Porto – Chutnify Canteen – Not for Hector

Hector and Marg are in Porto, Steve too, but whilst he went sailing, we went for Curry-Heute. Last year, Hector reviewed two Curry Houses across the Douro in Gaia. Nothing in Porto proper had caught the eye as being worthy of a visit. Porto may not have the full range of Curry Houses which Lisboa boasts.

One year later, and Hector was making a beeline to Chutnify Canteen (R. Sara Afonso 117 105, 4460-481 Sra. da Hora, Porto Portugal). The Chutnify chain was first experienced last year in Berlin. Their Prenzlauer Berg outlet was a revelation, finally, proper Indian food in Berlin. With the opening of Punjabi Zaiqa last year, Curry in Berlin has become something to look forward to.

Marg and Hector set out on the Metro in the direction of the Airport. Alighting at Sete Bicas, it was a short walk to the Norte Shopping Mall. Somewhere within was Chutnify Canteen. No mall map was spotted, logically, food is served upstairs in such venues. Never have I seen so much choice, there must have been dozens of food outlets. It was just after 13.00 when we took our seats at Chutnify Canteen.

Here there was table service, Sona gave a warm greeting. The menu was provided. The Pork Curry had been scored out already. It is Hector’s belief that Pork Curry could well have been the first ever Curry, and cooked by the Portuguese. Hector was hoping for Telanga Lamb as served in Berlin. Where was the Curry on this menu?

I showed Sona the photos of Curry on Chutnify (Berlin) dedicated page on Curry-Heute. When Sona informed us that today, there was no Lamb, I asked about Fish. Not to be either. The wonderful Malabar Parotta, another highlight in Berlin’s Chutnify was not on the menu. On enquiring about the size of the Naan, we were told they were small. So why charge so much? That main courses are accompanied by Rice was not brought to our attention. To be fair, the small print at the foot of the menu does state this.

At this point I should have walked, however, for the sake of completion of the Curry-Heute Blog, it was time to accept the inevitable.

Chicken Kadhai (€12.00) for Hector, with a Butter Naan (€2.50). I asked if Capsicum was present in the Karahi, it was. It was agreed that this would be withheld. Spicy was noted after I asked for – above medium. Marg chose Butter Chicken (€12.00) and a Plain Naan (€2.50). A large bottle of Sparkling Water completed the Order.

We settled down for the wait, and wait we did. After some ten minutes, two small bottles of Sparkling Water (€2.00) were presented with glasses full of Ice. They had no large bottles.

Six fellow diners sat within view, others around the corner. Sona was being kept busy, but doing what? It was taking an age for food to be served. Orders were being taken, there was little sign of food being brought out.

In time I would see Thali but no Dosa. It was approaching 14.00 when our food was presented. On seeing the large bowl of Basmati, Marg knew we had too much. Sona offered to take the Naans away, we wanted the Bread, we had ordered it.

Jeera Rice we could have done without. A large portion, there was more than enough to share. The quartered Naans were small, peely wally, hardly risen. Not the quality of Naan the Hector seeks.

Chicken Kadhai

The Friends of Hector – are already celebrating this Curry as reported on a certain social medium. I suppose if I don’t have a Chicken Curry once in a while, then I cannot justify my considered opinion that – there is no such thing as Chicken Curry.

A Thick, Red Masala shrouded the Chicken. A Dry Curry, a positive start. The Meat count was into double figures. Big Onions rang the alarm. Then I spotted two pieces of the dreaded Green Mush. On decanting, more Capsicum was unearthed and set aside. Seven pieces of Ballast. So much for – Capsicum withheld. If I had an allergic reaction to Peppers rather an abhorrence, then the issue here could have been catastrophic.

There was a decent – kick – from the Masala. We had – Spice. I waited for the Flavours to emerge, Tomato was all I could taste. Freshly Ground Spices – I would like to know which, how many and how much? Seasoning? None. Apart from the Spice, what else was I meant to be experiencing here?

It was Marg who spotted the skewer holes in her Chicken, indeed, my Chicken had presumably been cooked in a Tandoor. Not Chicken Tikka, just Tandoori, so no extra source of Flavour here.

So what was I eating? Tandoori Chicken with Big Onions, a Masala poured on top and the unwanted Capsicum. This was meant to be a Karahi?

There are two ways of cooking Karahi, the correct way, and for that I post a recipe link; then there’s those who take the concept of a – Fried Curry – too literally. Kadhai/Karahi is not a stir fry. Everything that was set before me today was – wrong.

Butter Chicken

One has to accept that this Curry is going to be Soupy. Maybe it’s just as well we had the Basmati. Eating this with Bread alone could have been – splashy.

Chicken in a Tomato Soup, well Marg orders this often when Keema is not on offer. The Soupçon which came my way did nothing for the Hector. Marg’s Curry, Marg’s verdict:

A creamy, tomatoey sauce with pieces of Tandoori Chicken, nothing special.

When Sona came to clear the table, I drew her attention to the bowl containing the unwanted Capsicum. She blamed the Chef.

I do not blame Sona or the Chef. I blame Sona, the Chef at Chutnify Canteen and every Chef in every Curry House, plus managers who compile a menu, for including this needless Ballast in the cooking of any Curry.

The Bill

€33.00 (£29.33)

The Aftermath

Once again I showed Sona the Curry-Heute Blog. This guaranteed a photo.

We navigated our way out of Norte Shopping.

My words as we emerged into the sunlight:

That was shite! 

The Menu