I feel as though I’ve been to Köln five times this year, no that’s Berlin. Köln is only four. What is certain, this is the last foreign jaunt of 2022, a year when catching up on what has been missed was very much the model.
Not every Köln visit this year has featured Curry, I’m still searching for that special venue. Royal Punjab has impressed over the years, but lacks consistency. At least yesterday’s visit to Anna Lakshmi did provide something that was not Euro Curry. I have scoured the city looking for the truly authentic. Köln boasts a handful of Afghani Restaurants but none serve Karahi. Kebap I can have anywhere. After Afghanistan I tried Iran, the lengths the Hector will go to to avoid Deutsche Essen. However, I will admit to nearly overdosing on Frikadelle in the last few days.
Zarathustra (Dasselstrasse 4, 50675 Köln, Deutschland) showed up in my searches, a Persian Restaurant close to Köln Süd Bahnhof, and a few minute walk from Barbarossa Platz. En route I passed Tandoori which too is open all day (mostly), one for the future.
Although featuring a majority of Veggie/Vegan Dishes, Lamb is on the menu. Online, I spotted a karahi with something that could have been a pancake in Tomato Sauce. This was close enough to Karahi to have me visit.
We arrived at 13.40 and were invited to take one of the reserved tables in the corner as one enters. Having done so, I noted an inner room beyond the bar. What goes on there?
Our lady hostess brought the menus then ignored us for some ten minutes. This gave plenty of time to find two Lamb Stews (€15.00) served with Bread and Saffron Rice: Bademjan – which features Aubergine in a Sour Tomato Sauce, and Esfenadj Alu – containing Spinach and Persian Plums, not Potatoes. I would take advice, but first I would show the photo of the karahi to verify that this was in the style.
It became apparent that English was not going to be spoken. Between us, it was confirmed my logic held, the enticing Dish in the photo was Vegan. Or rather, the formerly enticing Dish. Mushy Aubergine v Spinach, neither of these were up Hector’s street. Where was Kofta Palak when one needed it? I opted for the Spinach.
Meanwhile Marg was working her way through the Starters. Nargessi (€7.00) she assured me would be – scrambled Tofu with Seasoning and Onion. We ordered a 750ml bottle of Sparkling Water (€5.00).
When the water arrived it was quickly followed by a bowl of Tzatziki and two Flatbreads/Wraps. The Bread was delightfully warm, the Dip a welcomed surprise. With Garlic to the fore – very tasty!
I abandoned half of the Bread in the expectation of receiving my full €15.00 worth. When the Order arrived, we were both taken aback. Hand ups – who likes Spinach?
*
Nargessi
Marg says it was me who told her there was Bread, there wasn’t. Just as well I left some. Tofu? I don’t think Tofu is green, but I know Spinach is. Whatever else was mixed through the mass of Greenery on Marg’s slate, I shall never know. I can imagine the ordeal, even Popeye would have been tested here. Marg did well to leave but a Soupçon, the Tzatziki and remaining Bread were a respite.
This is what Vegans eat?
Esfenadj Alu
Served on a tray, the same Flatbread sat atop the Rice, this one not as warm. The Saffron Rice was no more than a crust on top of plain Basmati. Somehow Marg purloined this, OK, there was way too much for the accompanying pot.
The pot: this is what Hector ordered.
I have written oft for my preference of Masala with Methi/Saag/Palak, not a mass of greenery. This was decidedly the latter. The liquid was not a sauce, Spinach water. Mixed in were the pieces of Lamb, none that would be considered – large. I could see the Persian Plums near the base of the pot. I could tell they were Persian, they were wearing their skins correctly, unlike prunes.
There was no Spice. The Seasoning was non-existent. I had to evaluate this Dish from a different perspective, exactly what was it about? The Spinach tasted as if it had come straight from a tin and been heated with the cooked then Lamb stirred in. Spinach Water, not the best of Flavours. This could give you the boke. The Lamb tasted of, Lamb, no more and varied from soft to chewy to unchewable. Initially I wondered what the addition of the Plums was meant to be achieving. Only towards the bottom of the pot did the Flavour of these reveal themselves. At last, something positive, a welcomed Flavour.
I dipped pieces of the Flatbread in the Spinach Water, there was a Sweetness which surprised having already had the Bread with the Tzatziki. Plain Rice, Spinach Water, and lets not forget the mass of Spinach, at least the Bread offered an alternative. Had this been prison food I would be writing to the governor. I simply cannot understand what this Dish was about. The food was hot, it was filling but gave so little pleasure. These ingredients, in the hands of an Indian Chef, could have been so much better.
The Bill
€27.00 (£23.36) Cash – otherwise German bank cards only.
The Aftermath
I considered issuing the Calling Card, but as there was absolutely no interaction with the the lady other than taking the Order and bringing the food, why bother attempting further communication?
And so, the final 2022 Curry-Heute post from foreign parts. Nothing is booked for 2023 as yet. It remains to be seen how the funds stand up to heating Hector’s House for the winter months.