Kostas is in London! This historic occasion had to be marked, we would rendezvous later. Hector flew south early this morning to Gatwick. Despite my spending last week with Lord Clive and Lady Maggie of Crawley in Lisboa, they were happy to host the Hector.
Having taken different routes from Crawley to Wandsworth earlier this year, Clive had come up with a third, and hopefully more efficient, one: train to Clapham Junction, bus to Tooting Bec. This worked smoothly, though we were left with the substantial walk from Tooting Bec towards Tooting Broadway. We did get to marvel at Daily Fresh Naan. Naans of every description, imagine having this on your doorstep!
On the train journey, there was time to study various menus, Dawat Tooting (256-258 Upper Tooting Rd, London SW17 0DN England) became the venue of choice, directly across the street from Tooting Curry #1 at Lahore Karahi.
Arriving at 13.00 on this Coronation Bank Holiday Monday, Dawat was stowed. We were led to a table at the rear of the restaurant, only a few tables on the raised dias remained. Families, groups, everyone was here for – Curry.
We had already agreed that today, we would – do the kilo. Dawat Special Charsi Lamb Karahi (£29.99) is good value. £19.99 for the half kilo is most certainly not.
Maggie, as ever, was concerned that the Karahi might be – too Spicy. I thought we had buried that in Lisboa? I assured here that nowhere serves Karahi that is going to be OTT. Well, until I discover otherwise.
Desi-Apna – was mentioned to the waiter, to ensure we were having the authentic Karahi. He consequently confirmed – on-the-bone.
Bread for Maggie, Hector and Clive: Chappati (£1.49), Chili Naan (£2.25) and Keema Naan (£4.99) respectively. That must be a lot of Keema.
A large bottle of water (£2.49) was already on the table. Having accepted this, it was somewhat annoying to see a jug of tap water being brought to another table. No ice was offered by the waiter, a Modest Salad and bottle of sauce did mark the completion of the Order. Maggie did remark on the poverty of the Salad, I explained the term – Modest.
The small print says a thirty minute wait, the Karahi and Chapatti arrived in twenty minutes, it took another five for the Naans, Maggie got torn in first.
Dawat Special Charsi Lamb Karahi
The sliced Bullet Chillies did cause Maggie concern, I assured here these were not as potent as the more common Finger Chillies.
Maggie’s verdict:
Meat was tender, not too spicy. Tomato, Coriander, Bullet Chillies visible. Enough, better than I thought due to industrial nature of the place.
Clive: The meat was extremely tender, not too many bones.
It appears that this Charsi Karahi lived up to expectations.
Served on a flat karahi, the Coriander Topping was minimal. No Ginger? The Meat count reach around thirty. The reddish Masala, Tomato-based as I observed it, was appropriately Minimal. There was an Oily base rather than the collection of peripheral Oil. 
Once Maggie had taken her helping, she drew a line in the Masala, suddenly a kilo did not feel like a challenge. There would be enough for three, just.
The kick was decent, only by combining with the Chillies could this have caused a normal person discomfort. Clive had the only Sucky Bone, and as he realised, the bone count was not excessive. Most of the Lamb was Tender, some pieces inevitably required more chewing. The Tomatoey – Charsi – Flavour was present, so authentic Karahi. My only issue was with the Seasoning, or lack thereof. However, this could be a Lisboa Curry hangover. No – Wow! – today, yet so many last week.
Served whole, the Wholemeal Chapatti had air pockets on arrival: hot, and well cooked. The Chilli Naan had the required puffiness, however, the pock marks created by the embedded Chillies took it towards – Roghni – therefore a bit thin in parts. How did I miss the Methi Naan (£2.49)?
All but a scrap of the Keema Naan was eaten. Well fired, and coated with Sesame Seeds, as ever, Hector was keen to see the interior. The Curry-Heute Test was failed. This Keema Naan had the slabs of pink meat resembling – Donner – rather than discrete grains of Mince, which is the expected standard.
That I ate all confirms the Naan was a sensible size and sharing a kilo with three is not a challenge. Oh dear, Hector’s brain is working overtime, what’s next?
Dr. Bernard may have insisted I come to Tooting for Curry, I should insist that he goes to Lisboa. In the meantime, people now tell me I have to go to Southall.
The Bill
£41.21 For three diners, no complaints, well maybe the presumptive water.
The Aftermath
Having seen the manager throughout our visit, he had vanished at the point of payment. The Calling Card was given to a young member of staff. As I returned to my seat, so the manager reappeared. The Calling Card was examined, briefly. So it goes.
Menu extracts
