The final day in Berlin, there had to be Curry-Heute. Hector has found himself in Friedrichshain with increasing regularity, i.e. whilst in Berlin. Protokoll Taproom has been the main attraction, however, Bräugier are opening, softly, their second premises outside Ostkreuz Bahnhof. Friedrischshain, the place to be, when not in Prenzlauer Berg.
I have therefore passed Punjab Food Corner (Boxhangerstrasse 121, 10245 Berlin Deutschland) a few times and even took a menu last year. Real Punjabi fayre in Berlin? Not today, they are presently operating as a Takeaway only.
And so Kashmir Indische Spezialitäten (Niederbarminstrasse 3, 10247 Berlin, Deutschland) was chosen from the cluster that has grown in this part of the former Ost Berlin. Delhi Palast halal is across the street.
Most tables had been set up outside, on entering a couple occupied one of the two remaining. The room to the rear has clearly not been in use for some time. On showing the Vaccine Passport, Mein Host moved the unoccupied small table further away from our soon to be fellow diners.
It was 15.30, Marg was in Snack mode, Samosas (€4.30) and Tomattensuppe (€3.50) were her choices.
The Curry Menu was standard for Europe, my last chance to have Duck on this trip, so I opted for Lamb. Mutton Subji (€9.90), Rice included, has been my get out of gaol Curry in Deutschland for many years. Meat and Vegetables, how I like my Curry. Ohne Paprika was noted along with Mittel-Scharf, plus. Our two 0.4l glasses of Sparkling Water felt a bit like a con as the water was served in the glass, presumably from a big bottle.
Online Takeaway orders were coming in as well as in person. Chef was being kept busy. What I saw of a Naan being wrapped in foil, looked good.
The Samosas came before the Soup, well they would.
Samosas
A large pair, filled with Vegetables, and Marg would never decide if there was Meat or not. These sat atop some Raita and a brown, tangy sauce which we both took to be Tamarind, but on tasting, seemed otherwise. A modest Salad accompanied also.
Marg did identify Potato, Peas and Chickpeas. The Samosas were enjoyed:
Good size, with hot potato filling, sitting on a spicy sauce and some salad. An enjoyable snack.
Tomatensuppe
Is Hector really going to review soup? Marg does:
The soup came second and had a dollop of cream. Although thin in texture, there was always a creamy taste which appeared throughout the whole dish.
I’ll just say, good to compare the Texture with what follows.
The Rice was served in the metal bowls I like to see my Curry served in, but not in Europe. I took as much Rice as I knew I would manage. Always a waste. I was pleased to see a threat of Cumin Seeds had been mixed in, not enough to consider this as Jeera Rice.
Mutton Subji
The tall pot impressed, the false bottom did not. As I decanted the Meat, I reached a count of eight, and assumed there was much more to come. Then I hit the bottom of the pot, about two thirds of the way down. The Vegetables were abundant, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas, and Courgette, each cooked to perfection. Strangely there was no Potato.
The Mutton was Tender and had the distinctive Flavour which marks it from other Meats. In other words, it tasted of Lamb! The Spice Level impressed. There have been too many Deutsche Curry experiences when this has not been so. The Seasoning? I couldn’t make up my mind here. Perhaps it depended on whether I was having Meat or Vegetables. I haven’t mentioned the Masala.
I had seen the chap adjacent spoon his Shorva over his Chicken. I sincerely hoped the same Masala was not coming my way. Sadly, I have to report that Marg’s Tomato Soup was thicker.
Just how much, if any, Onion had been used in the preparation of this Shorva? Too thin, too creamy, it was the source of the Spicy Kick. Seriously, I would have to ask, what self-respecting Curry Chef would serve this with pride? One could just have easily used the contents of a jar purchased in the supermarket to achieve this level of satisfaction. Whole Cardamom, Cinnamon Bark, Peppercorns, to name three, would have added more Flavour. This – Masala – was just too basic.
Still, I ate all before me. There was nothing wrong with the food, as a Lamm Goulasch it would have been perfectly acceptable, however, it was meant to be – Curry.
The Bill
€24.70 (£21.18) How I miss Athena Curry prices, how I miss Athena Curry.
The Aftermath
I introduced Curry-Heute to Mein Host. He said he would have a look on Monday or Tuesday, – weekend, no!
Thirty minutes later, as we entered Protokoll Taproom, a Cumin Seed dislodged itself. What a blast! This is what Hector was looking for. Too late the Spice.
Menu extracts
