Mr. Manchester! – is yet another moniker acquired by this intrepid reporter. On arriving at Kabana (22 Back Turner St., Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 1FR England) at 13.05, Rizwan, Mein Host greeted me with news that three Scottish ladies had been there a couple of weeks back. One was a former colleague of Howard and also a former pupil of Hector. Howard’s name was acknowledged, the Hector’s not.
She wouldn’t know me by that name – (or Mr. Manchester).
As I ate, all was revealed to Rizwan, now he knows.
With this being a passing through Manchester visit, today’s Curry had to be – Karahi Lamb (£6.00) on-the-bone, of course, n top of the customary bed of Rice (£1.50). The – on-the-bone – kettle was in the process of being topped up, as was today’s special – Nehari (£6.80). Rizwan’s #2 was adding the Coriander topping to the Nehari, he almost insisted that the moment be recorded. I took the usual photo of – the foliage – also, then took my seat.
The water jug on the table was immediately replaced.
Sunday lunchtime, and the majority of the tables were occupied. Two family groups were present, an economic day out: five fed for under £50.00. Two adjacent chaps ordered Chips, wtf? Then Lamb Chops were presented, two Naan and two portions of Nehari. Well gone are the days of Hector sitting down to that quantity of food. As for the Nehari, the customary dark brown Shorva was not revealing any Meat. There was no sign of a Lamb Shank here. But then Kabana’s Karahi bears little resemblance to that served at Lahori Badsha, another favourite Manchester Curry House on Cheetham Hill Road.
Today I counted three new members of staff out front, wiping and clearing. Such is the conveyor belt of customers in the early afternoon, that the management of the tables is crucial. Then there’s those waiting for Takeaway, and the phone orders. Kabana is that popular, and today marks Hector’s #50 Visit! Only three Curry Houses, in Glasgow, have passed this landmark in Curry-Heute.
Rizwan brought two plates, one with the Curry & Rice, the other, a generous helping of – the foliage.
Karahi Lamb
The naked Karahi had to be photographed so that one can appreciate the – before and after. I started eating from the edge of the plate to taste the rich Masala before the meal was transformed. The Spice Level was already impressive. The Seasoning registered as a tad below the idyll in Hector’s non-digital memory of the dozens of times I’ve had this Curry at Kabana. With the sliced Green Chillies, fresh Coriander and cubed Ginger mixed in, the full blown Kabana experience was underway.
If there was an award, and who wins awards, for the best butcher supplying a Curry House, then Rizwan’s would surely win? The Lamb was incredible. One could envisage sucking it through a straw. So soft, yet integrity maintained. And having sat in the kettle waiting to be served, it had fully absorbed the Flavours from the Masala. The bones seemed to have three masses of Meat on each one. This was in addition to the boneless pieces. The foliage makes this Curry more than just Meat and Masala. Take one’s time, savour every moment, every grain of Rice will be managed.
Was that nice? – asked one of the wipers as I cleared the plate.
Glorious! – was the considered response, not – very.
I took a few moments to have some water, let the food settle. Apparently, Manchester has other attractions which keep bringing us back. For the Hector, Curry is always first on the agenda.
The Bill
£7.50 This makes a mockery of the Mainstream Curry Houses.
The Aftermath
I informed Rizwan that this was a one visit trip, however, we shall be mob handed next month. I’ll be back at Kabana, and there will be the opperchancity to visit other venues.