Mela on a wet Sunday afternoon in Glasgow, not the best of conditions for the outdoor festival at Kelvingrove Park. So it goes.
We took in some of the entertainment before getting down to the real purpose of our visit. Last time I enjoyed a late afternoon Lamb Curry courtesy of Shangreela (Huddersfield) who were back again. This time I would try the same fayre but from the adjacent stall – Red Cherry (Manchester). Manchester Curry in Glasgow? It had to be.
Beforehand, as promised last week at G-RAF, we went in search of Babu – Bombay Street Kitchen.
Having been a mere eight days since we stood beside each other at the Glasgow Real Ale Festival, Hector was of course recognised. Marg ordered Vegetable Pakora (£7.00). With no seating at the van, the nearby fountain provided a suitable bench.
There was brief respite from the rain.
Eight pieces of Pakora for £7.00, not the value for money that is Delhi Darbar (Dumbarton) where up to thirty pieces of Pakora have been served in a single portion. (Not posted, but this number was reached on my most recent Pakora Takeaway.)
The freshly made Pakora at the much missed Akash (Helensburgh) has set the standard. Sadly, Babu’s Vegetable Pakora was way overdone, the outside giving the appearance of multiple reheats. The inside, however, was suitably Spiced and tasty. Not the best, it does put me in mind to make my own Pakora once more. My creamy Yoghurt Dip is also something to behold.
There were multiple queues at Red Cherry. Marg stood in the longest whilst I verified that the shorter queues were for those with Mela tokens. Who gets these? I could see no price list, how were they getting away with this? Annoyingly, Red Cherry was – cash only. Whilst Marg gave the Order, I was able to photograph the goings on.
The mountain of Chicken Tikka was the attraction for many. All the various permutations were on display along the front of the stall. This was a major waste of food. That the famous Manchester Rice & Three was present could well be the only time this has appeared in Glasgow.
Marg nearly ordered Chana Chat, I talked her out of it. She settled for a Meat Samosa and a Kashmiri Tea. For Hector, Lamb Curry with Pilao. The young chap serving first offered Salad on top of the Curry then a choice of bottled sauce. No thanks. There was no – foliage – on offer. Babu at least had Coriander.
The Bill
£19.00 eh? The young chap serving then reconfirmed what he had given us.
£14.50, however he brought £6.50 change from twenty.
Lamb Curry
It was chucking it down. Tables had been arranged under the supposed tree cover. We found a stehplatz at a table. With food in one hand and umbrella in the other, how does one eat? Marg took over umbrella duty, she could eat and hold the brolly.
I know nothing about the Tea or Samosa, there was Curry to be devoured.
There was more Pilau than Curry, here we go again. Suffice to say, the Rice had absorbed all of the Shorva from the Curry leaving a suitably Dry Curry, in the Hector style. The first taste confirmed that this was from Manchester, the telltale blast of Clove. There were no Whole Spices in the Curry. Apart from the Lamb, Peas were the only other solids, these were mixed through the Rice.
The plentiful Meat ranged from Tender to a bit Chewy. More Masala would have been welcome, with no foliage to add Diversity, this was very much Meat and Rice. Inheriting a chair, I had to eat as quickly as possible. Still the drips came, pouring off the edge of the umbrella. This was hardly in the spirit of – al fresco – dining.
Curry for the masses, enjoyable, Cloves aside, nothing special. I doubt if I will be heading to down to Levenshulme for more. The Manchester Curry Mile is not what it may have been. For Desi Curry, the Northern Quarter and Cheetham Hill Rd. are where to head.
There was Ice Cream to follow. The machine did not say – Taylor – or – Carpigiani – this was second rate Ice Cream.
Having parked near the back of the Kelvin Hall, we passed the former Banana Leaf, now rebranded as Madhras Dosa, the shutters were up. The Chef who has served me over the years assured me that as of next month, they will open at lunchtime. Their present hours do not suit my eating model, nor do those at the reincarnation of Murphy’s Pakora Bar. Having recorded the menu at both venues, perhaps a separate post is better than adding to the end of this one?