Day #71, and two familiar faces have joined Marg and Hector for a Curry lunch. Lord Clive and Lady Maggie of Crawley (England) have joined us for the last ten days of – The Trip. Dr. Stan is in town also, but had his customary – big breakfast. For two days only we are in Portland, Maine. Curry from Portland, Oregon, also features in these pages.
India Palace (565 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101 United States of America) looked like the best place in town for Curry-Heute. The menu at least gives some recognition to Punjab. Also, Marg and Clive’s favourite Dishes featured. We assembled outside for the 14.00 opening.
Mohammed greeted us and showed us to a table for six. There was still the possibility of Dr. Stan joining us.
Keema Mutter ($20.00) for Marg with a Chapati/Roti ($4.00) then Gosh Daal ($20.00) with a Keema Naan ($6.00) for Clive, was a given. Lamb With Mix Vegetables ($21.00) is something the Hector has been craving for some time. This left Maggie, who has a history of poor choices. Shahajahana Murgh ($19.00), a Mogul inspired Chicken Curry? At least the given description of this Curry read well.
All Mains come with Rice and Chutneys. Marg tried to opt out of having Rice, but was advised just not to take any. Simples. Medium – for the ladies. British Hot – for the chaps. There was a – Hot-Hot – option, we shall never know. I did enquire as to the exact Vegetables in the – Mix. On showing a photo of Capsicum, I was assured that these were not included. This is as it should be, Mixed Vegetables in India are well defined, the dreaded green mush ain’t part of the accepted line up.
Marg added a Masala Tea ($4.00) to complete the Order.
A few customers came to collect Takeaway, otherwise we were the only customers of the hour at India Palace. The décor gave an impression of the orient without being OTT. This was very much a restaurant.
The communal Rice gave three good portions, we might have struggled if Marg had been on board here.
The Chapatti, served whole, had risen to create an air pocket. The round Keema Naan had been needlessly quartered. The Mince interior was brown, a proper Keema Naan.
Both Breads were well fired, all going well, so far. Let’s firstly dismiss the elephant in the room.
Shahajahana Murgh
This was everything the Hector has written previously about Chicken Curry. If you order it, and deliberately ask for a lower Spice Level, this is what to expect. An opperchancity to repeat a Curry-Heute tagline: there ain’t such a thing as a Chicken Curry. The Creamy Shorva required Rice to accommodate it, way more Rice than Maggie had intended eating. Maggie:
I thought the place was a little dark perhaps so that I might not notice my skewered chicken lumps. This was thinner than soup, watery. It was OK, I should have gone one spice level higher.
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Keema Mutter
The presented handi had the appearance of containing straightforward Mince and Peas in gravy. Hector took a Soupçon, QED, there wasn’t much Spice here. The Syboes Topping was the only thing that suggested – Curry. This was way too wet, a Punjabi Keema would never be served like this. By now, we had got used to – Bangladesh – in big letters under the glass on the table top. Marg:
I enjoyed my Masala Tea before and during the food. The Keema Mutter had peas and coriander throughout and a good spice level. The sauce was fairly thin. Plenty mince to go round with my doughy Roti. The spoon helped me demolish the whole dish.
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Gosh Daal
Served in a handi with the Syboes Topping, things were looking up. The visible Lentils gave the Masala the required viscosity. This was not Shorva.
Despite his Keema Naan being a meal in itself, Clive had Rice here too. A substantial meal. Clive:
I’m glad I went for one – hot – not – two. A good level of spiciness, slightly soupy but not as Maggie is describing. The Keema Naan was OK, not remarkable, better than some I’ve had. It had some real meat in it.
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Lamb With Mix Vegetables
The light brown Masala suggested the addition of something dairy, but this, thankfully was not a Creamy Curry. Again, a Syboes Topping, maybe they don’t have access to Fresh Coriander? Large pieces of Lamb protruded from the Masala, a hefty array of Vegetables was in there also.
On decanting to the Rice, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, Chana, and Courgette were arranged on top, along with an abundant quantity of Meat. No Potato, always missed, but still, this was quite a combination of Interesting Vegetables.
The Spice Level and the Seasoning immediately impressed. The desire for a bit of a challenge had been correctly conveyed to the kitchen. An Earthy Flavour prevailed, already I was certain that this Curry had the potential to provide satisfaction.
The Lamb was Tender, but had not been given time to absorb the accompanying Spices. The varying Textures of the Interesting Vegetables impressed. Each had been cooked to the appropriate level, some firm, some soft. This is why the Hector is always on the lookout for a Curry with Mixed Vegetables, or better still, a share of a Vegetable Biryani.
There proved to be enough of the thin 
Masala to match the quantity of solids, the sense of having – Curry – was maintained to the end. With no Whole Spices in the Masala, this was probably as Mainstream as Mainstream can be. With many boxes ticked, however, this Curry proved to be a most satisfying meal: Spicy, tasty, filling.
The Bill
$98.36 By the time the US paying ritual had been completed, £47.03 per couple.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was presented to whom we were to establish as Mohammed, father of Khazi. Khazi and his mother, peripherally seen a la – Still Game – do the cooking. Khazi engaged with enthusiasm, something that has not been the case in many Curry-Heute reviews on this trip.
There was much discussion about – Curry – especially when the – Punjabi Karahi – came into view on the rotating photos in the – About – page. There was definitely a recognition of Karahi Gosht, the King of Curry?
The family of three have been in situ for three years, the actual Curry House for twenty. Having taken over the premises, they updated the menu. Putting – Punjabi – on the menu might have been an anathema, who knows. Had I not read this before coming, I probably wouldn’t have chosen this venue.
India Palace, Burlington VT, what’s not to like?
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2024 Menu
