Eight years ago, on this exact date, Hector and Marg made the first visit to Shri Bheema’s (15-17 Belmont Street, Aberdeen AB10 1JR), tonight was the second. Their larger premises at Bridge of Don have been celebrated in the subsequent years. This was the intended venue for this evening’s get together, alas, on making the booking, it was confirmed that Shri Bheema’s – Bridge of Don is closed.
Tonight Hector and Marg were joined by Angus and Alison who last dined with us at Ambal’s Restaurant six years ago. Ambal’s has been gone for years, the premises remain, branded but empty. Also present, Kenny, who became a media star when his electricity was off for a week, plus his Lady, who has gone by the moniker – Ms X – in previous posts. Our last Curry outing was also years ago, at Echt Tandoori. A return visit to Echt Tandoori is also overdue, more satisfying (IMHO) than their Aberdeen branch – Wild Ginger – by far. Clearly, there is no truth in the rumour that the People of Aberdoom are lining up to join Hector and Marg for Curry.
The booking was for 19.00, all were punctual. The room was otherwise empty. One couple did take a table opposite, their stay was not as long as ours.
The waiter had little choice but to be patient. The Drinks order was placed, the menus distributed, thereafter little action on the Curry front. There was a lot of catching up, particularly for the three ladies, former school chums.
In the meantime, Hector was studying the Menu, it was the same as that of Shri Bheema’s Bridge of Don, and the prices had not changed since our last visit on December 25, 2019. On that evening, Hector ordered Kanchi Lamb Curry (£18.99) based on what was served to Marg two years previously. I did exactly the same thing again this evening, a Thick Masala with South Indian Flavours is what was anticipated. Marg couldn’t believe when she declared her choice and it matched mine.
But its got Coconut!
I knew this not to be intrusive.
£18.99, a ridiculous price for a Curry, however, it does come with Steamed Rice which, priced at £3.99, is bearable. I know everyone is holding their breath, wondering about the price of a single Chapatti … Chapathi (£2.99), however, the option for a Tandoori Roti (£3.49) remains. Who orders Bread at these prices? Tonight, Kenny and Alison would each order a Naan (£3.99) whilst I insisted that Marg and I share a Paratha (£3.99). Why?
It was on looking back to Visit #1, I realised the misplaced criticism regarding the pale, under-fired Paratha. This was probably my first encounter of the now much sought after – White Paratha. This had to be verified.
Eventually, we were ready to order: Kenny: Prawn Biryani (£14.99), his Lady: Makwali Fish Curry (£13.99) with Coconut Rice (£5.99), Angus: Lamb Shashlik (£12.49) with Pilau Rice (£3.99), Alison: Chicken Korma (£12.49).
More Drinks! I let Marg finish the litre bottle of Sparkling Water (£3.49) and joined the chaps with a Cobra (£4.99) which proved to be 4p cheaper than a Gin & Tonic. Party on!
Hot plates were allocated to Kenny, Alison and Ms X. Chef had other plans for Angus, Marg & I.
Kanchi Lamb Curry
Behold the plate of – Soup! Hector and Marg both ordered this? It’s just as well it came with Rice, Bread alone would have been impossible, we had Bread.
The Paratha was served whole, and it was – White! Layered, with the softest of Flakes, this was it, the Paratha of my dreams. This required a strategy. The Paratha had to be dipped in the Soupy Masala, whilst the Rice would soak up the rest. Adding Rice to Curry always feels bizarre, but that’s what we had to do. Rice, there was so much of it. One bowl between us would have sufficed. Even without the Bread, there was more Rice than one could eat. Between us we left about two thirds of one portion.
As always the first dip of Paratha into the Masala would reveal so much. Topped with Red Chillies, these added more to the underlying – smoky – Flavour. There was Spice, not enough to have Marg make her customary outburst, there was Seasoning, enough to make me take note. This Masala had everything one could hope for, Texture aside. Why so runny?
Earthy – exclaimed Marg from across the table – and I love the Paratha.
The Meat was a fishing expedition. There was no need to decant, though I was tempted to add the mix of Curry & Rice back to the Rice bowl. How else was I meant to count the pieces? It felt as if there was an elegant sufficiency. Tender Lamb, full of Flavour, as with the Lamb Budda at Shish Tandoori two nights ago, Hector was doing well with his choice of Aberdeen Curry this week.
The taste of South Indian Curry is so distinctive, once in a while, it’s a real treat.
Marg: I chose it as it seemed to be an interesting concoction of ingredients, it sounded different. When it arrived it was runnier than expected, but it worked with the big bowl of rice. The meat was tender, the taste was earthy and flavoursome. I really enjoyed the soft Paratha.
The custom in Curry-Heute at this point is to describe the other Dishes around the table then obtain a few words from my fellow diners. Alas, such was the intensity of the catching up, Hector failed to butt in, however one sentence was secured from the unlikeliest source.
Lamb Shashlik
Not a Curry, but a Lamb Kebap topped with Syboes with an accompanying Salad. The Red Sauce is something Hector has learned to avoid. Too often straight from a bottle, Chilli Sauce tends to be as Sweet as it is Spicy. Angus had ordered Pilau Rice when Bread would have been the logical accompaniment. However, he and Alison were sharing the Rice and a Naan.
Angus did express his pleasure immediately, he had chosen something to his taste. Thereafter it a matter of clearing the plate, which he did, though half the Pilau Rice was left over.
*
Makwali Fish Curry
The last time I saw this Curry at Shri Bheema’s Bridge of Don, it was – green. Tonight’s version does look a bit more appealing despite the obvious – Soupiness. Whilst a – Dry Curry – is always seen as being the optimum, when a Masala has intense Flavour, all can be forgiven.
Described as being – sweet – five years ago, tonight’s looked closer to a Chettinad with the Dark Red Dry Chilli on top. It was Judith who had ordered it, for the first time she is named and her image appears in Curry-Heute.
Judith: My Fish Curry was vert tasty, rice was ni*e but I’m still not sure which one I had.
Indeed, Judith and Angus had the Pilau and Coconut Rice before them, neither could establish which was which.
*
*
Chicken Korma
This Curry last featured in March, 2015 when five of Marg’s hockey players ordered it. Chicken Korma is Chicken Korma. It’s for those who like a mild, Creamy Curry, a safe bet, never demanding, but it doesn’t have to be. I have served this on demand with extra Green Chillies to up the Spice Level.
Prawn Biryani
This was the proverbial mountain of Rice accompanied by two small bowls of sauce, a Raita and presumably a Masala. I would have expected, and have confirmed, the serving of much more Masala as Marg and I did recently at the Sheesh Mahal (Bradford).
This seemed a strange choice by Kenny who ate the more – interesting – elements and left half the Rice.
Of the five bowls of Rice on the table, none were finished. There is a physical limit as to how much Rice a person can eat. At the end of our meal, the table resembled a European Curry House with leftover Rice everywhere.
Tea and Coffee followed, for some. It was after 21.00 when all was done. A different evening in many ways.
The Bill
£167.43 Drinks, various, accounted for about £50.00 of this.
The Aftermath
Mein Host this evening did remark that it had been five or six years since I was last at these premises.
Actually, it’s eight – I was able to confirm.
I had to enquire about Bridge of Don. They clearly still have the option to reopen but recent events have thwarted this. I also asked about their Edinburgh branch on Nicolson Street, it closed a couple of years back.
Nicolson Street? This is Curry Central in the Capital. I suspect the long established Tanjore serve pretty much the same as Shri Bheema’s.