Lord Clive of Crawley declared that he had not had Curry with Egg for ages, this had to be rectified. I suggested that Kofta Anda is what he should have this afternoon. Before leaving Hector’s House, there was a mass cook in, preparation of the largest Curry for Carnoustie yet, more on this tomorrow.
We arrived at The Village “Curry House” (119 West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA) at 14.30, my second visit this month. Here, Kofta is available daily, I cannot think of any other Glasgow venue where this is guaranteed.
Marg would choose from the Lunchtime Menu (£7.95) – Vegetable Pakora, Mince Curry and two Chapattis. I suggested to Clive that he have the full Bhuna – Kofta Anda Palak (£12.95). He was on board with this, a Keema Nan (£4.50) would accompany.
Having consulted a well known and reliable Curry Blog, I realised that I have never had the Methi Gosht (£12.95) at The Village, well at least, not in the years of Curry-Heute. I have tried their various Spinach Dishes, hopefully the Methi would be in the same style: i.e. Masala with Herb, not a mash of Herbs impersonating a Masala. A Nan (£2.95) would accompany.
Jugs of iced Tap Water were provided, today, there was far less sense of bleach compared to previous visits to Nelson Street. Has nobody else noticed this?
For once, I read the entire Curry Menu. Unfortunately, due to ongoing camera issues I cannot yet post the 2022 version. I can report, however, that the price of the kilo of Tawa Kirahi, served – on-the-bone – has increased from £34.95 to £44.95. Don’t all rush at once. Once more I ask: who is calculating our inflation figures?
Vegetable Pakora
Four large pieces of Pakora formed the Lunch Menu portion. The Pakora was light in colour and therefore appeared to be freshly made, no double frying here. Determined to finish her Main Course, Marg offered Clive and I a piece each, duly accepted. The freshness was instantly apparent, decent Pakora.
Having completed our nibbles, Mr. Baig, Mein Host, joined us for what Marg would later describe as the longest conversation we have ever had. Price rises formed the major part of the discourse. Cooking Oil, without which there can be no Curry, has doubled in price this year. I had to mention the Tawa Kirahi. Mr. Baig explained that the increase was also down to the rapid rise in the cost of Meat. He had hoped to bring this back down again, however, the imminent rise of gas/electricity will probably prevent this. He did reveal his current energy bill and what he is expecting to have to pay next year. The number of customers needed to support this can be calculated, meanwhile he admitted that trade is slow, people are still not coming out as they did pre-Covid.
I cannot post the overexposed Bread photos. Suffice to say the Chapattis were substantial such that Marg only ate one. The Naan arrived in the same basket, quartered, impact lost. A decent Naan, but clearly not the feast which Clive had ordered. He loves his Keema Naan, this one did not disappoint:
Plenty of Mince in here.
Mince Curry
Served in a smaller karahi than when ordering from the a la carte menu, I was actually surprised to see this Curry not arrive on a plate. There was certainly enough of this moist, but not Soupy Curry.
A very worthwhile lunch both in quantity and quality, good value – remarked Marg –
Unlike the hyper-inflated Tawa Kirahi, maybe one should get here soon to enjoy lunch at this price.
Mehti Gosht (sic)
Behold the larger karahi! The Curry was topped with the most Coriander I have seen for a while. The light brown Masala was exactly how I hoped my Methi Gosht would be served. Clearly, The Village Masala had the required Herb added, it should not therefore dominate.
I decanted to the plate in order to establish a precise Meat count. Nine, one better than the standard eight, and most would be halved. A decent portion. The wonder that is The Village signature Masala now stood proud on the plate.
I was surprised that the first thing I could identify was the root Village Curry Taste, a good start. The Methi then kicked in, and soon a Tang which was another surprise. My last Village Curry was the Achari Gosht, today’s appeared to borrow from that stable, the Methi balancing the Tanginess. The Spice Level and the Seasoning were well judged, another fine Village Curry.
*
Kofta Anda Palak
Once more, the large karahi and the Spinach not overdone. The portion included two hard boiled Eggs, one egg is un oeuf at Sheerin Palace. Also, at Sheerin Palace the Kofta Anda (served Wednesdays and Saturdays only) comes in a Shorva, the Masala at The Village is much more substantial. I cannot say how many Meatballs were present, needless to say, with the Keema Naan, Clive had a lot to get through.
A Kebab and and Egg – is how Clive described his Curry – the meatballs were the highlight. Lots of flavour, spice level just about right. It was temperature hot when delivered. The hard boiled egg just made it more interesting.
I can see me back for this again soon, the Keema Naan may be too indulgent for Hector.
The Bill
£41.30 We’ll see for how much longer three can have Curry for this sum.
The Aftermath
What had been an almost empty restaurant when we arrived was having a wee turn. Good to see people out mid-afternoon.