Some may be wondering if this is still a Glasgow Curry Blog. As the tagline states, it will hopefully always be much more. Hector is home, but with the announcement this afternoon of the end of Covid testing for travel to the UK, flights have been booked.
The first Glasgow Curry of 2022 is fittingly at the newest Curry House in the city. For many years there was – The Wee Curry Shop – on Buccleuch Street, one of the three which originally bore that name, part of the Mother India chain. To the best of my knowledge it closed in December 2020. Around the corner we now have Curry Cottage – Indian Restaurant & Bar (91 Cambridge Street, Glasgow G3 6RU) which I believe is operated by the same folk who ran the aforementioned venue. Cambridge Street, Hector last had Curry in this street at The Scottish Curry Awards, three times a finalist for Curry Lover of The Year, three times a runner up. Who wins awards?
I entered the empty Curry Cottage at 14.40, by 14.42, two other male, solo diners had joined me. Mid afternoon, the ideal time for Curry, I congratulate Curry Cottage for staying open, this may guarantee more business in future.
The Menu was already on the table. Mein Host came to take my Order, I was nowhere near ready, the others got in first. I recognised Mein Host, yet it is many years since I last set foot in The Wee Curry Shop.
I was too late for – The Lunch Menu – (£7.95) which only featured Chicken or Vegetable Dishes. Machi Masala (£13.95) almost tempted, I was having one of the seven Lamb options. Seven, not a huge choice, better this than endless tweaks of the same Curry.
Lamb Karahi (£10.50) was dismissed for the usual reason, why start an argument? The chap sitting behind me did order this, I would try to keep my eyes open and establish how much of the offending Vegetable was present. In the end, the camera was playing up, I missed the presentation of the Karahi. Garlic Lamb Mushroom (£10.50) is also one for another day. Lamb Kadu (£10.50) struck a chord. I have not had this relative of the Pumpkin in the twelve years of Curry-Heute it appears.
You like Pumpkin? – remarked Mein Host as he took the Order.
I like exotic Vegetables – was the reply.
To accompany, Cumin Rice (£3.25) and a 330ml bottle of Sparkling Water (£2.50). Mein Host departed leaving the Lady Chef to deal with the throng.
The third chap present this afternoon sounded North American, he turned out to be Indian. When his Vegetable Curry and Bread arrived, he asked for another plate. Why, I could not fathom. When my Curry was presented in a soup plate, I too asked for another plate. This puzzled the Chef. Why add Rice to Curry?
The Rice was Cumin rich, I decanted around 90%, enough for Hector.
Three chaps sitting in silence, each having mid-afternoon Curry, a strange experience.
Lamb Kadu
My first thoughts were that this should have been called Kadu Lamb. There was appreciably more Vegetable than Meat. Initially I only found six pieces of Meat, my final two pieces would be halved, so enough then. The Vegetable content was significant, I had certainly avoided the trap of Meat and Masala only. The Masala was suitably Thick and decidedly Minimal, this is how Hector likes his Curry.
The Spice hit the palate hard, not a Curry for wimps. The Seasoning was below that which I seek, however, this may have been a function of the accompanying Vegetable which gave off a slight Sweetness. I was not expecting any Sweetness, I did not expect the Vegetable to be Carrot-coloured, or as firm as presented. When I have cooked Kadu it has always been white, and turned soft. I used to use it as an alternative to Potato, now I have greater appreciation of the latter.
It took a while for the penny to drop, this was not in fact – Kadu – but – Pumpkin – as the description stated. I had taken the Menu as written, and assumed that – Pumpkin – was used to describe the unique Asian Vegetable. Mixed through the Masala was a Pulse, either Split Pea or Lentil. This added to the Thickness of the Masala. Also unearthed, two small pieces of Capsicum, not enough to spoil the Curry, or the day.
The Meat was very much a passenger in this Curry. It was suitably Tender, however, it was not particularly flavoursome in terms of either Meatiness or Spice. After the Desi Curry of Bradford and Manchester, it was back to the Mainstream.
It also took some time for the Cumin blast to arrive, when it did the Aromatic tempered the Sweetness. Once all the solids were decanted, I licked the spoon. Only then did I get to taste the Masala alone, impressive. Maybe I should have had the Mushroom option.
The Bill
£15.70 No more meals for under £8.00, for the time being.
The Aftermath
I gave the Calling Card to the Lady and showed my post for the former Wee Curry House. On being asked if I had enjoyed my meal, I admitted that Thick and Minimal Masala is how I like my Curry. On switching to the – About – page, the rotating photos truly sparked an interest, she was audibly excited on seeing the Desi Curry. The stream of photos let me explain why I had not ordered their Karahi. I got my point across – Desi Karahi does not have Green Peppers!
Festive Menu
