Glasgow – Green Gates – A Tale of Many Menus

Green Gates (285 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3HQ) recently took over the premises occupied by Glassy Central who have moved to Cambuslang. Green Gates opens at noon on Fridays and Saturdays, today was Hector’s first opperchancity to visit. With Green Gates Cafe in the Merchant City and a branch in Renfrew, this makes three Green Gates outlets in the West of Scotland. The mother shop remains in Stirling. Green Gates must be doing something right.

Arriving at 14.00, the premises were empty, however, a couple arrived shortly after. I had taken a comfy chair at a small table opposite the bar, they sat mid-room thus restricting the photo opperchancities.

The new décor is decidedly bright, the multiple mirrors have gone.

The waiter brought two menus, the – Lunch (£10.95) – and the – Pre Theatre (£13.95). The main menu was available also, I was informed, but I had already decided to go – cheap – today after recent excesses. The Hector cannot support all of Glasgow alone.

Vegetable Pakora was a given. Having considered the mains list on both menus, Lamb Karahi was tempting, but too many unknowns, Lamb and Potato felt safest. A Plain Naan would reveal lots about the Lunch Menu. A glass of tap water was requested, cheap or what?

During the wait, I fetched the main menu. Hadiwala Gosht (£14.95) is served – on-the-bone. Lamb Kadhai (£14.55) made no mention of the – dreaded green ballast. Indeed, the waiter engaged, confirmed – no Capsicum – and declared – ours is different. So, a couple of reasons to return.

As I took in the new surroundings, there was clearly much space opposite the bar. More tables could be added, as and when. The musak was different too. Given the time of year, respite from the usual nonsense, today, Disco-Schlager Musik. Dig it, man.

A chap appeared from the kitchen bearing the complimentary amuse-bouche which is a feature of Green Gates (Renfrew). A wee cup of Soup. Thick, Spicy, well Seasoned, tasty. As I remarked to the waiter, – so thick, I can’t call it Shorva.

The Pakora arrived whilst I was savouring the Soup.

Vegetable Pakora

Four, decent sized pieces of Pakora were accompanied by an Onion, Olive and Bean Garnish, a pot of Chilli Sauce and a slice of Lemon. A meticulous presentation, I wasn’t sure where the Lemon fitted in.

This Pakora was better than the norm, i.e. the stuff that comes from the Cumbernauld factory and prevails across the West of Scotland.

The Pakora did not appear to have been double fried, the exterior was a stimulating change. Featuring Onion and Potato, this was suitably filling. Why does mainland Europe get Vegetable Pakora so wrong? The Chilli Sauce was not too Sweet.

Having made eight pieces from the four, scooped up the Garnish, and finished the Soup, I realised I had eaten way more than I should before a main course.

Thinking back to what I have paid for portions of Pakora in restaurants over the years, I already felt I was quids in. Then the mains arrived.

Behold the Naan! The Plain Naan (normally £3.25) was exactly what the Hector seeks. Served whole, the tear shape confirming it had come for the Tandoor, thin, risen, big puffy blisters, the buttery sheen. This was worth the entrance money alone.

The Soup, the Pakora, the Naan, the Curry almost felt incidental. No way would I manage all this Bread. Any couple dining here would be well advised to have one Naan, and a portion of Rice, if choosing from this menu.

Lamb and Potato

A Tapas-sized handi, one cannot expect the full portion in a Lunch Menu. Normally, I would directly from the handi, but given this was visit #1, I decided to turn out the contents on to the heated plate provided.

Five pieces of Meat, eight pieces of Potato, sat atop the Thickest of Masalas. Finely chopped Onion and Garlic permeated the Masala, as hard as I looked, I saw no Tomato Seeds. I believe I did see pulped Meat in the Masala. The yellow colouring in the Potato suggested it had been given a chance to absorb the Spice.

The Spice Level was decidedly – medium, the Seasoning was not in one’s face, but certainly sufficient. The Tenderest of Lamb, I found the interior somewhat Dry and not giving back the Spice. In these pages, this is what identifies the Mainstream over Desi. The Potato, however, had done its job, and was why I had opted for this Curry. Here was the full Flavour of the Masala. There was hardly a trace of Oil.

The Earthy Flavour, a marked difference from the norm, no sense of Cloves here. Instead, the Garlic was coming across strongly. Garlic Chilli Whatever, a Curry many enjoy, not the Hector. Even Garlic Naan is avoided. Whilst I certainly enjoyed what sat before me, I wouldn’t rush back to have this. Hopefully there are other Masalas served here. Still, there was the Naan to celebrate, it was the perfect accompaniment for this Curry.

As I ate, so a familiar face entered Green Gates, Mein Host. We have met previously, the last time possibly when Marg and Hector – ate out to help out – at Green Gates (Merchant City). Yes, that’s what it takes to get Hector into Curry Houses in that part of the city.

Thanks for coming – was part of his welcome.

We may have communicated last week when I made contact, via a certain social medium, regarding the contradiction in opening hours given on their website and those published in Google Maps. Now we all know: early opening – Fridays and Saturdays.

Having consumed way more Bread than was proportionate to the quantity of Curry, I admit to struggling with the final pieces of Meat. The Dry-ness may therefore have be down to the Hector palate.

The Bill

£10.95 Worth every penny.

The Aftermath

No Calling Card, Mein Host was well aware of my presence. I remarked on the new décor to the waiter, the removal of the mirrors and told of Marg marching into the kitchen because she had lost her bearings due to the multiple reflections.