Eventually, we reach the – summer vacation – albeit autumn. What is the point of being retired and paying premium prices? Greece/Hellas, is still suitably warm, however, as has been the saga of ’23, wherever the Hector goes, the rain follows. Last night, four hours of continuous thunder and lightning, Parts of Euboea/Evia are flooded, guess where we’re headed tomorrow! A couple of years back we did experience ripples from a 6.6 earthquake in Athena, whose epicentre was off the coast. What’s a bit of rain?
There shall also be Greek food consumed, this evening I had to complain that my Kleftiko was as much, maybe more, Potato than Lamb. There was a top up, but only after I asked the waiter what I was actually paying for. I had also made reference to the quantity of Meat consumed at lunchtime, and the minimal charge.
As has become the custom in Athena, Hector had Curry for lunch. Today, the fifth visit to Punjabi Tikka (Nikiforou 1, Athina 104 37 Hellas), this venue has been my project in recent years. After a Greek coffee in Iroon Square, we walked north through Psiri, arriving at Punjabi Tikka at 13.00. Our usual table outside awaited.
Two half litre bottles of chilled Still Water were brought as a matter of course. The well worn pictorial menu was then provided. Prices remain unbelievably low, though in keeping with inflation, they have increased some 20%, or typically €1.00, since visit #1.
Today, Beef Karahi (€5.00), which includes the wonderful Naan/Pitta crossover. For Marg, Seekh Kebab (€5.00), not the ridiculously expensive (comparatively) Greek Salad (€5.00) she ordered previously.
Our young waiter asked if I needed Rice. Knowing what was coming, Rice would have soaked up the excess Oil, however, there would have been mass wastage.
As is the custom, a very Green Salad and Raita were presented, this would fill Marg’s plate. There was definitely no need to order more Salad. The Kebab and Karahi arrived together, sensible.
Seekh Kebab
A wedge of Lime sat atop the largest Seekh Kebab ever seen. The weight of Meat, hard to guess, but one can see why this was priced the same as the Karahi.
Marg unearthed more Lime in the Salad, indeed, a veritable plateful.
I think my Kebab meat is spicier – was an early comment after Marg had taken some Beef for comparison purposes. This saved the Hector having a Soupçon.
Plenty meat, and easy to cut, spicy and required the Salad and Raita to make it a more appetising meal. To me, it was just two strips of meat, which is not a meal. Filling, I deliberately did not have any of the Bread, despite it looking fluffy, and appetising.
Indeed, we had a basket containing three Pitta/Naan. Delightfully soft, and hot on arrival, one wishes they could have been brought individually, at intervals, to maintain the sheer pleasure of Bread at its freshest. Alas, not to be, and the Hector could not manage even a whole one.
Beef Karahi
If anyone is immediately put off by the Oil separating in the karahi, then they do not know this creation. I kept the karahi at an angle so that the surplus Oil would would go to the far side. However, this was only possible around the halfway mark. There was a lot of eating before I reached that point.
Sixteen pieces of Beef, no tiddlers, and no bones, was the first count. This was easily the half kilo. How is it possible that so much can be served for so little? Sirloin, this was not. The Beef covered all parts of the Texture spectrum. The majority was Tender, some super-soft, and the two last pieces I tackled took infinite chewing. Fatty bits too, one cannot say you get what you pay for: sixteen pieces of Meat then felt like an underestimate.
More accustomed to Lamb/Mutton, the Beefiness took me by surprise, a fine change. The Seasoning was conservative but not detrimental. The presumably Blended Masala scooped on the Bread was joyous. Sliced Green Chillies upped the Spice Level and when taken in, the threat of Coriander hinted at the presence of Herbs.
There was a point when I though this could be a Beef Karahi without end. Where was this portion size last Saturday at The Village (Glasgow). Whilst the pleasure was undeniable, the intensity of Flavour might have been more. Seasoning is all. No sooner had I discovered the Beef Karahi at nearby Taste of India when they were forced to close, non-kosher employees found in kitchen, I was told. Today’s was not at that level, but the volume made it a significant, hence memorable, Curry.
The Mutton Karahi (€5.00) served here is better.
The Bill
€12.00 (£10.45) This volume of food, for two, unbelievable.
The Aftermath
As the Punjabi Tikka page on Curry-Heute needs updated for ’23, the opperchancity was taken to photograph more of the ready fayre.
A rarity, the rest of the first two days of this trip is reported in Bier-Traveller!