It’s a couple of years since Marg and Hector sampled the fayre at Pak Tikka Shop – Grill House (Sapfous 5, Athina Hellas105 53). Today being a Friday, it had to be. A well known and reliable Curry Blog has previously established that Friday is Kofta Anda Day at Pak Tikka, a treat to be enjoyed whenever possible.
As we entered at 13.00, there was a smile of recognition from Mein Host:
You’re German – were his opening words.
I corrected him of course, no need to explain why a Scotsman has a Curry Blog with a Deutsche moniker. Once he took us on a tour of his three adjacent premises.
We took a small table to the left. There were some customers, but supposedly fewer than at this time on other days of the week. It’s uncanny that Hector often seeks Curry at this time.
The menu was brought. Shockeroony, the prices had gone up, a whole Euro on every dish, or 20%. In other words: what I consider to be the actual rate of inflation. This modest increase also shows why the lesser paid do not want % increases, but flat rates.
A different chap came to take the Order, he brought two 500ml bottles of chilled Water. Kofta Anda (€5.00) with Bread was why the Hector was here. I thought I would splash out and order a Soda (€1.00) also. Marg was considering going for a third Vegetable Samosa (€1.00), the waiter said – two.
With fewer tables on the ground floor, I managed an uninterrupted view of the counter and the Bread chef, busy rolling out the dough. Soon, the waiter was assembling the array on the table.
A Salad, once again featuring two large Pickled Chillies was accompanied by a Raita. Today I thought the better of having the Chillies. The Bread arrived, a pair, light and puffy, what were these exactly? Turning crispy as they cooled, not a Naan. And not the wonderfully soft Pitta/Naan crossover I have particularly enjoyed here previously. Was this the actual Pakistani Roti? Whatever, they are not listed on the menu, and are inclusive along with the Salad and Raita. Fancy paying for Salad.
Vegetable Samosa
A decent size, two was sensible. By the time Marg assembled the Salad and drizzled the Raita, she had a veritable plateful, and all for €2.00.
Lovely, piping hot – began Marg – filling with a strong flavoured Potato which complemented the abundant Salad and Roti. I’m assuming Turmeric, it was all yellow.
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Kofta Anda
Two Kofta and one hard boiled Egg, yes one Egg is …
Kofta in an Oily Shorva is standard, but this was no ordinary Shorva. Here Yoghurt is mixed in creating a markedly different Masala. Some Ginger Strips had been cooked in too. The separating Oil was collecting on the left side of the plate.
Only two Kofta but large, I initially quartered each, the Egg also. Now I too had a plateful. As I ate, so even the quarters were halved, two of these Kofta were certainly enough.
The burst of Flavour from the Kofta took me by surprise, this was intense. Well Seasoned with a Cumin aftertaste – was recorded. The Masala gave off a hint of Citrus. I couldn’t tell if this was already there or was a consequence of Marg’s exuberant squeezing of the Lemon over the Salad, and everywhere else. The Shorva of course had its own distinctive Flavours, therefore when taken with the Kofta, created a flavoursome synergy and a huge blast of Spice. Once again, Hector’s throat was registering serious Spice. I have often wondered why the Egg features, today I may have come to realise why. The Masala and Egg offered respite from the Masala and Kofta combination.
Between us, we managed only one Roti, once they turn crispy, the attraction has gone. However, the initial Bread and Masala was also a pleasure worth experiencing.
This proved to be the perfect lunch. With full blown Greek dinners to be had in the evening, this was an elegant sufficiency.
The Bill
€9.00 (£7.61) And that was after the price increase.
The Aftermath
Our waiter was happy to know that we enjoyed our food.
It is pleasing for us to be recognised here also.
Sunset at Temple of Poseidon, Sounion