Glasgow – Cafe Serena – Still on the Radar

Ambala was today’s intended venue. Forth Street was wedged as usual, and as we were forced further and further west to find a parking spot, the gravitational force of another Southside Curry Cafe took hold. Having parked easily on Shields Rd., Marg and Hector went round the corner to Cafe Serena (328-340 Maxwell Road, Pollokshields, Glasgow, G41 1PJ. It has been a while, over ten years for Marg, just the five for Hector.

As one who champions the Desi Curry served on Glasgow’s Southside, one has to question why Cafe Serena is not already on Hector’s list of – Glasgow’s Top Rated. In the four previous visits, the Curry has been enjoyed, however, the – Wow! – has never been experienced. In Visit #3 I did try to order a – bespoke – Lamb Karahi, whether the requested tweaks were applied remains an unknown.

We entered the empty premises at 14.40, Marg coming for Curry on a Monday is becoming a bit of a ritual. We chose our spot in what has always been a relatively – pukka – Curry Cafe. The paintwork looked fresh, the décor pristine. The table decorations were an added touch which created, dare I say it, an – ambience – which sets this place aside from my oft visited haunts.

The menu was on the table, would Marg have her usual Keema? Indeed, Marg was defeated by the sheer volume of the Mince Mushroom Curry back in 2011, but then she still had Rice. Marg surprised me by choosing Lamb Karahi (£8.50) and a Chapati (£0.70). The Kofte Karahi (£8.50), effectively – Kofta Anda – is probably the Curry which has impressed me most previously. However, somewhere in the back of the mind – Spinach – was calling. Undoubtedly, this was a throwback to Friday night’s Buffet at Tamashah (Crawley) where the Saag Aloo was the standout selection.

At Cafe Serena, the choice remains: Lamb and Spinach Curry (£7.50) or Lamb & Spinnach Desi Karahi (£8.50), an extra £ for the extra – n? For Hector, it’s always going to be Desi Karahi, however, I should have established the difference, especially if the Curry was Masala with Spinach and not the Herb Mash I was anticipating. The latter I usually try to avoid, but when – Spinach – calls, the voices have to be answered. A Tandoori Nan (£1.50) would accompany.

The placing of the Order created a dilemma. Mein Host, who has been ever-present on previous visits was as much back of house as front. A young chap was therefore out front, answering the phone, dealing with Takeaway orders. Was he waiting for us to go up to the counter? I asked if this was so. He leant forward across the counter to record the Order, Mein Host was standing behind, waiting to hear what was required.

Spice Level was discussed. Medium – for Marg, – Medium-plus for Hector. This raised a smile from Mein Host who then retreated to the kitchen, that was our last communication with him, a pity. There was no mention of – on-the-bone – or – off.

A couple came in for Takeaway, they were visiting Glasgow for the first time in decades. The lady ordered Pakorae and Samosae. The endings made me take note. I have heard – Karela – referred to as – Karelae. In these very premises, the Kofta Karahi is called – Koftae. I shall be trying this use of the plural out in future.

The chap asked what Cafe Serena was called previously. The young chap serving was not born back in the 1980s, the time period being referred to. Marg picked up on – Yadgar – being mentioned. He asked if we are residents on the Southside: no, we come over the river for the Curry. This pleased him.

And so we waited an appropriate time for the preparation of our Karahi. The music, thankfully not too loud, was not the usual stuff, not even Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan whom I have enjoyed here in the past. Prayer music, is how it sounded to my ears.

One of the display photos caught the eye, a round Pitta brimming with Salad (&Meat). This took me back to my days, years, in the Middle East. Round, thick, soft, Pitta, do they actually have this here at Cafe Serena? Nowhere else in Glasgow does.

Cold dinner plates were brought, moments later the Bread on one basket and the two Karahi. We were then offered Salad. A bit late.

The Chapatti was of the standard – Wholemeal– variety. The Tandoori Nan intrigued. Round, so probably not from a Tandoor, and with perforations to prevent it rising, why? The thin Naan consequently became crispy, far from the Hector idyll. Still, less dough makes a Naan more manageable, Marg commented as I ate. This was too thin.

Lamb & Spinnach Desi Karahi

I have to be in the correct mood for this, today I was. One forgoes the Masala, this style is a Herb overdose. The – kick – was there, the Seasoning was decidedly low, but then should one have the same expectations for this interpretation of Palak Karahi? The Bitterness from the Herbs tempered the lack of Seasoning, altogether – an entirely different taste experience. An entirely different taste experience.

The Meat was super-soft, columnar, fibrous, I no longer challenge the efficacy of this cut. I know this is Lamb. I took particular note of the heat coming from the Lamb itself, then the Spice and Earthy Flavour. Meat – giving – surely – Umami?

Lamb Karahi

A naked Karahi, no Toppings whatsoever. To see the Masala-mash sitting like this is quite rare. Tomato-based, one assumes, it was suitably Thick, inviting. However, it bore no resemblance to the on-the-bone versions had previously. I took a dip with my Naan, – fine – I recorded. Whilst I would happily have eaten this, Karahi Palace this was not. It was Marg’s Curry:

Very tender meat in a rich masala sauce. Plenty flavour and a good sized, fluffy Chapatti. An enjoyable meal.

Success then, but still not enough to add Cafe Serena to – Hector’s Recommended Curry Houses. I need to revisit the Koftae Karahi, and Marg the Mince and Mushroom Curry. Will Cafe Serena ever achieve the – Wow?