Manchester is lit in blue. And by 22.30 last night, the Glasgow team in blue reached the semi finals of the Europa League. Hector will not be in Deutschland for the next round, it’s two weeks too early.
Al-Faisal Tandoori (69 Thomas St., Manchester, M4 1EG) is the go-to Curry Cafe in Manchester when Kabana is closed. That’s twice I’ve missed Kabana on this trip. Today is the start of the holiday weekend, Kabana is closed. Yesterday, a combination of an IT failure at the rightfully maligned BER Brandenburg Flughafen was compounded by an hour’s wait for luggage at Manchester. Two hours were lost, too late for Kabana.
Al-Faisal has a comparable menu, that the staff do not interact is what makes it the lesser venue. Nor does Hector get the mountain of Curry served across the street. We arrived just after our noon check-out in Ancoats, a few tables were occupied, it’s never too early for Curry.
Marg’s choice today, a Vegetable Samosa (£1.00), Salad (£1.00) and a Pakistani Tea (£2.00). For Hector, the customary Lamb Karahi (£6.50) with Rice (£1.50). The usual chap behind the counter took the Order. It was difficult to tell if there was a glimmer of recognition.
With jugs of water and glasses on every table, no need to pay the €5-6 which has been the norm in Deutschland for the last ten days. The serving chap brought the eating irons and napkins. The rest, bar the Tea, followed shortly.
Vegetable Samosa + Salad
This was not the Salad Marg had in mind. Even for £1 she expected more than Lettuce, a few strips of Onion, and a covering of Raita and Tamarind. This was decidedly – modest. When the next customers ordered Salad and received a separate plate, Marg was not amused. The Samosa was better received:
Slightly soggy (it had been microwaved), but full of potato, peas and I think, chilli flakes, which added great flavour.
Lamb Karahi
How I have been looking forward to a Manchester Desi-Karahi, it has been two months. We could have flown home directly to Scotland, however, the flight price to Manchester was such that the extra night’s accommodation and train fare still made it the attractive option. Even on the holiday weekend.
Twelve pieces of Lamb in a blended Masala, sat atop the first sensible portion of Basmati I have seen in a fortnight. The Lamb varied from tender to slightly chewy. This was Lamb, which had sat in its own Masala, it had absorbed the Flavours, plus was giving its own. Simples, but yet too much to ask in the Mainstream Curry Houses who just do not make the effort. They are too interested in offering endless tweaks, not concentrating on offering the tastiest Curry possible.
The food was hot, something three Curry Houses in Berlin had not managed in the past week. The viscous Masala was not excessive, no Shorva, not Soup!
The palate recognised this Lamb Karahi as being in the Manchester style, but the Flavours initially felt a bit subdued. The Spice and Seasoning were – OK. Around the halfway mark I knew why I had come to Manchester, it was all happening, the Cloves must have been kicking in. The Spice and Seasoning had steadily built, any frustrations at not being in Kabana had dissipated. Then I realised something – no Foliage!
I had but a few pieces of Lamb left with some Masala flavoured Rice, it wasn’t too late. Sorted. The Coriander and Chillies added that extra boost, all was well. As I finished the last grain of Rice, for a moment I actually considered ordering the same again. Marg expects our traditional return from a trip – Spag Bol – tonight, better not.
Al-Faisal Tandoori, the reliable alternative to Kabana.
Pakistani Tea
The Tea arrived after Marg had finished her snack. When offered the choice of with/without sugar, Marg usually goes for the latter. Today it just came, eventually. Marg has now decided she prefers this milky concoction with sugar.
Excellent tea, worth waiting for.
The Bill
£11.00. We had calculated £12.00 including the Salad. So the inclusive Salad with the Samosa was deemed to be enough. Why would you want more Salad? If only the Europeans could take the same attitude about Rice.
The Aftermath
I passed what appears to be a new outlet for Curry in the Northern Quarter – Cafe & Grill Istanbul – on Oldham Street. In the daytime they are hardly going to compete with the established venues, however, we’ll see how late they stay open.
For those who have experienced Platform 14 at Manchester Piccadilly, today was another classic example of organised chaos. Even north of Carlisle, people remained standing on the soon to be defunct, I’m told, Transpennine Express. Where’s the Trolly Dolly?