At the end of November, the Hector checked out Sara – Donner Kebab (193 Allison Street, Govanhill Glasgow G42 8RX). More of a Takeaway than a Curry Cafe, the potential was spotted. With Kofta Anda at Sheerin Palace the fallback, I popped my head into Sara and enquired about sitting in. At 14.10, this was earlier than the advertised 15.00 opening.
I could see a tray with remnants of something with Potato behind the counter.
Curry, Lamb, what do you have?
Lamb Curry – was the instant response – with Rice, Naan?
Rice felt like the safer option in this new setting for Curry.
Your Curry is Desi? – felt like a somewhat limp follow up. How else could Mein Host reply? As reported previously, – Desi – is clearly stated on the menu.
Above medium – was proffered.
All was confirmed.
I sat on a cushion on the window ledge, not invading the space of the little boy who was being minded this afternoon. I briefly studied the menu. Lamb Curry should be priced at £10.45 with included Rice/Naan. Whether this would maintain for sitting in, time would tell.
With the Order relayed to the back kitchen, Mein Host did chat a bit. He had spotted me taking the exterior photo, and so I explained I was a Curry enthusiast and was therefore keen to try this latest addition to the Glasgow Curry scene. Well, maybe not in these actual words. An elder chap made the occasional appearance out front, the Chef?
Papa – was how the little boy addressed Mein Host. Clue #1.
Mein Host brought the food, – steaming hot food – an immediate plus.
Despite a Modest Salad occupying the edge of the plate, the mound of Basmati was huge. Clue #2. Cumin Seeds were mixed through the Rice – Jeera Rice. How much do Mainstream Restaurants charge for this?
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Lamb Curry
Minimal toppings, just a simple bowl of Oily, Blended Masala with Lamb. The Coriander was then mixed through the Masala, the Oil was partly absorbed. The Salad components would offer a welcomed diversity of Texture. I counted eight pieces of Meat, each one large and requiring to be halved. As ever, I retained a fair percentage of the Masala for the end game.
There was an immediate blast of Spice, the Seasoning hit hard too, then something else. This was different, unlike anything else served on Allison Street. Clue #3. I ate on.
The Masala had distinct white flecks in the mix. Initially I considered Yoghurt, in time I would recognise this white ingredient.
The Meat was Tender-firm, I had to use a knife to cut it, a rarity for Hector. The Lamb gave off a potent sense of Seasoning and in time the underlying Flavour which was still puzzling.
A Euro Curry taste – came the mind. Clue #4. Eventually I recognised the source of the strong, dominant Flavour – Garlic. On sampling the Masala alone once more, I was satisfied that indeed – Garlic – was the source of the intense Flavour. For those who enjoy a South Indian Garlic Chilli Chicken/Lamb, this Curry would surely be a dream come true. Personally, I would have toned it down a bit.
As I ate, so Mein Host came over to make the customary check. He showed me his phone – Sara Kebab Churrasqueira Ramada – Lisboa, Portugal!
Mein Host is Portuguese! Everything now made sense.
The Curry of Portugal has been celebrated in Curry-Heute since the first trip to – Madeira. Thereafter, three trips to Lisboa, and to a lesser extent Porto-Gaia, have put Portugal in the calendar for an annual visit. Next month, the first foreign trip of 2024. Having located the premises shown in Ramada, a northern suburb of Lisboa, it appears to now be an Italian restaurant. I had to mention – Rua do Benformoso – the axis which I refer to as – Lisboa’s Curry Mile. There was a meeting of minds, this is a special street.
On showing the list of Curry Houses visited in Lisboa, Mein Host must have been wondering who he was dealing with.
Are you from the council? – he would ask me later.
Meanwhile, back at the Curry, my final note – the Seasoning is right up there.
Having been given the Euro-portion of Rice, no way was this going to be finished. Once the remaining Masala was poured over, it was time to call it a day.
Did I mention the infusion of Garlic?
The Bill
£8.95. The Calling Card effect.
The Aftermath
I enquired about the tray of Curry I had seen earlier – Chicken, Lamb and Potato – or – Murgh Aloo Gosht?
More trays were produced: Khadu, Daal and Aloo Palak.
I verified that all Dishes listed are available in Lamb. The Karahi will have to be tried, but only if the offending Vegetable can be withheld. Sara – could well be the only Govanhill venue where this is an issue.
Sara – Donnner Kebab – Desi Curry with a Portuguese tint.
Who invented Curry anyway?
Update – June 2024
Sara – Donner Kebab did not last long. The wrong title for a Desi Curry House?
Curry is not served at Pizza Factory.