Today’s visit to Akbar’s (573-581 Sauchiehall Street G3 7PQ) was mooted by Chapatti John to follow our recent visit to Namak Mandi. In the interim, Lord Clive of Crawley announced he was coming north, today we would be five diners.
Marg was waiting outside Akbar’s as Hector arrived for the 17.00 opening. John was at our tail, Dr. Stan escorted Clive a bit behind. I noted the poster in the window, a new addition to the menu – Charsi Karahi – available in Lamb at £13.90. It’s good to see this authentic Dish from west of Punjab being made available, one day. Prices in the new menu were up about 20%, so where do the government source their inflation calculations?
There had to be Lamb Chops, or Meat Chops (£6.70) as Akbar’s call them. Clive and Hector would be making comparisons with The Downsman (Crawley) who have set the standard. Dr. Stan would have his customary Seekh Kebab (£5.50), the price of which looked absurd. John would have Liver Tikka (£5.70), hoping it would be as impressive as when he last had this Starter.
Knowing that Hector was not for sharing, and not wishing to be left out, Marg ordered a Popadom (£1.70) and some Mango Chutney. I made no comment at the time, but this is a truly ridiculous price for a Poppadom which many venues are happy to supply on a Complimentary basis.
Today, Marg would have her Keema, both she and Dr. Stan ordered Karahi Keema & Matter. John kept to his usual script – Karahi Gosht & Spinach (£13.40), Clive likewise – Chicken Dansak (£11.45). So much for Lord Clive having a Bradford Curry. Now for Hector.
Roshan Lal has been Hector’s favourite Curry at Akbar’s over the years. The description of the Roshan Lal contains the offending ingredient, however, having this withheld has never been a problem. The staff today, bar the Manager, were all new. I had difficulty convincing our chap that Roshan Lal, a la Hector, was possible.
There was resistance, the Capsicum may already be cooked in.
I don’t want to see any – was the firm instruction. He went off to check, all was well.
Can I have Desi-Apna-Asian Style please?
All but Marg then asked for the same.
It is crucial that one asks for this at Akbar’s, else one receives a much lesser Curry. Only on my second visit here did I fail to communicate this, I did not recognise what came.
Marg would have a solitary Chapatti (£0.90), John a mere three. Dr. Stan, Clive and Hector would share a Coriander & Chilli Nan (£3.95). Three of us might manage a single Naan, might. Bread prices at Akbar’s remain sensible and reflect their Bradford roots.
The bottle of Tap Water was replaced oft. This water tasted better than that served south of the river, no obvious chemicals. It all comes from Loch Katrine, so why the difference?
Meat Chops
Four light coloured Chops were accompanied by a Soupçon of Salad. Only the extremity of the extremities were charred, I should have asked for cremated Lamb Chops.
The Chops were moist, succulent and gave off a Big Spice hit. The Flavours were intense, whatever was in the Marinade had truly worked. These were glorious, however, at the back of my mind there remained the – what if? Maybe I should ask for two as they come, and two cremated Chops?
Clive agreed that these Lamb Chops certainly rivalled The Downsman. I haven’t had Lamb Chops in Crawley for some time, the prices there became off-putting and that was before the current spiral of inflation took hold. I believe it would still be fair to say that Akbar’s remains much better value.
As I finished each Lamb Chop, so Marg took the bones. This is how all of my Chops ended up across the table.
Seehk Kebab
Again I ask, £5.50 for these? Truly, they have shrunk.
As always, Dr. Stan enjoyed his Seekh Kebab – Mmmm.
Liver Tikka
Hopefully, I will never have to taste this. Serve me Brains, Testicles, the scrapings from the bottom of the pot, as at Sheesh Mahal (Bradford) and I’ll have a go. The Texture of Liver simply does not sit well on the Hector palate. John was thoroughly enjoying his Starter:
The best liver I have ever tasted.
The quantity impressed also.
Two Dips had been presented along with the Mango Chutney. From somewhere, a plain plastic bottle of Chilli Sauce attracted John’s attention. Even though we were all down to the dregs of the various Salads, he insisted we try it. This was not the Sweet Chilli Sauce as served recently in Newcastle, this was the real stuff, with a definite – kick. Next time, I’ll have this with my Lamb Chops.
There was a suitable break between Starters and Mains. There had to be. It is rare for Hector to have a Starter unless they are known in advance to be outstanding as was the case last week at Punjabi-Ibrox with their Keema Padora. Hector has done well of late, and is aware that the next few days are going to be a period of Curry saturation. Maybe this is why there was so little consumed at the start of the month, I know what awaits.
The Chapattis arrived with the Mains. As expected they were devoured. Where was the Naan? The three of us had to wait to get started, our Curry cooling before us.
Eventually, and without a fanfare, the huge Naan was presented. They have to get the Naan right at Akbar’s else it wouldn’t work.
The covering was ample, the Bread light fluffy and with a sufficient level of dough to satisfy the Hector. We managed all but the tip/point, which frustratingly is Hector’s favourite part of a Naan.
Roshan Lal
I had time to study my Curry before the eventual arrival of the Naan. The small-cut Meat sat in just enough Masala. The Oil collected at the periphery in the time honoured manner. The sprinkling of Coriander was accompanied by a slice of Lemon.
The Lemon plays an important part of the Roshan Lal, in fact I should have asked for more. Squeezing the Lemon adds a wonderful Citrus bite. I decided not to wait for the Bread.
Bloody Hell! This was astonishingly wonderful. The Big Taste of Bradford Curry attacked the palate. The Herbs were full on, the Spice and Seasoning pitched perfectly. I started on the abundant Meat, so full of Flavour. This one cannot take for granted but differentiates the Mainstream from special venues.
With the Naan, the Masala was scooped up, so much pleasure here. When our waiter came over to ask the customary question, I had to tell him:
This is wonderful!
Why would people have this as described on the menu when this version is available?
I unearthed a cooked Tomato, this added another dimension, a Curry that simply got better and better. The Meat seemed endless, fear not, there was no wastage.
This was a Curry I could eat often, yet visits to Akbar’s are relatively rare. If only they would open earlier.
Karahi Gosht & Spinach
Visually, this was identical to the Rohsan Lal, right down to the wedge of Lemon. They wouldn’t would they?
Fantastic flavours – remarked John who had no problem downing his three Chapattis.
Asian-style made it just perfect.
*
Karahi Keema & Mattar
Sufficiently moist, and with no visible Masala as such, this is how an authentic Keema Mutter should be served. Had I not been engrossed with my own Curry I would have had a Soupçon. How could it have been better than the Keema which featured in the Keema Padora last week at Punjabi (Ibrox)? Maybe it was.
It has been a long time since I had a Bradford – Keema Mutter, well worth the wait – said Marg.
Why don’t we got to Bradford tomorrow? – was almost my reply.
Very fine Mince, perfect with the Chapatti.
Dr. Stan added: It was great, very spicy and plenty of it.
A lot of perfection so far.
Chicken Dansak
Tell me this was not the Balti Tarka Daal (£9.90) with some Chicken added. The Curry certainly looked like two Dishes combined. Clive was immediately taken by its dryness, this was far from the Soupy Curry that most venues serve. Not a Curry that Hector would ever order, but a long time favourite of Clive’s if he says it’s good, it must be.
That was fantastic, never had a dry Dansak before. That was marvellous.
It appears we all enjoyed our Curry.
The Bill
£99.90 I suggested we round it up. Nobody got it.
The Poppadom was £1.00, not as printed on the menu.
The Aftermath
Our waiter was well taken care of. We walked past the line of staff, everyone who visits Akbar’s is greeted like a celebrity.
