Mosque Kitchen (31-33 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh EH8 9BX) lies opposite the venerable Kebab Mahal and has been on the radar for some time. Marg and Hector popped in to the Mosque Kitchen for a wee shufti on our last visit to Nicolson Square, then continued to Kebab Mahal as planned. Having looked at other sources, the Lamb Curry showed potential, today was the day to establish if a picture can paint a thousand flavours.
Some of – The Company – meet regularly on Wednesdays in Edinburgh. The availability of a super-offpeak return on the train, at a bit over £6.00 return, has made regular journeys through to the East viable.
I arrived at 14.20, there were only a handful of customers in this somewhat large Curry Cafe. In the Manchester style, the fayre was on display in food pans, ready to serve. The Village (Glasgow) is considering setting up something similar, that would be a first in the West.
As is the Curry-Heute tradition, Chicken Curry was dismissed as its efficacy remains unconvincing. This left Lamb Curry & Rice (£8.00) or Lamb Rogan Josh & Rice (£8.50). The latter was alarmingly – red. The combination of Lamb Curry & Veg Curry with Rice (£8.50) is one for the future. Manchester’s – Rice & Three – has not reached these parts.
As I surveyed the spread, so a chap led the way. Had there been a crowd it would have felt like – school dinners. My plate was filled with a generous helping of Pilau Rice, the Meat and Masala was then spread on top. One pays at the end of the display.
The Bill
£8.00 A fridge with drinks sits adjacent to the till. As I saw no glasses/cups, I purchased no drink. One never drinks from a can/bottle.
Lamb Curry & Rice
It was the Masala which brought me here, it has that – special – appearance which I shall describe as possessing an – oily porosity. A hint of something herb-like sat to one side of the plate where the Masala had run free. The Rice featured Seeds, I hoped for Cumin, but no telltale blast was forthcoming. Seven large pieces of Meat, school dinners came to mind once more. I thought back to a certain lady who would count the chips in the scoop as she served them, shaking off what she regarded as too many. Each piece of Lamb would be halved, I had no issues therefore with the portion size vis a vis the price.
I started with Masala and Rice, crucially, the first sample reveals all. One visits new venues in the hope that something outstanding will be encountered. These moments are rare.
Whatever it is that makes a Curry stand out out from the Mainstream, the distinctive – Desi taste, here it was. Magnificent! The Spice warmed the mouth, the level of heat would grow, steadily, but not to a level which should cause anyone discomfort. The Flavours were delightfully complex, no single Spice stood out. Thanks to the perfect level of Seasoning, they continued to give the anticipated pleasure. I spotted a solitary, whole Black Peppercorn; the Seeds in the Rice remained unknown. And this was just the Masala. Somehow, its appearance made me know what to expect.
The Lamb varied for Tender to super-Soft. The Meat was giving off both the Flavour of the Lamb itself and the Spices in which it had been sat. This was another measure of the quality present here, a proper – Curry.
Meat and Masala with Rice, the Classic Curry, yet I still prefer an Interesting Vegetable to accompany. I shall discover how this works in future visits.
For once I could have done with more Masala, such was the quantity of Rice. I noted that the Curry here is all cooked in Olive Oil. Could that be another secret to achieving this level of Flavour?
Two chaps sat on the far end of the table, I waited until they departed and took the photo across Nicolson Square. It could be some time before I return to the impressive Kebab Mahal. Mosque Kitchen will certainly become my next – Edinburgh project.
The Aftermath
I took a Calling Card to the serving area where two chaps were sat waiting for their next customers. The chap who took it look puzzled, but did give me permission to take the required photos.
Nicolson Square has Mosque Kitchen and Kebab Mahal, whilst a couple of minutes away lies Tanjore – South Indian Restaurant which first brought me to the university area of the city. There’s also the matter of – The Original Mosque Kitchen – which lies west of Nicolson Square. Edinburgh Curry is looking up, for decades there was little to excite.
Hopefully, I’ll be back early in the New Year, unless of course today was my last visit to Edinburgh for the the next six months. I remain to be convinced that Omicron justifies the threatened/potential restrictions.
2021 Menu
