Are you going for Curry tomorrow – Marg asked yesterday.
After a week of indulgence at Kabana (Manchester), giving the Saturday afternoon Curry a miss was a consideration, until the day dawned. The Hector still had unfinished business having been denied the Fish Creation in Manchester, the itch had to be scratched.
It was spotted recently that Madhras Dosa (76B, Old Dumbarton Rd, Glasgow, G3 8RE) could be opened at lunchtimes once again, this was confirmed by telephone. A phone-call, how gauche.
Arriving just on 14.00, Madhras Dosa was empty. The place has been tidied up and new tables and chairs installed. Twenty one could now conceivably be sat at this relatively small venue. But not comfortably, the chairs are somewhat lightweight. Still, it was better than being out in the snow/slush.
Chef Satheesh nodded in recognition as I took my seat. A young waitress brought the latest edition of the menu.
Still no Sukka/Chukka so a Soupy Curry would be inevitable. The standard £7.99 for a Tapas portion used to include the choice of Rice or Bread in the quoted price, not any more. An extra £1.99 lets the diner – go large.
South Indian Fish Curry (£9.98) had yet to be tried. Soupy Curry requires Rice, the Hector was not missing the opperchancity to have a Malabar Parotta. Basmati Rice (£1.99) and a Malabar Paratha (£2.50) would be the accompaniments. I passed on Sparkling Water (£1.50) in favour of a jug of tap water.
Another chap appeared from the back room behind the adjacent premises. It remains a mystery as to why the former overflow is no longer part of the premises yet the rear is.
A manageable portion of Rice was presented in a small karahi. Every grain would be eaten. The Malabar Parotta was as small as ever, tiny. It is how it is. Soft, layered, absorbent, a joy to dip in the Masala.
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*
South Indian Fish Curry
The Masala was not yellow, as anticipated, the gross – soupiness – was. As I decanted the Soupy Masala I struggled to find the Fish. Cut small, I may eventually have reached double figures, however, there was certainly not a lot of solids here. Green Chillies had been cut lengthwise, these were numerous, as were the fresh Curry Leaves. Onion Seeds were mixed through the Masala. One small piece of a Dry Red Chilli was located, this I regard as a sign of efficacy in a South Indian Curry. Keeping everything on the small dinner plate was quite a challenge.
The hoped for assault on the palate was immediate. The Seasoning registered first, then the Spice and finally the Smokiness. This was exactly what the Hector sought. Curry with a Big Flavour, not too much to demand.
The Chillies added more of a kick when encountered. Just how many leaves is a man meant to eat? I balked at the largest one.
The pieces of white Fish were super-soft, approaching pulp. No chewing was required, even a gumsy budgie would have succeeded here. There was little sense of – fishiness – such was the intensity of Flavour from the Masala. An inward glow of satisfaction was attained, yet this Curry was clearly the opposite of the Hector norm. Strangely, I did not make any note on the level of creaminess or the presence of coconut. If present, not an issue. How different was this from a Euro Curry!
The Bill
£16.00 Pennies have been abandoned then.
The Aftermath
I asked the waitress how long it had been since Madhras Dosa opened at lunchtime. She has been here a couple of months, so not that long then.
See you again – was her farewell.
It is time Hector reacquainted himself with the Lamb Chettinad (£7.99/£9.98) at Madhras Dosa. A Saturday lunchtime Curry, north of the river, and within budget; watch the number of visits increase, steadily.