Hector has been home for a month. A month of visiting local venues, and two new ones at that. Yes, John, I’ll get to 29 States – soonest. Despite brazenly championing the Punjabi Curry Houses of the Southside, today, Hector took the easy option and chose the West End for the second time this week. Chimes of India (914-916 Sauchiehall Street, Finnieston, Glasgow G3 7 TF) was visited three times in the run up to The Big Trip, the Desi Lamb (£12.95) on-the-bone is something wondrous, The Curry-Heute Test, certainly passed.
Bus 77 from Partick Interchange dropped the Hector outside Chimes of Indiaat 13.30. The scaffolding was a bit of a worry, not good for passing trade. The restaurant was empty, Hector, the first customer of the day.
Vini, Mein Host, was in his spot behind the counter, the greeting was warm. Back in March, I did advise Vini that it would be some time before he would see me again. I gave a brief résumé of places visited. For those who require the detail, trawl down the right side of the page to Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and USA, or just click on these links.
In reply, Vini mentioned that – friends of Hector – had been here in the interim. Hopefully we shall collectively put Chimes of India on Glasgow’s Curry map.
Mushroom Rice (£3.90) has proven to be the perfect foil for the Desi Lamb, why change a winning formula? A glass and a carafe of chilled tap water was provided.
I had taken the corner window table as on visit #1. The restaurant being empty was the perfect opperchancity to take some library photos. The dedicated page for Chimes of India is now only one visit away.
Vini brought a complimentary Poppadom and Spiced Onions – while you wait. The Seasoning in the Onions matched the Spice, tasty.
You’ve lost weight – remarked Vini at one point. I like Vini. I also doubt if this is true, not after the excesses in recent months.
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As I decanted the Mushroom Rice from the blue bowl to the blue plate, two other Glasgow Curry Houses came to mind. Firstly, the similarity in appearance to the equivalent Rice at The Village was noticeable, here I felt there was a grain or two more. Also, was this not the same crockery I had eaten from two nights before along the road at Murphy’s Pakora Bar? Their miserly portions had just about covered the plate, today I would have a mountain of food in comparison.
Showing total respect for the Mushroom Rice, I sampled this before wading into the Curry. The Rice was beautifully Spiced and well Seasoned, the Flavours consequently flooded onto the palate. The Mushrooms too reminded me of the The Village, fresh button Mushrooms. This would do very nicely. Oops.
Desi Lamb (on-the-bone)
Ginger Strips and Finger Chillies may be what some first notice, but for Hector it was the Sucky Bone which stood out, and momentarily a second would be revealed. The Meat count reached double figures, all large pieces and the largest of the four bones present was well shrouded in Meat. The viscous, blended Masala oozed quality, this was a classic Indian Curry. There was but a threat of Oil around the rim of the plate, a far cry from Hector’s Desi Punjabi Fayre.
Believing it to be a Mushroom, the first solid intake was a whole Black Cardamom, not the best start. At least I then spotted, so set aside, the second one too. Recovering with Rice and Masala, so the Big Flavours overcame this hiatus. This already had all the signs of being an absolutely gorgeous Curry.
The quality of the Lamb stood out, so Tender, and in addition to the obvious – meatiness – the absorbed Spice was being emitted also. Two Green Cardamom were dealt with, my mini-discard pile was growing. Although no whole Cloves were found today their presence was undoubted. So much Flavour, so much pleasure. Then there was the matter of addressing the Green Chillies. No problem.
Vini checked on my progress, asking the customary question.
I have missed this – was the reply. So few venues manage to create such intense Flavours in a Curry/Karahi/Desi-Korma which sit so beautifully on the palate.
Midweek, I found myself challenging Murphy’s Pakora Bar as to in what way was their Curry – Desi? At Chimes of India there was simply no doubting this. The Curry here was quite remarkable, and for the third time in this review I shall highlight just how much the Mushroom Rice played in making it so. Vini had suggested Bread as he brought the food, that would be have an unnecessary indulgence. The overall quantity I received perfectly matched the appetite. Debris aside, the plate was duly cleared.
There was quite a lengthy chat at the end of the meal. This is the second year of Chimes of India, the business is still establishing itself. Takeaway and deliveries have become a major part of their trade, unexpectedly perhaps. Hopefully, more people will discover the joy of sitting in, food that has been transported cannot possibly taste as good as that served on a plate, at source.
The Bill
£16.85 A modest price increase since March.
The Aftermath
Vini thanked me for coming. I mentioned to him that today was visit #4 and the way I operate Curry-Heute, one more would see a dedicated page produced for Chimes of India. The restaurant listing will then shift from way down the right column in – West End – to – Glasgow’s Top Rated.
Having met Marg on two of my first three visits, as I departed, Vini said – say hello to the lady.
That was no lady…