As reported at the end of last month, The India Club (Hotel Strand Continental), 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA) closes this weekend. Those who own the building have redevelopment plans for this prime site, the family who own the business appear not to have considered relocation. Whether the simplicity of the Fayre on offer would work in more modern/pukka premises, we may never now. But, never say – never.
As luck would have it, Hector was already booked for a three day trip to be spent in the capital this week. After a morning flight to Gatwick, and a check-in with Lord Clive and Lady Maggie in Crawley, it was up to – that London.
Arriving at 12.30, we expected to find people queuing down the stairs. A waiter in the restaurant asked us to wait whilst his colleague would see to us. This was the busiest I had ever seen The India Club, there were still empty tables to the left/rear. Alas, our name was added to a list, we should wait downstairs in the Bar, we would be called. An hour – was overheard. I have a booking – also.
Sparkling Water (£2.75) and other soft drinks were ordered. Minutes after taking the last seats we graduated to a settee. This generally underused room was finally being put to good use.
We were summoned at 13.00 and led upstairs to a tiny table at which three seats was a joke. In order to let the occupants of the corner table leave, Clive had to sit at the emergency exit. Fortunately, we were upgraded to the corner table.
That later arrivals were served first was frustrating, the Hector had to do his thing. At 13.15, success. Four portions of Bhuna Lamb (£13.95) and three portions of Pilau (£4.00). There was no Plain Rice £3.50) today. More soft drinks. Maggie asked for a – medium – Spice Level, for the remainder, – you can go crazy if you wish – was the instruction for the three portions to be shared by Clive and Hector.
Every seat at The India Club was occupied. I had considered sneaking back here on Thursday on my way home, but a table for one?
It took another half hour for the food to appear. The three – Spicy – portions were identified by quickly discarded slivers of Red Capsicum. How this was Pilau Rice has always been a mystery. Today, no complaints even though the Rice portion hardly covered the plate.
Bhuna Lamb
London portions, OK, the Meat count was into double figures, but a single portion always leaves one wanting more. A portion and a half does the job.
This was proper Bhuna, featuring a suitably Thick and Minimal Masala. Why do so many places get this wrong? We all noted that the temperature was better than usual Hot food – has been an unknown in my visits here. Usually, lukewarm rules.
Tomatoes had been cooked in the Masala, their Flavour, prominent. The Spice Level on my side of the table was reasonably aggressive, I knew Chef could be trusted not to go mad. The Seasoning was below the Hector idyll, but this was not subduing the intensity of Flavour in any way. A whole, Green Cardamom was revealed, the blast of Cloves took me a bit by surprise. This Curry was working on many levels. And Curry it was. The Tender Meat was saturated in Spice, giving of all the Flavours from the Masala plus its own. This is how Curry should be.
One of the best I’ve had in here – observed Clive. Maggie concurred – yes, previously they have been lukewarm.
Every morsel was consumed, the last grain of Rice. Same again – was tempting.
The Bill
£75.25 The first round of drinks was paid separately.
The Aftermath
I sneaked a couple of photos of the room. An historic day/week, with many here for a final meal. (If anyone needs their face blanked out, I can just about do this.) Is there an etiquette in posting crowd shots?
And so, farewell to an institution serving – Curry.