Sydney – Lal Qila – Darling Harbour : Veritable Desi Curry

It was only after booking the accommodation adjacent to Darling Harbour in Sydney that I noted there was potentially a Pakistani Restaurant of note, not two minutes away. La Qila Darling Harbour (30 Lime St, Darling Harbour, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia) opens midday and in the evenings, perfect for Hector’s preferred early dining. Not that the body really knows what time it is currently.

We entered an empty Lal Qila at 13.45, one hour before the reported end of shift. Mein Host greeted and informed us that today, at lunchtime, it was Buffet.

Having studied the menu, I believed Lal Qila had so much more to offer, this did not deter, I announced we would be back this evening – for real Curry.

Naan has proved to be an issue in Australia, OK, I’ve had two, but the last was awful and was only fit for the bin. My niece back in Brisbane also reckons they don’t do them properly. One source showed a Naan at Lal Qila, it was risen and puffy. I confirmed that this quality of Naan could be served. Indeed, when I went over to photograph the Buffet fayre, I lifted the lid on the Bread. Decent Naan, although past its best having sat out. Mein Host assured me that a fresh Naan would be to my liking. So many positive waves.

Day 2 in Sydney, Day 12 of The Grand Trip, today we saw the iconic Sydney sights. Both of them. It was 17.30 when we returned to Lal Qila, still empty. We were given a window table, that should attract the crowds.

Lamb Karahi (A$30.90) served on-the-bone, a Signature Dish, I still had to verify there was nothing undesirable in there. On showing Mein Host the relevant photo, the mind was put at ease:

Will I see a pile of Capsicum on top of my Karahi?

We don’t do that.

You are already my friend.

On asking for – Lamb on-the-bone – there was a tacit acknowledgement that the Hector knew what he was about.

Marg found her favourite, tonight it was called – Mudhi Keema (A£26.90). The Tondoori Roti (A£4.50) was actually spelled correctly in the blurb. Hector asked for the Plain Naan (A£4.50) to be served – whole. Butter was declined.

Drinks were mentioned, the bottle of tap-water brought to the table with four Poppadoms and a Raita should be sufficient. Pappadums (A$5.90) were listed in the Starters section. One assumed that having brought them, these Poppadoms were complimentary.

We settled down for the wait, sorting photos from this afternoon. A group of young ladies were given a table in the raised seating area well into the interior. In the near empty restaurant, securing photos of the layout was not an issue.

I did like the sign regarding the wasting of food in the Buffet. That’s a hefty surcharge.

Buffet is also available later in the evening, a good way to get rid of their own surplus food.

Whilst Hector was touring the venue, Marg was devouring the Poppadoms. I asked her to leave me one half of the four. Crispy, toasted, I stopped being excited by Poppadoms ages ago, Marg likes them:

I enjoyed the small, crispy Poppadoms and the thick, minty sauce. A perfect Starter.

A waitress brought the food, what a lot for the Aussie Dollar. The Breads were both served – whole – as asked. The Naan lived up to its promise, risen, puffy, blisters and a sensible size. Delightfully soft, the only – more – I could have asked for was – the Tandoori teardrop – not – round.

The Roti was remarkably – white – given that Wholemeal flour had been mentioned, a plus if Hector was having it. This too had signs of puffiness. The girth here was less, such that Marg ordered another halfway through her meal.

Karahi – Lamb on-the-bone

This smells like Karahi Palace (Glasgow, Scotland) – was my instant reaction when the Karahi Gosht was set before me. A huge portion, easily the half kilo, the familiar Ginger Strips and Coriander topped the Masala Mash. Red flecks were strewn though the Masala, Tomato skin. This had to be a Tomato-based Masala. My research suggested there would be authentic Lahori Karahi served at Lal Qila, and here it was!

The first dip confirmed that all written in the previous paragraph was so. The reveal-all Tomatoey Flavour was at the root of all. This Karahi had the Flavours associated with the still missed Karahi Palace, but without – the Hector Tweaks. The Seasoning was down, more Methi, if there was any, could have had me wish we were staying in Sydney for longer.

There was Spice here too, but after last night’s assault at Spice Paradise, a Hunan restaurant, well let’s say, it’s going to be a long time before the Hector is challenged again.

A la Karahi Palace, the Meat was too hot to handle at first. Lots of it, Ribs were the first bones encountered, eventually a Sucky Bone. You can hopefully tell how wonderful this was. The distinctive Flavour of Lamb came over strongly, the Tenderest of Meat had a sense of belonging, this Karahi had been prepared with skill.

Beautiful – was my declaration when Mein Host came over to ask the customary question.

With the Oil separating towards the base of the karahi, I stirred up the Mash, here we go again. The bone count was significant, which was just as well. There comes the point when the realisation hits, no way was Hector going to finish this. Surely the Buffet penalty does not apply here?

Why shouldn’t I find authentic Karahi in Australia, they’re closer to Pakistan than Scotland is. Crucially, this also confirms that what we are served in Glasgow is being replicated in the Southern Hemisphere. I don’t get to write that every day.

Mudhi Keema

After the great misleading Keema served in Brisbane, this was true to form. The elliptical dish contained a Mass of Mince and more. Beneath the Ginger and Coriander Toppings, Marg announced the presence of finely chopped Onion and Carrots. Diversity! Tick another box. The Masala, such as there was, was at the extreme end of Minimal. Liquid was collecting at the edge of the bowl, the Hector would have stirred this in.

A Soupçon crossed the table, this tasted familiar, again, the Seasoning was below the Hector idyll. Maybe this is how the majority here prefer their Curry?

The first Roti disappeared in no time. Perhaps Marg was eyeing up the remaining Naan, but at that time the Hector was still making progress. Marg ordered her second Roti which arrived in good time, just as well the place was not stowed.

Soon after the arrival of Roti #2, Marg hit her wall. Eating small and often is Marg’s preferred pattern, the Hector hopes to eat once a day, and go for it. Who is in better shape?

The Keema was full of crunchy small pieces of vegetables mixed with mince. A good hint of ginger and coriander was very satisfying and the meat went well with the hot Tandoori Roti. I ordered a second.

The dish was filling, was too much for me in quantity, full of flavour. I enjoyed it.

Unusually, there was no mention of Spice Level, but Marg too succumbed at Spice Paradise.

We both hate wasting food, a Doggy Bag was not an option, no means of reheating.

The waitress dealt with the payment, Mein Host was taking phone orders.

The Bill

A$72.00 (£37.52) The likelihood is that we had the kilo between us, so great value for money.

The Aftermath

Marg had already informed Mein Host earlier in the day that there was a Curry Blog. The Calling Card was duly presented and the – About – page revealed. On seeing the Karahi photos roll round, there was a positive reaction.