Back in Blighty for exactly one month, Hector’s itchy feet needed a scratch. A well known and reliable Curry Blog reveals that the Hector has avoided going to Aberdeen for some sixteen months. Actually it’s not the city that is being avoided, just the daytime distractions. It’s a pity the weather forecast was not studied before agreeing to travel. Whilst there is presently no sign of summer across the UK, the north-east of Scotland is experiencing stormy weather, Aberdoom.
The fourth, and final night, was the first Curry opperchancity, Rehmat’s Restaurant (249 George St., Aberdeen AB25 1ED Scotland), once again the chosen venue. A first visit for Euan, second for Graeme, third for Hector, and fourth for Marg. Desi-style Curry at sensible prices is the attraction. Having been told oft by a certain restaurateur in Glasgow about ongoing rising costs, there was no surprise in noting a 50% increase in price on the new menu for some items since the last visit. Rehmat’s remains competitive in this city where prices can be inexplicably high and portions small. The majority of the population cannot be oil workers.
The rendezvous was at 18.00. We parked on George Street opposite – The Blue Elephant – which must be a relatively new venue. There – Punjabi Korma – is on the menu, the efficacy of this claim will have to be investigated. Maybe another trip up north in the autumn will be required?
A young lady, front of house at Rehmat’s, directed us through the ice-cream parlour to the restaurant at the rear of the premises. There, we were invited to choose any table in the empty room. Instead of a booth for four, we chose a larger table, none of us chaps are getting any smaller.
The heart sank when I realised a young girl was going to serve us. Rarely do they know the food on offer, today’s struggled to understand what was meant by Sparkling Water. Not the best of starts. That we were waiting for two more diners also appeared to confuse. Graeme, who arrived dressed for a hill walk, will wish me to relate that Euan was last to arrive. Euan had opted for the giant umbrella this evening.
Graeme and Euan would share a jug of tap water. The reservoirs of Aberdeenshire have been well topped up in the last two days.
Fish Karahi (£11.95), is why the Hector was keen to return here. So few venues in Britain get this right. Mushroom Rice (£4.75) is new to the menu, and more typically priced for this city. Maybe prices at Rehmat’s were unrealistically low previously?
Normally, I would bring up – Desi – at the time of ordering. Extra Desi/Apna – as last time, would have added confusion to the moment.
Marg was sticking to her favourite Keema Peas (£10.95) and a Chapatti (£1.20). I do not believe any other Aberdoom Curry House serves a Chapatti/Roti at this price, think double, at least.
Graeme chose Nihari (£14.95) and Mushroom Rice, whilst Euan took advice and ordered Bhindi Gosht (£14.95) with Pulao Rice (£3.50).
Note the realistic price of the Keema in comparison to the other mains, and also the Fish Karahi being significantly cheaper than the Lamb. OK, we are close to the fishing ports, but the Hector always highlights the inflated price of Fish in British Curry Houses, not the case in other lands.
I bring everything together? – asked our young waitress.
Really?
Just how else could this Order be served? Time would tell.
As we waited, so five other customers arrived, each here for the Buffet that was slowly being assembled. We were not offered Buffet, not that we would have chosen it. Research shows Rehmat’s serving a Ramadan Buffet (£17.95) at weekends. Today is Wednesday.
Ramadan is over for this year, the Buffet maintains. The young lady we had seen front of house was responsible for managing the Buffet. I asked if I could take photos – I’ll explain why later.
Over the next hour, I secured the necessaries, with Keema Peas and Aloo Gobi present, Marg and Hector could have done serious damage here. Despite this being only Hector’s third visit, it now makes sense to create Rehmat’s Restaurant page for – Hector’s Recommended Curry Houses. There is sufficient photographic coverage at Rehmat’s to facilitate this, and more importantly, the Curry is already regarded as justifying this addition. Only in Glasgow is the rule of five applied strictly.
It was approaching 19.00 when hot plates were brought to the table followed by the Mushroom Rice portions and Hector’s Curry. As the rest was brought, Euan’s missing Pulao became an issue. That our Curry was not brought in minutes as experienced last week at Murphy’s Pakora Bar (Glasgow) last week, gives credence to the claim for the food being cooked to order, i.e. – properly.
The phone ringing also interrupted the delivery of the Order. Crazy. This is a universal problem. Why, in any shop, does the ringing phone have to be answered whilst those present are ignored?
The Mushroom Rice was appropriately Spiced. The Mushrooms would add another solid, another Texture, to the overall experience. Once decanted, the portion hardly covered the plate. Tasty Rice, but a somewhat stingy portion. The Pulao, once it arrived, proved to be a bit more substantial.
The Chapatti, served whole, was of the Wholemeal variety and a decent size. This suited Marg, the Hector prefers white Chapatti flour.
I had all of my Order, time to tear in.
Fish Karahi
Topped with fresh Coriander, there was minimal Masala present as is the Hector preference. The surplus Oil was already separating and is seen around the periphery of the handi. Once decanted, the Fish content impressed as did the overall appearance. This was right up there with the best of the Fish Karahi as served in Bradford Curry Houses.
Some of the White Fish was flaked, most was in small pieces. The food was hot, a major plus. The Spice, never discussed at the point of ordering, was not demanding, but would build to a decent level. Soft Fish, White Fish, one day I’ll discover what it is.
The Seasoning was a tad low, but not such that the sense of this being a Fish Curry was lost. Too often I have had Fish Curry with little/no sense of – fishiness. The Flavours here were not intense, but this was still a damn good Curry. No – wow! – today, just a Curry to savour. Had there been more, I could have savoured it longer. Let the reader note that I had to travel to Aberdeen to secure a Fish Karahi of this quality, Glasgow Curry Houses do not serve this.
Keema Peas
This is how a Keema is meant to look. So why do so many venues serve it wet? Sliced Onions had been cooked in with the Peas. Marg:
A good dish of Keema and Peas. Very dry and I was glad to have bread not rice. Very spicy with chilli flakes. I missed the rich flavour found in other Keemas.
An enjoyable meal.
No Methi?
Nihari
How different is this? Having established that Sheerin Palace (Glasgow) has this on most days, the Hector may well be revisiting this unique Curry soon.
The Toppings were complex: abundant Coriander, Ginger Strips and a slice of Lemon. Lamb Shank is the customary cut associated with Nihari, this evidently was not. The Lamb was served on a big bone, but having a somewhat incomplete knowledge of the anatomy of a sheep, this t-bone with two prongs was identified as being something else.
The Shorva was gravy-esque. This is the correct Masala for Nihari, and some eat it with Bread. Graeme, having ordered Mushroom Rice, had a dilemma. Decanting the Meat and Shorva to the Rice was one option. Spooning the Rice into the Shorva, the alternative. Graeme chose the latter, laborious, less messy. Graeme:
Mushroom Rice was excellent. Nihari was well cooked with very tender lamb and a hint of ginger.
Bhindi Gosht
The new menu has corrected the spelling. Piled high, – towering – was noted. 
The wedge of Tomato with the Coriander made this Curry look special. With the Okra pieces protruding from the mass of Curry, an Interesting Vegetable to provide extra Texture. The Minimal Masala confirmed the efficacy of this Curry. This had the appearance of quality Curry. Euan:
Enjoyable dish and plenty of flavour, definitely would have again. Good recommendation.
Did you enjoy your food? – asked the young waitress.
Of course!
How to pay. Paying separately was offered and accepted. This required Ehsan to come through from the ice-cream parlour. As we paid, so it was established that our glasses of Sparkling Water were being charged at the same price as the tap water – gratis. Good touch.
The Bill
£67.00 Where else in Aberdeen can four have Curry for this?
Last night, Marg was out with the girls. They had monkfish charged at £27.00 a portion, Aberdoom.
The Aftermath
Marg wanted ice-cream and disappeared through to the front of the premises. There she chatted with Ehsan and mentioned Curry-Heute. By the time I got through, a Calling Card was being requested.
You spoke to my Dad – recalled Ehsan from visit #1.
Whilst visits to Rehmat’s have been understandably sporadic, the Hector was confident enough to inform Ehsan:
This is the best Curry House in Aberdeen.
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Is there Punjabi Desi Korma being served along the street?