Bradford – The Kashmir Restaurant – 364 Days Later

And so to Bradford. I cannot believe it’s a year since the last visit. Why did nobody say – let’s have a trip to Bradford – in the course of 2022? Bradford for Curry, Halifax and Hebden Bridge for Bier, always a worthwhile experience.

We arrived at The Kashmir Restaurant (27 Morley St, Bradford BD7 1AG England) at 14.10. The usual chap smiled warmly as we entered the downstairs dining room, hands were shaken, he knew it has been a while. With our luggage parked at the far wall we took the corresponding seats, around half of the tables were otherwise occupied.

The laminated menu was brought, prices have gone up some 20% since my last visit, an increase comparable to what I have observed across the land in the last year. Curry in a Bradford Curry Cafe has now crossed the £10.00 barrier. Poppadoms (3), Raita and a modest Salad were brought in a flash, as Curry-Heute campaigns they should be in all restaurants.

Marg mentioned – Korma – which she must have spotted in a part of the menu I wasn’t looking at. Was it a – Desi Korma? Apparently – Cream and Coconut – were quoted, so no. The – Pineapple – in the Meat Dansak (£10.50) interested Marg. Different. Hector was here for Curry only – Fish Karahi (£11.90).

Three Chapattis are included with each main course. Six Chapattis? – a challenge. If one needs more, they’re 50p each.

Marg asked if the Meat was – Lamb.

Mutton was the reply. Marg asked for – medium. On asking for – above medium – I was told:

I’ll make it -Asian style – for you.

I must remember to ask for – Asian style – in all future visits to Bradford Curry Houses.

Complimentary Poppadoms always taste better than those where ridiculous prices are charged. The Raita stood out, a fair wee kick in there. The Onions I would later add to my Fish Karahi. I like the added crunch of fresh Onions. We managed two Poppadoms before the Curry arrived.

Six Chapattis, between us we would just about manage five. These were of the thin, traditional variety, which I prefer to the Wholemeal. These are merely more than vehicles of transferring food from plate to mouth.

*

*

Meat Dansak

This is a new Curry to add to the list of all those covered at Kashmir. There was more Masala than I associate with Bradford Curry. The Masala was distinctly dark brown. With Herbs mixed through, it was difficult to identify this Masala as containing – Lentils – especially when one compares it to their Keema Dahl.

There was a visible presence of (tinned) Pineapple stirred into the Meat and Masala, Marg likes – sweet – and so this was right up her street:

Very tender Lamb (Mutton), in a rich, strong flavoured sauce, minimal, with characteristic pieces of pineapple adding to the flavour. It was a lovely rich gravy, maybe – earthy.

I dipped my spoon in the Masala, fine as it was – nowhere near as intense as was on my plate.

Fish Karahi

The abundant flaked Fish sat in an oily Masala rich in Tomato. This too was relatively – wet – for a Bradford Curry, it’s how they do it here, and it certainly works.

The Fish, which seemed to go on forever, tasted of – Fish! The Masala tasted of – Fish. The Curry tasted of – Fish! This should be bleeding obvious, so why can so few venues across the land achieve this?

The Fish Karahi arrived – hot – again something one cannot take for granted. The Spice and Seasoning were commensurate with quality Curry. This week began with a Tapas portion of Kerala Monkfish in Glasgow, which was tasteless in comparison to this. At the end, the sense of Fish had permeated every taste bud. This was a Fish Karahi, a Bradford Fish Karahi!

The Bill

£22.40    Cash only.

The Aftermath

More smiles from the staff as we departed. They know we’ll come back, but when?