Lahore Karahi (145 King St, Aberdeen, AB24 5AE), has been on the list of Hector’s Recommended Curry Houses for many a year. There have been bumps along the road when either the service, or the food, has made me ask – what’s going on here? This evening, I was left to ask the proverbial – wtf?
Our third Curry in Aberdoom in four nights, so far, excellent. And I thought I was keeping the best to last. We arranged to meet Graeme and Euan at 18.30, our first Curry together for two and a half years, a reflection of the time that has been stolen from our lives. Marg and I arrived first, the new signage was recorded, four other diners were in situ.
The new menu was brought, some minor omissions perhaps, the price increases were certainly dramatic. The Mains have gone up by 50%, as have the majority of the Rice Dishes. Beware of the Mushroom Rice (£5.50). No way can this be justifiable. Is there a more expensive Mushroom Rice in the land? I doubt it.
I have had issues with the astronomical price of Bread in Aberdoom Curry Houses in the more than two decades I have been a regular visitor to this city. I have always highlighted that at Lahore Karahi, they kept their Bread prices reined in. No more. Bread prices have doubled, a Tandoori Roti is now £2.95 – wtf?
That is a disgrace – as a certain M.P. is famed for uttering.
Last time we were here, the chaps brought their own bottled Bier, no corkage charge. On hearing the – clink – of glass as they took their seats, I advised them that there is now a £10.00 corkage charge, per table. Euan said he had checked Lahore Karahi’s website before leaving the house. There was no mention of this, he reported. The chaps were not amused. As Marg and I were having our usual Sparkling Water (£2.95), this made for expensive Bier.
I had Fish Curry (£13.95) in mind, a change from Lamb. Previously I have secured worthy Fish Curry, as it comes, and occasionally with Methi, which has been outstanding. Sometimes, Chef has got it totally wrong and served effectively a Machi Palak, not what was asked for. Tonight, I was taking no chances, Fish Curry, no tweaks, plus a Tandoori Naan (£3.50). Marg couldn’t believe it when she declared her intention to have the Fish Curry also. As is her wont, a single Roti would accompany, we’re not in Bradford now.
Euan always takes advice. The first piece was not to order the Peshwari Naan (£4.25), he doesn’t like it. Chicken Bhuna (£11.95) with an accompanying Tandoori Naan ticked his boxes. Graeme chose Achari Chicken (£11.95), again with a Naan. I wonder what the difference is between Achari Chicken and Chicken Achari Balti (£11.95)? The waitress was not for offering any advice here. The first thing she started to write was – Peshwari Naan! Marg asked for – mild – still in fear mode after her last visit to Ambala (Glasgow). For Hector, – medium-plus.
It was 18.47 when the hot plates and food were brought to the table, a bit too quick for my liking. How did Chef manage to produce Curry, Bhuna and Achari in such a short time?
Fish Curry
The waitress announced that Chef had differentiated between the – mild – and the – medium-plus – by the addition of the sliced Bullet Chilli. Both were topped with a sprinkling of Coriander.
When I had this last year as a Takeaway with Mushroom Rice, everything was – as you like it. I did not recognise the Curry at all this evening.
In recent posts I have commented on how sometimes one can tell a quality Masala by its appearance alone. Tonight, the heart sank, I was not looking at a Punjabi Masala. OK, it was blended as Mainstream Curry Houses do, however, the Masala appeared to have an overdose of – pulp. I love Tomato-based Masala, I do not think that was it. Despite having a decent viscosity, the Texture was simply – not appropriate. Mushy rather than being the – Masala Mash – as presented in the Desi Curry Cafes.
A Fish Curry that lacks Seasoning, I report this far too often. At least the Fish did taste as if it had come from the sea, not a freshwater lake. That was it, so correspondingly, the Masala lacked any strength/depth of Flavour. The Spice was there, as asked for, but at the expense of everything else. I regarded this Curry as – shockingly poor. I know what Lahore Karahi are capable of, this was nowhere near it.
Marg was more forgiving:
A dry sauce with plenty Fish, tasty, but I realised the Fish was in batter. Enjoyable, but not the best. I didn’t like the batter.
Yes, why serve /breaded/battered Fish?
The near oval Naans had no pan-handle/teardrop, my favourite bit. If the traditional sponge was used to stick them to the sides of the Tandoor, I would like to have seen it. The required burnt blisters were present, the edges were of a decent thickness, however, I found the Bread to be too dry. This was nowhere near the quality served at Shish Tandoori a few nights back. The Roti received no comment, Chapattis are preferred.
Achari Chicken
Same topping, same Masala, with added Pickle. I accept that’s how one makes an Achari, what I’m getting at will be made clear below. Graeme’s comment:
It was a Curry. Well cooked chicken, fairly spicy, ok.
Chicken Bhuna
Same topping, same Masala, surely the Bhuna should have looked markedly different? I challenge the Chef to explain why this Masala deserved to be called a Bhuna?
Euan’s few words:
Enjoyed the Naan, Curry was tasteful.
Let’s be clear, there was nothing – wrong – with the Curry served this evening, most certainly edible, but well short of the standards previously attained. The jury is out for Lahore Karahi.
What’s the story? New Chef? Chef’s night off? New management?
The Bill
£81.15 Including the last Corkage Charge I hope this company shall ever pay.
The Aftermath
The staff appeared to be engrossed with each other as we took our leave.