Wroclaw – The Indian Island – Certainly Better Than Yesterday’s

The Indian Island (Swietej Jadwigi 10/1a, 50-266 Wroclaw, Polska) was recommended to us by Manoj at Delhi Curry House (Kraków). His friend Rajkumar works here, they are from the same town in Nepal .

Marg and Hector arrived at The Indian Island at 14.45 to find all the tables occupied. Today is a holiday in Polska, the good people of Wroclaw were out for mid-afternoon Curry, the perfect time of day as Curry-Heute often relates. The young chap serving invited us to put our phone number in his book, he would contact us in some forty minutes.

Despite a lack of contact, we returned one hour later. The restaurant was still full, all tables occupied, or were they? A small, round table at the door, possibly used for Takeaway business, had no chairs. I made it clear that we were not for hanging about. Marg pointed to the small table. Chairs were provided, two of the available twenty six were unoccupied. The Hector was sitting almost as much in the restaurant as out. The menu was brought within seconds.

Mutton Tawa (Zl45) was something different on a Polish menu, a Karahi variant. Marg, after he enjoyment of Methi Chicken at Misa Hindusa yesterday, was keen to experience similar again. However, today it could be Methi Mutton (Zl45), the preferred choice of Meat. Hector most certainly did not seek a repeat of yesterday’s dire Lamb Madras at Misa Hindusa.

Basmati Rice (Zl6) was clearly listed on the menu, however, today we were taking no chances. It was confirmed that Rice was included with mains. Cue the opperchancity to go that bit further. I had seen the Naan by the time of ordering. A Butter Naan (Zl13) was added. A competitively priced 660ml bottle of Sparkling Water (Zl12) and a Masala Tea (Zl12) completed the Order.

I asked the young waiter if he was Rajkumar. This took him aback somewhat. On showing the photo of Manoj taken last week, the ice was melted.

Marg spotted a couple leave, apparently they hadn’t eaten. Rakjumar invited us to take their table. We were now in a much better place. He would chat with us when possible, and was full of apologies for not having a table for us earlier.

A family, who initially relative to us, sat in the far corner, were now adjacent. I couldn’t believe it when even more food arrived at their table. I had witnessed the chap in particular, gorging earlier. It was no surprise when a fair quantity of Curry, Rice and Bread was packed for Takeaway. Why do people over-order and under-eat to this extent?

Marg described her Masala Tea as being – an appropriate Starter.

Is this Hector writing his own – get out of gaol card? The portions of Basmati were thankfully in the sensible category. With Rice alone, we would have cleared our plates, Rice and Bread, no chance.

The Butter Naan may well be added to the category of – best ever! Large, just how large is lost having been cut into four. The long panhandle and the multiple blisters confirmed the efficacy, this was a Tandoori Naan. The Butter had helped make it both soft and flaky. The whiteness, butteriness and the softness brought – Malabar Parotta – to mind. I checked for layering, not really. This Naan was the best of both worlds.

Mutton Tawa

Topped with rings of uncooked Onion fresh Coriander, here was a typical Mainstream, blended Masala. Expectations were adjusted accordingly. The Curry of India is the closest I have ever found to serving – Desi/Apna – in Wroclaw, alas, it has gone.

The Meat count was into double figures, some pieces were huge. Rajkumar was over to check on our enjoyment. I hadn’t even started, the photographic ritual complete, it was time for the first dip of Naan into the Masala.

Yesterday’s horror story could be cast aside, here was Seasoning. Indeed, some may have found this level of Seasoning to be a challenge. Curry needs Salt! The Spice Level was – moderate – and with no sliced Chillies present, there it would remain. The Mutton was – super-soft – Boneless, of course, and gave no Spice or Flavour other than Meat back. I had to pour the remaining Masala over the Meat to ensure both were taken together, else the dreaded – bland – word would have been echoing today.

The Masala in this Tawa had plenty of Flavour, a potency perhaps. This was a Flavour I very much recognised but cannot describe other than the oft used – Euro Curry Taste. It cannot be down to a Spice I do not know, unless it’s what Nutmeg does to Curry. Burnt Coconut? But then it would taste – South Indian. My conclusion is that it must be something missing, or not liberally added. Cloves, Cumin Seeds, Cinnamon, Cardamom, come to mind, and dare I mention – Fenugreek?

The overall Flavour was therefore one dimensional, lacking the depth of Flavour I enjoyed at Delhi Curry House (Kraków) last week. At least I found one outstanding Curry in Polska on this trip.

Methi Mutton

The Creamy Masala made me realise that my Curry had omitted this. Ironically, I would have expected a Yoghurt presence at least, in the Tawa. This was definitely less – Soupy – than that served yesterday at Misa Hindusa. For once, the Hector did not have a Soupçon, perhaps in the knowledge that had it tasted better, I would have regretted ordering the Tawa. Hector shall have his Methi as soon as he is home, and the Curry will look nothing like this.