Curry in Bamberg, once a bad joke when there was only Swarg and it were terrible, Swarg improved significantly, There are now an ever increasing number of outlets. One of three new venues is Saphir Sri Lankan Kitchen (Brose Arena, Forchheimer Strasse 15, 96050 Bamberg, Deutschland) located a short bus ride from the centre. Bus 905 takes around ten minutes to reach the Brose shopping complex, then loops back to the ZOB.
Taking refuge from the snow, Hector arrived at 13.15 to a warm welcome by Sydney, Mein Host the Chef, and his lady assistants. They appreciated that I clearly made the effort to come here, I was not a passing shopper. That I have been to Sri Lanka was established early in our discussion, and before the Tsunami. The Calling Card was introduced also.
Essen Wieim Urlaub, eat like on holiday, was posted on a board. This is why I chose Saphir today. After the exposure to the excellent fayre at Punjabi Zaiqa in Berlin earlier in the week, I was not ready to face more Euro Curry. Authentic Sri Lankan Curry would be a good follow up, especially if a Smoky Curry was presented, not one with an Coconut overdose.
Rice & Curry is how the food was advertised, I asked which was better Beef Curry (€14.90) or the Fish Curry (€13.90). I was assured I would enjoy the Beef more, and was the invited to choose an accompanying Vegetable. Hector chose Potato. A 500ml bottle of Sparkling Water (€2.90) was chosen over Sri Lankan soft drinks.
Having taken my seat in full gaze of those in the supermarket checkout, one of the ladies asked – how Spicy. In range of one to three, I opted for – three.
I can take it – I assured her.
Everyone is more charming than everyone else – I noted.
Sydney brought the Curry himself. This was different.
Beef Curry mit Kartoffeln
The Poppadom acted like a shield, dividing the two sides of the plate. A mass of Beef sat on one side, Potato on the other. Beneath was the Shorva infused Rice. On the edge, a Chilli Paste plus sliced Green Chillies looked menacing. When Sydney brought the cutlery, he told me he made the Paste himself.
There was no pretence here. The Beef and the Potatoes had been cooked separately from the Shorva. That there was no attempt to mix them was a unique presentation. I started with the Beef. A bit chewy, but giving of Flavour, Clove I could identify. The Seasoning here was below the Hector idyll. The yellow Potatoes had fully 
absorbed Spice also, tasty. The Shorva had all the Seasoning required, and so I set about mixing the contents of the plate. The Chilli Paste was eleven on a Spice Scale of ten. I took Soupçon after Soupçon of the Chilli Paste to bring the Shorva up to a level that suited the Hector palate. Few Chefs provide this option. There was something orange beneath the Chilli Paste, this I couldn’t identify, best left alone, especially if it was Coconut.
There was a hint of Smokiness coming from somewhere, Sydney confirmed that this was from the Paste. As a concept Curry, this experience was certainly different and nothing like I encountered in Sri Lanka. There, I had Curry twice a day for seventeen days, I gave up on Curry for breakfast on day three. What was served in Sri Lanka was the traditional Meat and Masala with abundant Coconut. Today’s presentation was therefore not what I experienced on holiday.
When I was down to my last twelve pieces of Beef, I knew that I could not finish all before me. The Potatoes were easier eating, the Beef more demanding. I restored the Poppadom to its vertical position and waved the flag at eight pieces of Meat.
The Bill
€17.80 (£15.58) My first card payment in Bamberg on this trip.
The Aftermath
Conversation with Sydney had been ongoing throughout my meal. This was therefore a memorable and enjoyable visit. Talking Curry, it’s a Hector thing.