As has been the case on recent visits to Athena, there’s no point flying directly back to Blighty, especially when flights to Roma are so inviting. Curry in Roma, there are still a couple of Kerala outlets to be explored, but in this brief visit there was only time for one Curry, and that had to be at a return to Asian Restaurant & Pizzeria – Cucina Indiana (Piazzale Enrico Dunant 67, 00152 Roma RM, Italia). There is no limit as to how much Spaghetti, in its many variations, the Hector can consume otherwise.
We took the restored Tram #8, one stop west from Trastevere Station to Asian Restaurant. The chap, who I believed to be Mein Host, was sitting at an outside table at the foot of the slope leading to Asian Restaurant. There was a nod, thereafter, no interaction.
It was 12.45 when we entered the restaurant, two Italian ladies, this time not nuns, had ordered Dosa. The rest of the diners, ourselves excluded, were from the Indian subcontinent.
The menu had changed since last year, less iconic, more traditional in layout. Last time Marg had the impressive Fish Curry (€6.00) and Hector – Mutton Curry (€7.00). Flying over for a while, today Hector was having the Fish, but which Dish?
The Fish Masala (€12.00) had to be a grander Dish, but in what way? The young waiter tried to explain the difference between the Curry and the Masala initially being down to Spice, but then revealed the latter was a – whole Fish. Bring it on!
The beautiful Parotta (€1.50) was not to be missed, White Rice (€3.00) would inevitably lead to excess, however, there were two of us.
Marg enquired about a – small salad, Salad (€4.00) was subsequently ordered. To this she added – Omlet (€3.00). There was discussion as to whether – Onion – should feature in the Omelette, agreed. A 1.5l bottle of Aqua Frizzante (€2.00) completed the Order.
With plentiful, chilled, Sparkling Water, sold at an honest price, we waited for the food. First to arrive, in a great moment of comedy, was the Salad.
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Salad
This is small? I would love to have seen the large one. Whole Green Chillies, these might come in handy later. Whilst Marg was dealing with her plateful of Vegetables, the Omelette arrived.
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Omlet
A sensible size, it did look a wee bit of a let down compared to the – Buntersalat. For a reason she couldn’t immediately establish, Marg coughed, more than once. Here were sliced Green Chillies embedded in the Omelette! These were carefully set aside.
The Omelette eaten, half of the Salad was abandoned, there was more, and better food on the table.
The Malabar Parotta lived up to expectation. Stretchy, Buttery, Soft, multi layered, I couldn’t resist tucking into this before the Curry arrived. Magnificent, whenever, wherever, Parotta is available, I recommend it. Except Tanjore (Edinburgh), where they charge £4.25 for a single Parotta. The standard size of a Malabar Parotta is traditionally – small. Today’s was larger.
Fish Masala
I was almost applauding when this was placed before me. This was one helluva Fish buried in a Creamy, Viscous Masala. The sliced Tomato accentuated the size of the plate. This was definitely to share, Marg stepped up.
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There was a significant Spicy blast from the Masala, but no depth of Flavour was apparent at the start. This would change.
The Fish had to be tackled. A white Fish, served in large slices, the spine bones were removed from each slice, the rib bones would be dealt with as and when. Yes, Fish have bones, accept it.
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Decanting the Fish Masala to the Rice seemed pointless. Much as I dislike having to do so, I scooped the Rice and piled it on the edge of the plate. This wasn’t working, there was only one thing for it, make the dog’s breakfast.
Hideous as this may have become, this was how to enjoy the Masala and Rice, with the periphery being mopped up by the Parotta. Remember the Parotta!
The Flavour from the Fish was all one could hope for. Taken with the Masala, the combination certainly worked. Fish Curry, yet both Fish and Masala were clearly strangers. There was a tanginess from the Masala, yet no source of Citrus was located. One mouthful took me surprise, Ginger, the biggest single piece I have ever encountered in any Dish. Surely, fine chopping achieves more.
Marg reckoned she sensed a – smokiness – coming from the Fish. This I did not register, that I had a Fish Curry which tasted of Fish, made me content.
Ginger aside, the lack of Whole Spice made me speculate as to the the base for the Masala. Last year, there was quite a pronounced sense of packet Spice Mix, less so today, but it was always in the back of my mind.
The Recipe for Fish ‘Machi’ Masala has been available in Curry-Heute since its inception. All who have tried it have not been disappointed.
Marg was determined that I did not overdo it, especially when I introduced some of the Onion from her Salad. I happen to like raw Onion in a Fish Curry. When it was time to give in, I tidied up the remnants, didn’t I do well?
The Bill
€25.50 (£22.11) Or, half the price of any other meal had in Roma.
The Aftermath
No Calling Card, this was visit #2. We left quietly, historical Roma awaited.
2023 Menu
