Glasgow – 29 States Indian Cuisine – In the West

Curryspondent John, relax, Hector has now been to 29 States Indian Cuisine (6-8 Norby Rd., Broomhill Square, Glasgow G11 7BN). John has mentioned in a previous communication that the Chef is ex-Ashoka. I don’t know if that was to entice, or lower expectations. The Ashoka chain may be loved by some in Glasgow, the Hector prefers Desi Cuisine over the Mainstream. Maintaining the thoroughness of Curry-Heute’s coverage, the visit here completes the city centre and West End. A Curry Cafe on Duke Street is all that is missing north of the river. Despite being located in Glasgow’s West End, 29 States is not an easy place to get to by public transport. Fortunately, Marg was on hand to drive. More on coming by car below.

The young waitress directed us to a booth table at the far wall. The Hector just managed to squeeze into the space between table and bench seat. Beware.

Having arrived at 14.55, we were still in time for the Lunch Menu (£12.95) which ended at 15.00. Allergans (sic) – why was it asking about Botox?

There was a la carte on the other side of the laminated menu. Having glanced at this, Marg asked for the main menu. No, this was it. Prior research had revealed a multinational range of food available, I had thought of bringing Marg here for Sunday lunch some time back. Maybe John can explain where the steak has gone.

The limited range of Curry on offer was not exactly becoming. Too many references to Cream and Coconut, the Karahi (£10.95) featured the dreaded – bell pepper. The Chettinad (£10.95) did, unusually, promise a – thick sauce, but as written, the Hector was not in the mood for Coconut.

Glasgow Favourite Dishes – added – sweet and sour – to things better avoided. What is the difference between Chasni and Patia? Why both? Whilst these work with Chicken, the Hector was most certainly not succumbing to that. Lamb or Fish.

Marg came out the blocks and mentioned Haggis Pakora (£6.00) and Fish Mappa (£11.95). The Mappa admitted to having – creamy coconut. I don’t get Haggis Pakora. Curious to see what would arrive, I was happy to share a Haggis Pakora.

Marg suggested I consider Lamb Bhindi (£11.95). Oakra (sic), tomato, ginger, garlic paste – no nasties, and an Interesting Vegetable also avoids just Meat and Masala.

To accompany, we would stick to our sharing Rice and Bread: Naan (£3.00) and Pilau Rice (£3.50).

The waitress took the food Order having already brought a sensibly priced 750ml bottle of Sparkling Water (£3.99). We hadn’t seen the portion sizes yet, but the overall pricing is certainly competitive, and the Fish was not more expensive than Meat.

The waitress returned – no Bhindi. Declaring my intention to avoid Cream and Coconut, she suggested Lamb Masala (£9.95). Marinade, pujabi (sic) spices, cumin, ginger, garlic, Yogurt, onion and tomato – again, – no nasties.

This, I went with, though the Lamb Bhoona (£9.95) features Methi, tempting. From the feeling of limited options, when I first read the menu, I now felt I had some choice. The main menu, allergens spelled correctly, also advised – we are happy to make any requested dish of your choice. Quite a claim. So I’ll be back next time for Lamb Desi Korma on-the-bone?

If 29 States can do this, someone please advise.

On arrival, the only other person in the building was a chap fixing lights. It took a while to obtain photos of the interior. This explains the ladder.

A chap came in for a Takeaway Pakora. The only other sit-in customer was a mature chap whose – jakey – credentials were in order. In addition to his Curry he ordered a lager and a pint of milk. As he paid, he ordered another – pinta’ lager. Eccentric millionaire?

Marg spotted a – P – for parking on the till screen. I then realised the big – P – posted on a pillar was also a reference to parking. Why the governors of Broomhill Square shopping centre think they can charge for parking puzzles. Having been caught unawares in a comparable situation, Dan Sath, last year, Marg was taking no chances. The waitress was consulted, registration plate was duly entered, sorted. On departure, I verified that 2.5 hours of parking are free. Nobody is going to park and ride from here, unless they particularly like the 16 bus.

Haggis Pakora

Six Pierogi shaped pieces of Haggis in batter were accompanied by the standard Chilli Dip and a Salad garnish. Marg, who always expects – Haggis balls – took care of the greenery. Three pieces each, enough. A six piece portion, a piece for every Pound (sorry, Seamus). This hopefully lays the ghost of Murphy’s Pakora Bar to rest, and confirms the absurdity of the latter’s portions.

Seasoning is all. The level here was most satisfactory. One would assume Spice would emanate from both the batter and the fabled haggis itself. This was moderate. What intrigued was the overall Flavour, not a brand of Haggis I recognised, do they make their own? Usually I cannot tell the difference between Curry House Haggis Pakora and the Haggis served at a Glasgow Fish & Chip shop. I congratulate 29 States for serving something different.

On clearing the table, the waitress asked if we would like our mains right away. I asked for a few minutes. She dealt with our fellow diner whose Curry was served during our wait. A bit quick, I thought.

After consulting again, hot plates were brought at 15.30.

The Pilau came in a decent portion, enough to share given we had Bread also. On taking my serving, Marg did not eat all that was left. In time, this ended up on my plate, but too late for the remaining Curry. A few grains would be left.

The Naan was a delight. Large and round, that it was halved was not cause for criticism today. Both pieces were substantial. With its buttery sheen, the Naan had risen, the burnt blisters had formed. This created soft and more crispy sections. I took the thicker pieces, Marg the thin. This Naan therefore suited us both. And the taste, oh, yes, this was excellent. The best Naan I’ve had in a while.

Fish Mappa

Yellow, Creamy, the appearance was everything Marg likes in a Curry, and the Hector avoids. Topped with both Coriander leaves and stems, this would prove to be beneficial as one ate. Once decanted, the portion appeared to have substantial Fish. White Fish is all I can report.

The Creamy Masala had a decent viscosity. The given description mentioned an Onion and Tomato rich gravy, whereas the Butter Chicken (£11.95) – tomato, honey, garam masala and cream. I would like to have seen and tasted both for comparison purposes. With its welcome – kick – Marg quickly declared her enjoyment and said the Fish Mappa was like a Butter Chicken, but with Fish. Hector’s Soupçon of Masala found it to be not over-sweet. I could have eaten this. The Fish Mappa certainly was streets ahead of the Birthday Curry at Desi’s (Honolulu). Marg:

Good fish texture with plenty pieces. Sauce creamy with a perfect level of spice. Enjoyed the coriander throughout and the rice. The plain Naan was thin and crispy, my favourite.

Lamb Masala

The aroma had me onside as I studied the composition. Onion and Tomato were in the given description, there was way more Onion, relatively large pieces at that. Oh no (expletive deleted)! The dreaded Capsicum was here. I left two bits in the karahi, two larger pieces were set aside on the plate. As I ate so more, and more, was uncovered and returned to the karahi. If they were going to be present, why did the menu description not say so as with other Dishes? Ballast in the extreme, I rest my case.

The Masala was not excessive, it was actually difficult to say more given the abundance of Onion. Far from excessive, not – Soup, a decent viscosity.

Once again, the Seasoning immediately impressed. The Flavours hitting the palate were distinctive, something new. The mentioned – Cumin – was presumably not in seed form. One would not expect Whole Spices in a Mainstream Curry House. The Spice Level, not discussed at the point of ordering, was never above – medium.

The Meat count surpassed double figures, the value for money box was ticked. The Tenderest of Lamb, it was giving back Seasoning as well as Meatiness, a cut above the norm.

Alternating between Curry & Rice then Curry & Naan proved to be rewarding. This Naan was excellent. Eating one piece of Capsicum would have resulted in hours of horrible aftertaste. The debris pile in the karahi steadily accumulated, just how much was here?

There was the full spectrum.

With the Minimal Masala rapidly disappearing, this Curry was taking a lot of management. Adding the surplus Rice did not help. The Flavour from the Meat was hanging in there. I mentioned to Marg, more than once, just how good this Curry was, in spite of…

As the waitress cleared the table:

I enjoyed your Curry but I never eat these … Marg interrupted with – he doesn’t like Capsicum – my turn – I do like Capsicum, I otherwise eat it all the time, but (IMHO) it should play no part in a Curry.

The Bill

£38.99 With a shared Starter, competitive pricing.

The Aftermath

The Calling Card was presented to the waitress. Once again I mentioned – Capsicum – throw it in the bin.

No more conversation felt appropriate. I would like to have established the Fish species for example. When the menu is reprinted, hopefully the descriptions of the Curry components can be clarified, and the Botox typo sorted.

Remember the electrician? He was working outside. As I took photos of the verandah, so he engaged. A local, he visits 29 States regularly. I explained what I was about.