Barcelona – Haveli Restaurant – Impressive in 2018, Outstanding in 2022!

Barcelona!

How did Hector end up here? Those who have been following Marg and Hector’s travels in the past two weeks have witnessed Curry treats firstly in Athena and then Roma. It was all down to attractive flight prices. A trip abroad during the school holidays is something we thought we would not be repeating; why travel at peak rates when we no longer have to? The flight to Athena was irresistible, the fare home not. The afternoon flight to Roma was a better alternative, and so on. Eventually I found a price back to Scotland that was agreeable.

With time for only one Curry in Barcelona, there was the choice of a return to one of the three venues previously reviewed, or search for somewhere new. I chose to ignore a well known and reliable Curry Blog and start from scratch. Eventually I encountered the above photo posted by Amina for Haveli Restaurant (Carrer de Cabanas, 32, 08004 Barcelona, España). Spot the Desi Masala and the Lamb and on-the-bone. It cannot be coincidence that Haveli is one of my three previously visited Curry Houses.

We were the first customers of the day at 12.30. I had the Oppo at the ready with the photo of Mein Host from 2018. Today it was a different chap. A small table in the middle of the restaurant was allocated. I showed my photo to our waiter who then pointed upwards. Was he in heaven, or upstairs?

Next up it was Amina’s photo. What Curry is this? – I asked knowing full well it had to be the Mutton Karahi €10.95). This was confirmed.

Previously, I had suggested to Marg that she have the Butter Chicken (€10.50). Maggie enjoyed this back in 2018, when Clive and I had the – Mutton Karahi! The 2018 Mutton Karahi certainly did not look anything like the recent photo.

Medium Spice was agreed for Marg, Spicy for Hector.

To accompany, once again we would share a Vegetable Biryani (€8.95), plus a Tawa Roti (€0.70). Our waiter said it was too early for Bread, then moments later returned to say the Roti was possible. Finally, ordered two 250ml bottles of Agua con Gas (€2.50), and soon thereafter a third. Expensive Water.

I cannot help notice that at Gandhi 2, our most recent Curry in Roma, the Bread prices were ridiculous, the Water not. In Barcelona, the opposite holds.

The wait was commensurate with what we had ordered. Another customer arrived and took a table along what would have been a bar at some point in the past. A mature lady came in and took a seat near the doorway, a Takeaway? It was good to see that we were not the only people craving Curry this Monday lunchtime.

Vegetable Biryani

The waiter brought the pot to the table with a foil lid in situ. After the photo, he then stirred up the contents of the pot to create an even more photogenic Biryani. I concluded the Vegetables had been steamed in the pot with the Rice. Would this work in a microwave?

There was enough Rice for two generous portions. Carrots were the prominent Vegetable. Peas, Broccoli, minimal Potato, Cauliflower and slivers of both Red and Green Capsicum completed the array. The latter were easily picked out and set aside if desired.

I did so.

The large Roti was served halved. Of the Wholemeal variety, I was impressed that it did not turn crispy as is too often the norm. Raita arrived too, I think this was not touched.

Mutton Karahi

Ginger strips and the merest sprinkling of Coriander sat atop the Masala. As I decanted the Curry to my plate, so the efficacy of the Desi Masala became evident. This was a classic Tomato-based Masala. The Mutton was on-the-bone, actually this was the second time I have had Lamb this way in Barcelona, cf Tabaq South Asian Restaurant, therefore not when I had the Mutton Karahi here last time.

Normally, I would savour the Rice so as to establish its contribution to the overall meal in terms of Spice and Seasoning. The Hector was impatient, lets get the first dip of Roti into this Masala.

Oh yes – as Churchill says in a well known TV ad. This was it, the veritable Desi Masala. The Seasoning registered immediately, bang on! The Spice was not challenging, that would have taken some feat given last week’s Vindaloo experience in Roma. This Curry would be all about the Flavour.

The Meat count reached double figures, just. I was keeping back the biggest piece with the Sucky Bone until the end. The pronounced taste of Mutton/Lamb came over strongly, the Spices in the Meat were more subtle. Add to this the variety of Textures from the assorted Vegetables, and here was one of the truly wonderful Curry moments.

Back to the Masala, no Whole Spices, nothing been given away, however, one could not attain this depth of Flavour without the correct blend of Herbs and Spices. If only I knew the secret. I used the Roti to scoop up the remnants of the Masala in the pot – Mmmm. I knew I would have to abandon the Bread if I was going to finish all on my plate. Only traces of Oil were present in the entire Dish. Only near the end did I realise that I had but the two bones. There was still a lot of Meat shrouding the Sucky Bone, my final pleasure.

This Mutton Karahi was remarkable. I should therefore make more remarks. I’ll continue with – this was my Best Curry of the trip!

Butter Chicken

What appeared to be Dessicated Coconut topped the Orange-Yellow Masala. The appearance was significantly different from 2018 when the Masala was a brilliant yellow. The Creaminess remained, a feature of this – Curry for the ladies. Marg’s verdict:

A creamy and rich buttery sauce with plenty of Chicken. The Vegetable Biryani was full of Peppers, Carrots, Peas, and Broccoli which gave the dish a variety of textures and flavours making this a wonderful experience.

Having given this quote, there was a moment of re-evaluation.

Chicken’s quite boring you see, but this combination added to the whole meal.

As the waiter cleared the table, he asked the customary question. I pointed to my empty Curry pot:

That was beautiful, on-the-bone makes such a difference.

The Bill

€38.65 (£32.79) Note: €7.50 of this was for the Sparkling Water.

The Aftermath

It was time to address the mystery of – up.

Our host turned on the lights and invited us to inspect the upstairs seating area. It was at this point I realised, it was the chair he had recognised not the occupant. If so, then I deduce that Haveli has changed management since 2018.