Glasgow – The Village “Curry House” – Because Karahi Palace wasn’t open, again…

It’s Dr. Stan’s birthday! There had to be Curry-Heute. We arranged to meet at Karahi Palace (51-53 Nelson Street, Tradeston, Glasgow, G5 8DZ) at 14.00. For Hector, the thought of the wonder that is their Karahi Lamb had been planted firmly in the mind, no doubt, Dr. Stan would follow suit. In the drive across the Clyde, Marg was still undecided. For Mags, Aloo Gosht, she would confirm or otherwise if the New-co can reproduce the – best Aloo Gosht served anywhere – as she has declared for the last decade.

Mags was waiting outside Karahi Palace as was another chap. Once again, the shutters were down, and fully so. Chef’s instruction: if the door shutter is half up, knock and enter anyway, was not possible. The suited chap was waiting also. After his phone-call he declared a 17.00 opening. I wonder who he had phoned?

If Karahi Palace is no longer to be open in the afternoons, then please declare this. An evening opening does not suit Hector, and so visits are likely to diminish, as in – tend towards zero.  Only one man gets me here at night, a challenge.

Having invested over four quid for parking on Centre Street, we were not for moving the car. £3.20 an hour? Wtf? No wonder there are always spaces at this locus, a five minute walk to the centre of the city.

The three of us headed west, Dr. Stan spotted us and stopped in his tracks. He had deduced the scenario – The Village “Curry House” (119 West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA) it would be.

The young waitress initially offered us a somewhat cramped looking table mid-room. With long legs to be considered, we went to the window – voluntarily! The Lunchtime Menu (£7.95) was brought, unfortunately, this was not noticed until she had gone. It must have taken another ten minutes to secure the a la carte.

Hector and Mags last dined at The Village in April, again having found Karahi Palace to be closed. On that day Mags particularly enjoyed the Lahori Karahi On Bone (£12.95) whilst I had their famous Lamb Desi Qorma (£12.95) also served on-the-bone. With Karahi Gosht already imprinted, Hector was having this today, as was Mags. For old times sake – Dr. Stan was having the Desi Qorma. Marg went for the Lunch Menu: Vegetable Pakora, Mince Curry with the two Chapatti option.

Mags would have one Tawa Chapatti (£1.25), Dr. Stan Pilau Rice (£2.95), whilst Hector would negotiate a Coriander Naan (£3.50). Suddenly, Starters were mooted. Mags desired Chicken Chat (£4.95) whilst Hector would take the Dr. Stan route and have Lamb Seekh Kebab (£3.95). Lamb Chops were considered, but £9.95 for three?

When the Order was relayed, the Hector took the – Spicy – option. This came with a warning. Naan at The Village is usually served in bits, today I would test the flexibility of the electric pad. Whole – was noted, but only after – Garlic – was offered. The point of a Coriander Naan was to ensure no Garlic overdose!

A jug of tap water plus a 0.75l bottle of Sparkling Water (£3.95) completed the Order. This must still be the best value Sparking Water in the city.

For a Tuesday afternoon, The Village was doing well. I counted seventeen of us in all, plus the inevitable screaming wean. Mr. Baig, Mein Host, acknowledged us as he passed on the opposite side of the room. Marg took the opperchancity to present Dr. Stan with his birthday present. Just what he always wanted.

The Starters came in good time, however, that we were having these was eating into the parking.

Vegetable Pakora

Three large, not a bad quantity given this was part of the meal deal.

Chicken Chat

Again three large pieces. Well fired, this may be something for Hector to consider next time. Mags was impressed:

Ooh, … were not greasy, Chicken really tender, tasted just great.

Lamb Seekh Kebab

A pair, as expected, they did look a bit thin. Spiced in their own right, the accompanying Sauce certainly boosted this significantly. The Flavour of the Lamb Mince took me by surprise. Is it possible that having had Chicken Seekh Kebab more often, the Hector has actually developed a preference for these?

The Mains came after a suitable break. The three Chapattis were presented in a basket as the Naan usually is. Back to the land of Wholemeal Flour, these looked to be light, fluffy, and had visibly risen.

The Coriander Naan arrived on a flat plate and was served whole! So they can do it. Round, and with abundant Coriander sprinkled over rather than cooked in, this appeared to have been cooked on a Tawa not in a Tandoor. The Bread had risen but lacked the big burnt blisters. This was a worthy Naan, and way more than I would manage. A pity we couldn’t secure anything as good as this yesterday at Glassy Central.

Lamb Lahori Karahi On Bone

The sliced Green Chillies differentiated Hector and Mags’ Curry. A couple of Ginger Strips completed the garnish. With a sufficiency of Meat protruding through the Thick Masala, all was set.

There was a Big Spice hit, guaranteed by the extra Chillies. The Seasoning was decidedly – low. It’s possible that I still had the halcyon days of the Karahi Palace in mind when I tackled this Karahi, however, across the table, Mags was making a similar observation. She was also trying not to burn her mouth, such was the heat in the food itself. This is a good time of day to be at The Village, the Curry comes when it’s ready, it has not been sat waiting for the waiters to spot it. The Lamb was mostly Soft-Tender, with a couple of more chewy bits. Still, quality Meat.

Enjoyable as this Karahi was, the full depth of Flavour hoped for, was not revealing itself. Nor was the customary Village Desi taste. One is at the mercy of which Chef is on duty.

Mags: I enjoyed it again, hot, don’t want cold food. A bit spicier last time, had more salt last time too.

Hector had the Sucky Bones and a lower bone count.

Lamb Desi Qorma

Apart from being served in a different karahi, this appeared to be indistinguishable from the Karahi Gosht. The Flavour, however, would be markedly different. But as the Hector was not having this today, then one may look to the last visit for more tasting notes. Curry and Rice, this should be as good as it gets.

That was good, it took me back – declared Dr. Stan at the end.

I didn’t pressure Dr. Stan for a detailed analysis, it was his birthday!

Mince Curry

One can see the Herbs mixed through this wonderfully Dry Keema. With no Oil showing, this must be as fine an example of the genre as one can encounter.

Marg made short work of this. One was enough, so the extra Chapatti was shared with Mags. Marg immediately remarked on the portion size, her karahi was full. This was the Lunchtime Menu portion? Marg demolished all this and her enjoyment was declared. For reasons that shall unfold, there is no direct quote.

The table was cleared, Adam, the Manager, came over to ask the customary question. Here was Hector’s opperchancity to establish the true flexibility of the pads on which many a waiter is now expected to note an Order.

Extra Salt – is possible, maybe next time I’ll go for my – Extra Salt, extra Methi.

That today’s Karahi was not as well Seasoned as in April did set Adam off on stories about top Pakistani Chefs not making it in Glasgow because they cook as they would for a home audience, whereas the Glasgow palate is what it is.

But surely, the authentic Punjabi/Pakistani Taste is what the Hector is after?

I promised to show Adam, at some point, my photos of Desi Karahi taken in Athena. Alternatively, he may look at the link for himself? Now we’re talking Oily Karahi!

Marg noticed she was ten minutes beyond what we had paid for parking. Exit stage left. The remaining three happily stayed on to chat with Adam.

The Bill

£71.30    Seventy quid Karahi Palace could have had.

The Aftermath

Every so often, a classic photo opperchancity presents itself: Adam, at work, Mr. Baig, surveying his empire…

We passed Karahi Palace, door shutter partially up @15.30. So it goes.

On the bus across the river, so a Cumin Seed dislodged itself, a big blast of liquorice!

Mmmmm – as someone might say.