After excellent midweek Curry at Wicker Kebabish (Sheffield), the cuisine of other nations was consumed during the following two nights in Newcastle. Newcastle has yet to reveal a – Curry Cafe – and the two venues visited to date did not have me running back. If there’s anything there I should know about, hopefully the Curryspondents shall advise.
It’s Saturday, it’s 14.00 time to get in the monthly fix at Karahi Palace (51-53 Nelson Street, Tradeston, Glasgow, G5 8DZ). 14.00 appears to be the new 15.00, and today, one had to be early to guarantee one’s seat at the State Bar for this evening’s fitba’, aka Groundhog Day VII. Marg, knowing that she was about to abandon Hector to his own devices for a few days, suggested that Mags accompany me, very little persuasion required.
Arriving at 13.50, there was no sign of Chef Rashid, Ayaz would do the honours. The front of house chap was keen as ever to take the Order.
The usual? – was agreed.
A thought – I may as well order Mags’ Aloo Gosht (£8.00). Two Chapattis (£0.80) would accompany. Maybe one day, Hector will try what Mags claims to be – The Best Aloo Gosht in the World. Karahi Lamb (£9.00) is why Hector was here.
The food was therefore served moments after Mags arrived, service, no messing about.
Aloo Gosht
Always served in a bowl, because it does not have the status of a – karahi – the Lamb was piled high on a bed of large pieces of Potato. How this Masala differs from the Karahi, Hector has long forgotten. I actually looked on with envy, the Potato looked to be just the job, a – Sufficiency of Diversity. Clearly my thoughts were – no Rashid, I should have tried this.
Mags ate all but the bones and half a Chapatti:
Amazing yet again, so full of flavour. Lamb was tender, don’t know how they do it, nobody else can reach that standard.
Indeed, as I write this Blog I hope it encourages people to go out and try the Curry about which I enthuse. It’s about time I took more heed of the information in these very pages.
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Karahi Lamb
Just how hot can a Curry be served? I always marvel at the sizzling contents of the karahi when placed on the table. Hot food, such a simple pleasure.
The Karahi had Ginger Strips along with the Coriander atop, the Aloo Gosht did not command both. I appear to be noticing Oil these days. Oil in my home-cooked Lamb Curry last night was spectacularly lacking, today’s therefore appeared abundant in comparison. I stirred the peripheral Oil back into the Masala as one does. Much better.
I knew this would be – good – not – outstanding – from the off. Chef Rashid knows Hector’s preferred – tweaks – he indulges me. Perhaps Ayaz is still teaching the other Chef who appears to be learning the ropes at Karahi Palace? We had the Spice but not the Seasoning. Herbs were present but not the – Methi blast. Having come to terms with what I had, time to enjoy.
This still had the distinctive – Karahi Palace Flavour. The Masala on the Chapatti was one source of pleasure, the other, the oh so Tender Lamb.
Lifting the larger pieces of Lamb on-the-bone, the gnashers were called into play. No decorum, the only way to eat this creation. All Lamb at Karahi Palace is served this way, so the lady sitting opposite was in no way put off, she was doing the same.
Mags was finished quite a bit before me, eating Potato is less demanding, I concluded. The quantity I had to get through once again impressed. Bread, Meat and a Tomato-rich Masala, simplicity itself. Can I have this with Potato on the side?
The Bill
£18.60
The Aftermath
The main Barclay’s building looks to be nearing completion. I don’t know why Glasgow needs these twin towers, especially after it took so long to get rid of the high rise blocks on the other side of the railway.
Scotland 3 v Israel. Never in doubt…