A day in Halifax with friends, various, concluded with the second Curry of the day. Time to have a full-blown Curry, a heavyweight. Arriving at International (40-42 Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1BA) just after 22.00, the first observation was the opening times have changed once more. Gone are the lunchtimes, back to the standard 16.30. As is written above, Hector has his ritual venue(s) for brunch. Maybe Karachi tomorrow for some Kofta Palak?
A mature waiter, and it’s good to see one here again after the succession of weans who have served in recent times, showed us to a small table for two. International was hardly busy, so when Marg asked if the wobbly table could be sorted, we were invited to move to the adjacent, larger table.
Poppadoms were offered, and declined. In the halcyon days at International, they would simply have arrived with an array of Chutney/Dips also. Tonight’s Order had an air of familiarity, the same as on our recent visits. For Hector – Lamb Nawabi Khana (£12.95), a Curry that is found across Yorkshire. Why menus always quote – 21 Spices – remains a mystery, I don’t think I could name twenty one Spices, however, the complexity impresses.
International maintains the Bradford tradition of inclusive (3) Chapattis, (2) Roti, Rice or Naan. For reasons which no waiter has ever explained, if one orders say a Garlic Naan (£3.50), one forfeits the Plain Naan (£2.95). So it goes.
Lamb Chops (£7.95) for Marg. Marg knows what to expect here, she also asked that these be served at the same time as my Nawabi Khana.
Another waiter approached, he offered Poppadoms, again declined. We did see piles of Poppadoms being taken to subsequent diners. The young waiter, who had been cleaning the laminated menus as we arrived, had finished his task. He too approached, again, Poppadoms were declined. International must be making megabucks on Poppadoms etc.
Lamb Chops
Records show that a Lamb Chops portion at International was five, tonight – four. They were appreciably larger than most, so still a decent portion. Suitably cremated in the correct places, these Chops were enticing. Hector was not tempted, eating Curry-Heute #2 would be challenge enough.
Meaty – and – succulent – was the cry from across the table. Still the Hector was not tempted.
The Naan was perfect. Served whole, it had risen, displayed burnt blisters, was light and puffy, and might even have been cooked in a Tandoor! There, it can happen.
More than a Hector could manage, Marg was willing to help out latterly.
*
*
Lamb Nawabi Khana
Behold the mountain of Meat! The Masala was Minimal, the ratio of Meat to Masala that works so well in Bradford Curry.
There was a big blast of both Clove and Methi, classic Bradford Curry. The Spice Level was noted then revised upwards, it kept growing. The Seasoning was such, the – Wow! – was instantaneous. Wonderful.
The concern: how to manage all that sat before me. The first half of the Curry was accompanied by Naan, thereafter, I could only visit the Bread basket sparingly. Meat Curry twice on one day, maybe the Hector is not ready for that yet? And all because I chose Fish last night at Sultans.
The Meat was delightfully soft, chewing was required, a realistic amount of effort. The Meat was saturated in Spice, so much Flavour coming back here, the complexity was apparent. Maybe I couldn’t verify twenty one Spices, but I have cooked enough Curry to know when I may have gone overboard.
Two wedges of half-cooked Tomato sat in the mix. I ate one early on, this too was giving back so much. I resolved to leave the other piece to the end. Marg had her eyes on it. Indeed, Marg could sense the extent to which I was struggling, Lamb Nawabi Khana was crossing the table, and there was no outburst re the Spice Level. Maybe – Lisboa – has finally killed this?
The final mouthfuls were made all the more difficult by the palate becoming contaminated with something airborne. Was it the cleaning fluid used to wipe the menus? A puff of smoke revealed the lighting of Joss sticks. This aromatic deposit on the palate, I could have done without.
A mountain of Meat, between us, the karahi was emptied. Compared to the portion at Sultans yesterday, the obvious does not have to be written.
Our original waiter eventually came to check on our progress. The positive replies were what he wanted to hear. International went through some sticky years, this generation have got it back to its best.
The Bill
£20.90 I did have to challenge what looked like a charge for drinks. A stray Irn Bru had somehow been allocated to us. Not only the Scots drink Irn Bru.
The Aftermath
It felt strange leaving before midnight. Back in the day, one didn’t come here until the small hours.