Having read review #1 of the Desi Lamb (£11.95) as served at Chimes of India(914-916 Sauchiehall Street, Finnieston, Glasgow G3 7 TF), it was a given that Alan would be keen to try it. Tonight, Hector was here to discover more about the menu, Masala Fish Curry (£14.95) was on the radar. Masala Fish, hopefully I would learn more, and there was always the possibility that I might encounter the – Fish Curry – that my home city is reluctant to serve.
A table for four at 19.30 was booked when I was here last Saturday, again checking out the Desi Lamb. Alan, Tracy, Marg and Hector assembled in good time at a local Finnieston hostelry and arrived punctually at Chimes of India. It was still raining, I doubt if it has stopped since it began on Saturday.
There was a mini-throng in the doorway, people trying to get in, or coming out. A large group were taking their leave:
Have the Fish Pakora – was a clear instruction by one chap as he exited.
Vini, Mein Host, was about to allocate a window table for us, but instead gave us – more room – at a table in front of the bar. At last, the Hector would be in a position to capture the remaining angles of this modestly sized venue. Do book.
Salty Curry – Bulletproof Naan – Plastic Rice – Colourless Dal
I don’t know if these were promises or criticisms they have received in the past. Curry without Salt, no thanks. Karah!
Drinks, it’s a Saturday night. One pint of Cobra (£5.50) would suffice for the Hector. The fellow diners had multiples of Cola (£2.95), Italian Birra (£3.80) and cans of domestic Cider (£3.80). The Cider was the best value.
Being here – to dine – there would be Starters. Knowing the menu in advance, I had already considered sharing the Mixed Pakora (£10.20), three pieces each of Vegetable, Chicken, Fish and Haggis Pakora. That should reveal a lot.
Alan had mooted the Amratsi Fish Pakora (£6.70) but bowed to his lady who had spotted Spicy Chilli Momos (£6.90). What is a – Momo?
The charming waitress supplied the answer – Dumplings, a portion of four or five.
They could be served either steamed or fried. Hector put in his tuppence worth. Taking a decent accompanying sauce for granted, fried Pierogi are more palatable than steamed. Fried it was, the – Vegetable – option taken.
As Chapatti John ordered last Saturday, so Tracy chose Spicy Garlic Chicken (£10.95) for her main course. Marg and Alan were both sold on the Desi Lamb, Boneless for Marg, on-the-bone for Alan. I asked that the Masala Fish Curry have no Capsicum, Alan followed suit. The chaps both asked for an increased level of Spice.
Having only previously seen the Chapattis at Chimes of India, I persuaded Marg to share a Nan (£3.30) and the mandatory Mushroom Rice (£3.80). Our fellow diners chose a Chappati (£1.50) (sic) and a Plain Paratha (£3.50). Good coverage therefore of the Bread.
A pile of Poppadoms, Mango Chutney and Spiced Onions had already arrived. Complimentary as Curry-Heute suggests they always should be, we’ve had crispier ones. Hector restricted the intake to the usual Soupçon. Some were still nibbling as the Starters arrived.
Mixed Pakora
A thirteenth piece was on the plate. After the slivers of Tilapia served at Handi By Darbar earlier in the week, Hector took the long pieces to be the Fish Pakora. These were Chicken, and were the least impressive of the variety before us. As Marg remarked, also earlier in the week – Chicken is boring.
I promise not to – overuse – this quote, well, maybe I shall.
The Fish, Haddock as Vini later confirmed, was spot on, proper Fish Pakora. The lightly spiced batter was beautifully fresh as it was on the Haggis. Why then does Vegetable Pakora always have to be double cooked? This assembled company all miss the Akash (Helensburgh) which set the standard for – fresh – Pakora.
Haggis Pakora, a novelty, but Fish & Chip shops have in effect, been serving it for decades. We had the Fish Pakora!
Spicy Chilli Momos
Four, not – five or six – Dumplings sat in a Masala about which I can say no more. Nor can I identify the mystery fifth lump on the plate.
Not all my choices are the best – was an early admission by Tracy. However, they weren’t written off and both would have Momos again was suggested later.
The waitress and Vini were always on hand, keen to ascertain our enjoyment. As the table was cleared so the concluding sentiment was that if one doesn’t try new things, then one doesn’t learn.
They didn’t have the Fish Pakora!
More drinks were no doubt ordered in the short gap between Mains and Starters. We were given enough time to digest the Starters before the very hot dining plates were presented.
The Wholemeal Chapatti was served whole, why not the rest? A Naan and a Paratha served in bits, always a disappointment, but one lady disagreed. We each have our preferences. The, again Wholemeal, Paratha was nothing special. Thin, only a hint of layering, perhaps too greasy also. Having sourced the wonderful Malabar Parotta in Glasgow, maybe there’s no going back.
The Naan looked too thin initially.
It was light, did its job, but one wonders what one has to do to acquire a large, blistered, teardrop, risen Naan, served whole of course.
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The Mushroom Rice here is a treat. A must. Wonderfully fresh Mushrooms in a lightly Spiced Rice.
Masala Fish Curry
Loads of Fish protruded through the orange, blended Masala which was already separating. The two whole Finger Chillies meant there would be no lack of a – kick.
Before arranging the Fish and Masala on top of a suitable share of the Mushroom Rice, I had a little taste. Oh, quite a kick here already, sharp.
The Fish, again verified as Haddock, was into double figures, a meaningless term in this case. One may deduce a whole piece of Haddock was present, so no skimping. The white Fish was cooked to perfection, integrity maintained, then fell apart when a fork was applied. One is not looking for the Fish to absorb Flavour but give back its own – fishiness. This was not happening. That may have been my fault.
Having asked for – above medium – the initial Spice may have been at the expense of the intended Flavour. With the Fish removed from the original plate, the remaining Masala was stirred then decanted, much better.
With the Fish, Masala, Spiced Rice and Mushrooms in the melange, there was much more happening. As I approached the end game I concluded more Seasoning was still required, but the palate was definitely saturated. The Hector was in a happy place, every morsel was devoured.
Salty Curry? – rarely a problem, this could have done with more.
Chilli Garlic Chicken
This Curry was reviewed last Saturday. Again, the Chicken stood out in the Masala which had a decent viscosity and was far from being – Soupy.
Tracy enjoyed her Curry and rather than force it all down, some would go home as a – doggy bag.
Desi Lamb on-the-bone
The first time I had this it blew me away, the second, I knew what was coming. I had advised Alan that this was very much a – Curry – in the traditional sense, remote from what we have when dining south of the river.
Enjoyed and ticked – was forthcoming, followed by – Curry no bad.
Desi Lamb – boneless
It was difficult to tell the two apart without decanting or digging in. Marg had the rest of the Mushroom Rice but would have most of the Naan.
Once more, whole Finger Chillies featured, and the Masala was separating. The lovely dark brown was a reflection of the pedigree. This looks like Curry.
Marg had a splodge of Masala on top of her boneless Lamb. Neither participant made a special reference to the quality of the Lamb served at Chimes of India, this is a standout. Marg had a few more words to offer:
The dish was large with plenty pieces of tender lamb. The sauce was rich and earthy with a good level of spice for me. The Mushroom Rice worked very well with the thin Naan to give a different texture to the dish. Very enjoyable.
Was it OK? – asked Vini.
We don’t do OK – is the customary Hector answer to this question. The World is full of – OK Curry Houses – return visits are a sign of something special. Chimes of India has something more to offer than the Mainstream.
It was too late for Hector, my fellow diners ordered Coffee: Latte (£3.00) for Marg, Espresso (£2.70) pour les autres. We’re not finished.
The ever so charming waitress, Vini’s daughter Marg established, arrived with a tray of a certain Irish Liqueur. Marg’s favourite, much appreciated.
The Bill
£125.40 £46.40 of this was for liquids, a fair price per head for the food.
The Aftermath
Thanks and farewells. I advised Vini that there will be some time before my next visit. All will become clear soon. Two more visits and Chimes of Indiawill surely earn its place in Glasgow’s Top Rated.
