Poznan – New Namaste – Much of a Muchness

New Namaste (Wozna 13, 61-777 Poznan, Polska), I wonder what happened to the old one?

Hector and Marg have two days only in Polska in 2024. Our flight to Athena cost sod all, all flights out of Athens were horrible, else others might have joined us. Behold, the right price from Thessaloniki to Poznan, and the rest of the trip falls into place.

My most visited Poznan Curry House – Restauracja Indyjska Shivaz has gone, and so to maintain the breadth of coverage, an untried venue was sought. In September 2020, I identified nine new Curry Houses in Poznan, so plenty of choice. Pork Vindaloo caught my eye whilst trawling through possible venues. Delhi Masala Poznan is where I thought I had spotted this rare Curry without red meat. On arrival this afternoon, a waiter said yes, Mein Host – no. Still, I liked the look of this place and it will be the chosen venue next time, plus a return to Wiejskie Jadlo an excellent traditional Polish Restaurant off the west side of Rynek. Roll on 2025.

New Namaste is two blocks east of Rynek, off Garbary. We were the first diners of the day when we entered at 13.30. The choice of tables was ours in this quite spacious restaurant, done out in traditional Curry House décor. The background music was pleasant, none of that screechy stuff.

Marg was reserving her appetite for this evening’s Polish meal, Samosa Wegetarianske (17.00zl) come as a pair. To accompany, Masala Chai (15.00zl. The Pork Vindaloo (38.99zl) has a three Chilli rating on the menu, so why did Mein Host ask if I wanted it – Spicy? Jeera Rice (15.00zl) looked to be the best Rice option. A large bottle of Woda Kropla Beskidu (6.00zl) niegazowana completed the Order.

We remained the only sit-in customers. There was the occasional alarm pinging at the till, online Orders. A variety of delivery chaps took away the food.

The tea arrived next. This is Marg’s area of expertise, no way was the Hector sampling this milky concoction. I’ll just point out that there was no floating Cardamom.

The Masala Chai was served very hot and once I added sugar, it hit the spot.

Samosa Wegetarianske

The Vegetable Samosas were a good size, so a worthy snack. The interior looked well filled. A pity the Hector couldn’t risk sampling any, have I mentioned tonight’s Polish meal?

I ordered two vegetable samosas. They arrived with a tray of dips. They were hot and full of potato and vegetables. I used the mint dip to give another flavour. Very tasty and filling.

The Jeera Rice was presented in a standard handi, so lots of it, the European way. I took what I thought I could manage and was impressed by the quantity of Cumin Seeds mixed through, and also finding the whole Star Anise. This Rice was subsequently – tasty.

What was going to become – leftovers – was taken over by Marg who created her own Mint-Cumin-Rice experience.

I finished the extra rice as I don’t like waste.

Pork Vindaloo

These small karahi typically hold more than first appears possible. The swirl of Cream I found to be off-putting, wrong. The Masala, topped with no more than a spoonful of Coriander and Onion rings looked Creamy enough. And why was this? When ordering Vindaloo, one hopes for the definitive wine-based version, as inspired by the Portuguese. Having had my Stifado in Athena, maybe I was hoping for something comparable.

At least eight, large pieces of Pork, not all fat had been removed, were accompanied by an indeterminate number of Potato pieces. As ever, I retained some Masala for the end game, to ensure I would not just have the copious Rice left on the plate. The blended Masala was viscous, not atypical of any Mainstream restaurant.

This Curry’s Seasoning immediately registered as – Big! The Spice built but would never reach anything like demanding. So, this was a Vindaloo with a three Chilli rating? For truly Spicy Curry in Polska, cf Gdynia!

One is more used to grilled Pork, Roast Pork (yum), not boiled. The Texture felt a bit strange, too soft, and not helped when I realised I was chewing boiled Pork fat. Out with it. Wot, no crackling? The Pork was not for giving up much in the way of Flavour, maybe this is why Mutton is preferred. However, this is where the Potato came to the fore. Spice infused, the Potato saved the day, glorious. A better Texture, a more familiar Texture. Should all Curry include the humble Potato?

The Masala had a Sweetness which appeared to confront the level of Seasoning. Then there’s the likelihood that Coconut was lurking in there. In a South Indian Curry, Coconut is expected, but I prefer when it has been roasted/burnt and that Flavour comes across strongly.

I could have finished all the Rice and Masala, but having reached a limit, I decided not to go beyond it. I had had enough of this Curry. For once, the Hector was missing his own cooking and recipe. I’m certain this recipe for Pork Vindaloo gives a better outcome.

The Bill

91.99zl (£18.07)

The Aftermath