Finding Curry in Gent on a Tuesday evening, how difficult can it be? Eventually, I was well fed at Royal India (Donkersteeg 19, 9000 Gent, Belgium) but this was actually my fourth choice.
Punjab Tandoori (Sleepstraat 67, 9000 Gent, Belgium) have previously served a Lamb Karahi worthy of the Hector, this was therefore choice of venue #1. Arriving just before 18.00 they should have been open, however, I have had issues here in the past about not being open as advertised, particularly at lunchtime. The opening times are on the door, so what was happening? Hector Holmes sprung into action, I phoned, and got an answer. There was no convincing explanation as to why Punjab Tandoori was closed. I was assured they would be open tomorrow, but Antwerpen is calling. Thursday? No guarantee.
Having been to the two nearest venues to Punjab Tandoori and not been that impressed, I decided to schlep to Mission Masala – Gent (Bij Sint-Jacobs 19, 9000 Gent, Belgium). What a mistake to make.
The other customers were sat through the back, I was shown to a table front of house. The menu was brought, one side food, the other drinks. A – sharing menu – but I am only one. Hang on, there was something missing from the menu, Curry! I asked the young waiter – where’s the Curry? Being only his second day on the job, he did not understand my question, he fetched his boss.
Lamb Kofta Curry was mentioned in the Mission Menu (€69.50), that was it. What is Desi Pulpo (€15.00) about? Rubbery Indian Cuisine? This and other Dishes mentioned Butter, there was no sign of an actual – Masala – in the rest of the Fayre. The description for Oh My Gobi (€9.50) reads like an abuse of Cauliflower, and belongs on another menu.
Where’s the Curry? – I asked the Boss.
We do fusion food – was the reply.
Fusion food my arse, no I didn’t say that. I have previously written about the ever growing number of Tapas venues, at least they serve Curry. This was just sh*te, an abomination of a menu.
Your menu is garbage – I did say – good luck.
For the second time in as many months, Hector walked out of an Indian Restaurant that had no – Curry.
Mission Masala is not a Curry House. I thought Google Maps, and hence the general public, should be made aware. My simple one liner received an almost immediate response. I added a bit more, time will tell if this gets published on Google, but it is here.
*
Next, Taste of India – Gent (Donkerstateeg 11, 9000 Gent, Belgium), closed. To be fair, even Google shows them closed on Tuesdays. The menu looks quite decent, maybe one for the future. Fortunately, it was only a few doors down to Royal India, where I was greeted outside by the chap who would turn out to be the husband of Mein Hostess.
Royal India was stowed, well it would be, where else in Gent can you get a Curry-Heute? I was asked if I didn’t mind going upstairs. Here I had the room to myself, though others were brought up before being taken back downstairs as tables became available.
A young waiter brought the menu, a litre bottle of Sparkling Water (€6.50) felt like a good deal. The Lamb Dishes looked on the expensive side, but Rice was included, so no Jeera Rice (€4.00) would come my way. Lamb Rogan Josh (€20.00) was Hector’s choice.
#14? – asked the waiter.
No, #10!
Spicy – was agreed, the chap from outside made an appearance upstairs, he too verified – Spicy. Do the citizens of Gent not eat Spicy Curry? Another waiter also confirmed #10, and Spicy.
I was asked where I was from, as the husband of Mein Hostess took a seat with a friend across the room. There was a sense of – I told you.
The Rice portion was sensible, manageable, every grain would be eaten. No Euro wastage tonight. The chap asked why I hadn’t ordered Naan, that would have been a waste. He brought a small dish of – something very Spicy – just in case. Sitting in a private room, Hector was being well looked after.
Lamb Rogan Josh
I counted seven decent sized pieces, plus a tiddler, as I arranged the Meat on the Rice. The Masala was that of a classic Curry, blended with an oily sheen. The actual quantity of Oil was minimal.
The Lamb was suitably Tender and gave a – kick – back when eating. For the price charged, some more pieces would have been welcomed.
The Masala lacked Seasoning, finding Flavour was proving to be a challenge, but things would improve. The prevalent – Euro-Curry Taste – at least had been avoided. Although the Spice Level was acceptable, it was time to try the dangerous Side. Super Spicy Pickle – is what I noted, it might even have had a Horseradish base, I knew that care had to be taken here.
This certainly livened things up, somehow, I had much more Flavour in the Curry overall. The tip of my tongue may have been tingling, the remainder of my taste-buds were not tarnished. Things settled down, this Curry was proving to be enjoyable.
When I describe this Curry as – Mainstream – this is quite a compliment. In the early days of Curry-Heute I had some decidedly bland, Soupy Curry served to me in Belgium. Blandness seemed almost mandatory. If Royal India is representative of the current Belgian Curry scene, maybe things are improving.
The Bill
€24.00 (£20.66) Paid by, card, downstairs.
The Aftermath
I had already given the Calling Card to the chap towards the end of my meal. He was ready to chat some more when I went downstairs to pay. He too was disparaging about Mission Masala, and worryingly thinks Punjab Tandoori may go out of business. Well if they don’t open their doors, that is inevitable.
Finally, I was introduced to the Lady, his charming wife and owner. A memorable visit, as a solo diner I was certainly looked after. The Curry wasn’t too shabby either.
Royal India : Menu extracts
