnamon Bark, Marg didn’t have this. A – Clove blast – took me back to Manchester. The Masala is what sets The Village apart from the Mainstream, ah The Village Curry Taste. This is why I was here, Manchester and Bradford in recent days, The Village can reliably follow on.
Marg had a Village Curry, Hector had this, plus.
The Bill
£17.90 Mr. Baig took the payment.
The Aftermath
I spotted the Specials Board, albeit blank, my cue to ask if they would be making a return. Hector still dreams of the long gone Laal Lahori, though I see that the online Takeaway Menu has Ginger Lahori Lamb on-the-bone. I note also another long time favourite the Tawa and most importantly, Village Desi Korma – Lamb on-the-bone which has been missing from the in house Menu for some time. Also added, Afghan Karahi by the kilo, a future birthday treat?
Mr. Baig acknowledged the Afghan Cuisine and was keen to tell me of the planned reorganisation of the Takeaway area. Kebab and Pizza will be separated, plus, Ready Curry will be available, presumably kept hot a la Manchester model in kettles.
There’s something here for everyone. Let’s hope people will return in numbers.
