December, the Silly Season is upon us, time for sensible chaps to stay in on a Friday night. Marg, however, traditionally has places to go meaning that Takeaway tends to rear its head in this month more than any other. Takeaway, had enough of that through Lockdown, but hey-ho, there’s a new venue open in Clydebank close to Hector’s House, I have been waiting for the opperchancity.
The Bread at Spice India (133 Riddle Street, Clydebank G81 2DH) featured in Hector’s last home-cooked Karahi, a pity the oven ruined it. No Bread tonight, Curry and Rice, but what to have? Spice India Specials – everything is listed under Chicken Tikka (£7.95) with supplements for Lamb or Mince (£1.00). Is the Lamb also Tikka, not clear. The usual suspects are on the menu, plus the – Classics. Lamb Mirchi Masala (£8.95) – Cooked in a tangy chilli sauce with green chillies, extra herbs and spices – looked – safe. To accompany, Special Fried Rice (£3.00) would hopefully have an array of Vegetables.
Arriving at 18.50, the front door was wedged open, inviting, but cold inside.
Authentic Indian Cuisine – I didn’t see anyone that I would associate with India.
I relayed my Order to the young chap serving.
What is in the Special Fried Rice?
He didn’t know, a mature chap was summoned.
Onions, Mushrooms and Peppers.
Can I have it without the Peppers?
This was possible. I added the same caveat to the Curry. Off he went. Meanwhile, the young chap tried to record the Order. The elder chap was back to take sliced Mushrooms and Onions from the Pizza toppings under the counter. Today, I knew for certain that the Mushrooms were fresh.
Chillies are fine – I said loud enough for all to hear.
The young chap had to ask me what the difference is between Peppers and Chillies. Now he knows. During my ten minute wait, I watched online Orders pop out of the till. It still intrigues why peeps cannot get off their arses and collect, we are talking – local – here. Spice India cannot have been open that long that its fame has spread beyond these streets.
The Bill
£11.95
It was time to hand over the Calling Card. The young chap passed it to an elder, they both studied it, bemused.
Spice India is my new local Curry House, I have high hopes.
The Takeaway was assembled, Hector was having complementary Poppadoms and Spiced Onion, attached to the main bag. Five minutes later, Hector was home, and so was Marg, evening curtailed. Guess who had the Poppadoms?
The Special Fried Rice did not appear to have been fried. This was a standard Pilau, there was maybe not enough to share, but probably more than I could manage at one sitting.
Lamb Mirchi Masala
When I saw the container being passed over in the shop, Soup was the observation. However I was pleased to find a decent, blended Masala, this was Curry. Time would tell if the ratio of Masala to Rice would culminate in the plate being cleared. A modest sprinkling of Coriander was accompanied by slices of the large Green Chillies. The latter were a welcomed sight.
I counted eleven pieces of Meat as I arranged the Curry on top of the Rice. Large pieces, one could easily have halved each piece. Let’s face it, Takeaway portions tend to dwarf those served in many Curry Houses, the pukka ones in particular.
Tangy – is why I chose this Curry. Had Achari been available I would have gone there, alas, this was a close as. Note to self: another visit to The Village is overdue. We had Flavour, not a lot of Seasoning, and the Chillies boosted the Spice Level. There was a familiar undertone: The Clydebank Curry Taste. I ate on.
The Lamb was super-soft, Chefs are always commended for achieving this. The Flavour from some pieces of Lamb was more than just the Meat itself, the first half of this Curry was ticking the right boxes. Having travelled such a short distance, the core temperature was still – hot.
It was approaching half time in the football as I dealt with my own second half. The food was cooling, rapidly. The Flavours from the Rice were planting – Clydebank – foremost in the mind. It can’t just be the Rice, I’ve had Clydebank Curry with Bread alone, but not often. The more I ate, so the tanginess dissipated, and that oh so familiar Curry Taste became prominent.
Curry in Clydebank, it cannot all come from the same pot, surely? Theoretically, it could all come from the same kitchen and be distributed accordingly. Too fantastic to consider.
Spice India, competent Curry, but too similar to that which is available in nine other outlets.
The Aftermath
Saturday night, Hector was back. I was assured yesterday that – Till Late – meant 23.30. At 23.15, the place had been wiped down, spotless. The staff were clustered, keeping warm (?), any chance of a Kebap?
I was offered – Tray of Donner Meat (£3.50) – the leftovers. No problem. There was no mention of Bread, I asked for Pitta (£0.50). One was duly put in the Pizza oven.
There’s no point appraising the Donner, these do all come from a central supplier, it’s what we have in the West of Scotland. The Pitta was pathetically small.
All Kebabs are Served with Fresh Naan – maybe the tray does not qualify. It was late, so no gripes. But I do ask why we have to put up with this thin, supposedly Greek-style, Pitta. Check any of my post from Athena (Hellas) and witness the wonderful Bread served in Athena Curry Houses.
The Salad became buried beneath the mass of Meat, just in case one thinks this was not consumed. There was enough left over for Sunday brunch.
My local Kebap Shop, this is really what I hoped Spice India would become. Till Late – however, 23.30, not late enough for the Hector.
Menu extracts
