Dr. Stan, Mags and Hector were monitoring events back home when the news broke. We shall always remember this visit to ‘t Brugs Beertje (Brugge).
Earlier in the day, Mags joined Hector at Restaurant Kulba Kabul (Wondelgemstraat 11, 9000 Gent, Belgium). Having checked out Afghan Darbar in Antwerpen yesterday, it was logical to look up Afghan Restaurants in Gent. Kulba Kabul is located in Rabot which lies to the north-west of the city centre.
We arrived at noon, one chap was already enjoying the fayre. The young chap on duty brought the menu. In time more staff would arrive, ladies, but there would be no engagement, a pity.
Karai van lams vlees (€25.00) was ordered, a meal for two with Bread and Salad included. Groene peper – was listed as one of the ingredients, I asked the chap to – throw them away. Cans of Fanta (€1.50) completed the Order.
This is real Afghan food? – I asked the chap.
The smile I took to be a positive, no banter.
This was Mags’ first appreciation of the difference between Belgian and British Fanta. When visiting Belgium, I am never far from a bottle of Fanta.
Two plates were brought, each with a pile of Meat and a Salad on the side. Two baskets of Bread also, not Naan, but something much more risen. Sadly the wonderfully soft Bread was not served hot.
The Salad consisted of an array of finely chopped Vegetables, the freshness was apparent. The Carrots were the standout, cold, shredded Carrot, mmm.
Karai van lams vlees
The quantity of Lamb was impressive. Sucky Bones stood out, this was going to be a challenge. The Tomato-rich Masala appeared to have been poured over the Meat. One accepts that the Meat and Masala can be cooked separately, that is how I prepared my recently successful Karahi Gosht. Maybe I was expecting to see less Tomato in an Afghan Karai. Only Chef knows how long Meat and Masala had been in each others company, I suspect, not long.
The Masala may have contained Spice, but there was no heat whatsoever. Had the – throw away the Green Peppers – been lost in translation? Green Chillies would have been welcomed.
The Meat was quite simply – gorgeous, superbly Tender and with the Sucky Bones, full of Flavour. Again no heat, but certainly Spiced. The Seasoning was right where it should be, still there was a level of subtlety. The Coriander and Tomato in the Masala were the potent sources of Flavour.
The Karai was not hot in any sense of the word, this was lukewarm at best. I could write the Dish off as being not what I had hoped for, however, this interpretation of Karai was quite a revelation.
As we ate, so the reality of the portion became evident. Given what I paid at Royal India two night previously for eight pieces of Meat, no way were we sharing one portion. But why give us two portions, without confirmation, especially when there was an individual portion on offer at €15.00?
Mags gave a few words:
The meal was well cooked, very tender, I liked it. The sauce could have been spicier, the salad was fresh. The bread was amazing, and the Belgian Fanta was fab.
Two young mothers with prams entered in the middle of our visit, acknowledged us, and made a comment of approval when they saw our food. That was it, none of the new staff arrivals or the chap who served made any further interaction. It was time to pay, and go.
The Bill
€56.00 (£48.67) Definitely the two portions then.
The Aftermath
The unfolding events back home pinged throughout the afternoon. I was still taken by surprise when the finality was announced.
