Before leaving Bradford, there had to be another Bradford Curry. The Kashmir Restaurant (27 Morley St, Bradford BD7 1AG England) reliably opens first. With luggage in hand, we descended the stairs at 11.45. There was no Jan today, instead his able colleague greeted us:
Are you going on holiday?
We’re in the middle of one.
Having got soaked yesterday in Hebden Bridge and Halifax, the rainy part of Storm Isha appears to have blown over, yet it’s still windy.
The rest of The Company are coming south today, updates on their progress were arriving.
Normally, the Hector would have Fish Karahi (£11.90) when Currying this early. As Saturday’s Curry at – JDC Grill & Chill – proved to be quite a departure from the standard Bradford Curry, I was still in the mood for the full – Methi Blast!
Meat Karahi (£11.90) was Hector’s order today, with accompanying Chapattis (three). Marg was having Samosa (£1.00), two Meat. A cheap date. She also considered a Mango Lassi (£2.25) but changed her mind. We should have time for coffee before the train.
A jug of tap water and complimentary Salad and Raita were presented. No Jan, no Poppadoms today.
We were the first diners of the day at Kashmir. The next arrival ordered Curry & Chips, I still don’t get this. The Samosas arrived promptly.
Meat Samosa
Two large, well stuffed Samosas were accompanied by another portion of Salad.
Lovely and fresh – was Marg’s opening remark.
We had a lot of Onions, Marg concentrated on the redder Onion slices. The interior of the Samosas looked grey as in a Pie or Bridie.
Full of Potato, Meat and Peas, these Samosas went well with the mint Raita and carefully chosen Red Onion, Tomato and Cucumber Salad. A lovely lunch.
And such great value.
The three inclusive Chapattis remain standard in many a Bradford Curry House. The traditional, thin ones, these I prefer. One and a half proved to be the limit.
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Meat Karahi
The karahi may appear modest in size, it was deep, and contained a mass of Curry. The Meat was cut larger than one normally finds in Bradford. The menu described this Curry as – dry – indeed it was. This was a perfect example of Minimal Masala.
The first blast was a Meaty one, not Herbs. The Spice Level would have been in the comfort zone for the majority, the Seasoning apparent, but far from intrusive.
The first minutes were spent wondering why I was not tasting what I expected in a Bradford Curry. The super-soft pieces of Meat were alternating with those requiring a bit of chewing. Hector’s masticating was being tested. Why didn’t I order Fish or Kofta? Like Saturday’s Curry at JDC, this proved to be a Curry of two halves.
Some of the Onion surplus found its way into the Karahi.
The thick Masala featured quite a bit of Pulped Meat, the bottom of the pot? Here was the mother-lode of Flavour, the Methi, the Seasoning here was remarkably more intense also. A Bradford Curry.
This Karahi was taking the Hector an age to digest. Marg pointed out how patient she was being. Not much appreciation then for her two quid lunch?
Eventually, finally, it was time to declare – the end. Hector now had a palate saturated in Methi and Cumin, success.
The Bill
£13.90 That’s all.
The Aftermath
Our chap had disappeared, no farewells.