Curry in Brugge is certainly under-reported in these pages. In the first months of Curry-Heute, Hector watched Taj Mahal come into being, it is going strong as observed yesterday in passing. The Curry reviewed in 2011 was on a day Taj Mahal was actually closed, the Hector refusing to accept – no – for an answer.
Accommodation in Brugge is usually overpriced, this year it proved to be more competitive than Gent, so here we are. The number of Curry Houses in Brugge has multiplied in the time of Curry-Heute, but one venue in particular has been on the – must visit – list for some years.
Any serious Bier drinker who has ever been to Brugge, has walked down Kemelstraat. Brugge’s, and possibly Belgium’s, most famous Bier House – ‘t Brugs Beertje – lies halfway down this side street. In-Dish (Kemelstraat 9, Brügge 8000 Belgien) is next door, therefore Hector has been aware of its existence for some time. With no breakfast on offer at the Ibis Budget, Dr. Stan and Mags saw Curry as being the logical start to the day.
We assembled at 13.00, Dr. Stan being already in situ and tucking in to a 200ml bottle of the distinctive Belgian Fanta (€3.00). Despite the outrageous lack of value, three more bottles were ordered plus a 500ml bottle of Sparkling Water (€5.00).
Dr. Stan failed to spot that Rice was included in the price of Curry and ordered a Garlic Naan (€4.00). We decided that this would be shared. The grid layout of the Curry section simplified matters. We would all have Lamb, of course. Dr. Stan has admitted that he hears a voice in his head when choosing from a Curry menu – don’t have Chicken. I wonder whose voice that could be?
Curry Home Style (€18.50) was hopefully – Desi-style. If so, then the Hector could be in raptures. Chilli Grill (Brussel) is the only Curry House in all of Belgium known to serve such cuisine. I dropped – Desi – into the Order, it did not appear to register with Mein Host. The Spice Level was then verified.
It is spicy – I was assured.
Dr. Stan opted for Lamb Saag whilst Mags took an even bigger risk – Lamb Karai. That we had each ordered a different Curry was good for this Blog. I had visions of a Creamy mass of Spinach being presented to Dr. Stan and a stir-fry of Capsicum and Big Blobs of Onion to Mags. Hopefully In-Dish was better than this, but this is Belgium.
Whilst we waited, we were entertained (?) by a stream of Bollywood hits. The music then took a strange turn, the introduction to one composition set the scene, the Great Plains: Indian cowboy music.
The three Curry pots arrived, accompanied by a big pot of Basmati for sharing. There was enough Rice for three sensible portions, and no wastage. The Garlic Naan was presented in bits, strike one. Thin, peely, wally, and hardly risen, I was almost writing it off. There were signs of puffiness and one piece had distinctly less Garlic, Hector’s bit, obviously.
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Curry Home Style
I arranged the nine pieces of meat, mostly large, on top of the Rice. The sauce looked like an authentic pureed Masala. This was way better than Belgium Curry of thirteen years ago when some horror stories were served in Gent.
Bay Leaves, and both Black and Green and Cardamom were encountered. Whole Spice, always a good sign.
This was indeed a Spicy Curry, there was an impressive – kick – which was not letting go. The Seasoning was below the Hector idyll, but acceptable.
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Most of the Lamb was found to be firm but not too chewy. There was a Tangy Flavour from the Masala, but not the depth of flavour from a Desi Curry, but this was definitely decent. The Whole Spices certainly added to the efficacy.
Every grain of Rice on my plate was devoured, a well judged quantity of Curry and Rice.
A decent Curry therefore, but after eat-Doori (Köln) three days ago, only something catastrophic would not have been an improvement
Lamb Saag
In Deutschland, as is written above, Saag/Palak is often served as a Creamy mass of Herbs pretending to be a Masala. This actually looked like a genuine Palak: a Masala with Herbs. When Dr. Stan picked out a five centimetre piece of Cinnamon Bark, here was the proof that we had the real deal. There was an early – Mmmmm – from the good doctor.
I enjoyed it, it was a good Curry, a spicy Curry. A bit short on the spinach, but plenty of meat. A good Methi flavour.
There was Methi? And not a Spinach overdose? This ticks the boxes.
Lamb Karai
OK, not a stir-fry, there was enough Masala to define this as a Curry. In what way was was this a Karahi? The Masala looked to be the same as served in the Home Style Curry.
Mags said she didn’t mind the presence of Capsicum, big bits too, and the anticipated Big Blobs of Onion. Neither of these should be present in a true Karahi, however, in Mainstream Curry Houses, this is what they get away with. The Curry-Heute Campaign shall continue – no Ballast!
As a Curry, Mags enjoyed her meal, but she knows what it could have been:
A lot of meat in the Curry. it could have been more tender. A well spiced masala to give a bit of heat. Went well with the boiled rice and Garlic Naan. I would go back.
Mein Host came to check on our progress, I gestured to my empty plate, he laughed.
Who needs words?
A lady came to clear the table, I asked if she was the Chef?
He’s the Chef.
Now we know.
The Curry today was better than most experienced in Belgium, not a difficult thing to achieve, but maybe it is such is the level.
There’s hope for the Belgian Mainstream? Times, are they a changing?
The Bill
€76.85 (£66.52) Nothing is cheap in Belgium.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was given to Mein Host, the Chef. I showed him the page for Chilli Grill, my favourite Belgian Curry House. I was trying to get across – Desi – once more. That we had all enjoyed our meals was relayed. Given the familiar locus of In-Dish, we may all return.
Mein Host is from Delhi, cue the opperchancity to show places visited. He did of course recognise Gulati Restaurant.
Menu
