Day #3 in Manchester, time for a feast. Spotted last year, but temporarily closed due to a hiatus, Lahori Butt Karahi (142b Cheetham Hill Rd., Manchester M8 8PZ England) was today’s chosen venue. With – The Ladies – having lunch, Clive had little choice but to accompany me. When Josh arrived in Manchester last night, he announced that he was keen to sample another – Lahori kilo.
Walking up towards Cheetham Hill, we arrived at Lahori Butt Karahi bang on 13.00. Two doors down, our usual source of the – kilo – Lahori Badsha sported new tables and chairs, but was empty both before and after our meal. Lahori Butt Karahi had three tables occupied on our arrival, and more customers came and went during our stay, saying much about the popularity of this Curry Cafe.
A waiter gestured that we should sit at the table next to the counter which was set for three. I took the adjacent table, set for four. From here, I would survey all, in time. An open kitchen, one could in theory watch one’s Order being prepared. Another waiter and waitress, in turn, busied themselves wiping plates and then glasses, respectively. Bright and Shiny, photos were acquired as and when tables were evacuated. There was a continuous blast of hot air from above us, no cold room here.
The counter display had prepared Curry, not ready/fast food a la Kabana CH across the street. The mass of Fish on top of the counter was certainly inviting. That’s for another day, and who knows, the – whole chicken – suitably spiced and nothing like Nando’s, which we watched being served at another table. I don’t believe I have ever seen a – whole chicken – served in such a manner.
Having studied the business end of the menu, the Lamb Butter Karahi (£30.00) was talking to me. No need for Olive Oil (Zatooni) and another couple of quid. With the basic Lamb Karahi priced at £26.00, this must be the cheapest kilo served anywhere in the land. The Hiran (Venison) Karahi (£40.00) is one for the future.
With three of us, a Vegetable accompaniment could be managed. Mixed Vegetable (£6.00) would suit our purposes. Josh’s Bread preference was a Garlic Naan (£2.00). Clive and Hector opted for the Butter Naan (£1.70), one each.
The Drinks page intrigued, Jugs for £6.00, was this per litre, or even two?
No jugs – the waiter informed us.
Cans of fizz (£1.50) and a bottle of still water (£1.00) were duly ordered, two rounds, eventually. At Lahori Butt Karahi, no tap water is served.
The kilo order was duly noted, then time for the accompaniment.
No Vegetables – advised the waiter.
A Curry House without Vegetables, how could this be so?
It is written – I said pointing firstly to the jug option, then the Mixed Vegetable Curry.
He was nonplussed.
Daal Mash (£6.00) became the accepted substitute. Lentils are not Vegetables then?
A Modest Salad and two Dips were brought to the table. These remained untouched until the main event.
Settled in for the thirty minute wait, watching people come and go, it became apparent that it is the Asian community who frequent Lahori Butt Karahi, unlike the more cosmopolitan Kabana CH. The music certainly reflected this. A single voice, no accompaniment, Friday Prayer Music – is how I shall describe it. It was relentless. On a loop – Josh suggested.
Those seeking a table upstairs were denied.
The Breads arrived in a single basket, halved. Being Manchester, they had also been perforated, two negatives. Fortunately, the Naans had still managed to rise and create the required level of fluffiness. No blisters.
*
*
*
Daal Mash
Large Lentils, surprisingly large, and so less of a – Mash. The sheen confirmed the presence of a minimal, but Oily Masala. Once divvied out, a Soupçon remained. As a – Side – this did its job of providing a Diversity of Texture.
Lamb Butter Karahi
This was certainly – the full kilo. With a more than acceptable Meat to Bone ratio, there was plenty of eating here, enough for three – to share. No Sucky Bones. With no Offal or Fatty bits attached, this had the appearance of – Quality Lamb.
Oil was separating from the Tomato-based Masala. Some of the surplus Oil was easily avoided when spooning out the portions. Far from – a glass full of oil – which one reviewer had claimed in another medium. There was no avoiding the Oily Lake on the plate. No Oil, no Flavour.
With the Salad and Dips suitably arranged on the plates, were were all set, something missing.
Cutlery? – I asked the other waiter as he returned from serving the aforementioned – whole chicken – to another table. Had he been called Manuel, he may well have replied – Que?
Forks, spoons – I clarified. He still looked bemused. In time, we were able to eat.
Behold the Tenderest of Meat, observation matched expectation. Dipping the Bread in the well Seasoned Masala, beautifully crafted Flavours were revealed. Being Manchester, Earthy, with Cloves coming though but not to the detriment of the other Spices. No Whole Spices, but the Masala had the true Desi Texture. Josh remarked that the Spice Level was not as high as he might have feared. Why do people believe that Chefs go out of their way to cause discomfort for their customers? A Curry is all about Flavour with hopefully – a wee kick.
Addressing the Daal Mash, this was a quintessential – Dry Curry. Once again, Clove was the most easily discernable Flavour. Whilst an array of Vegetables would have been preferred, the Daal Mash was something different.
A half Naan remained, Clive expressed no interest in finishing his share. Usually, when having a Keema Naan with his Karahi, Clive will leave the bulk of his Bread to the end. Today, no Keema Naan was on offer, the Bread was abandoned. Clive:
The food was good, no quibbles. The staff didn’t seem to know what they were doing. Clueless. Shocked when asked for cutlery. Josh:
The food certainly made up for the cluelessness. The meat just fell to pieces, velvety. The flavour wasn’t too overpowering, warmth at back of throat. That was a decent Garlic Naan.
Time to pay, I held a card aloft. This was acknowledged by the second waiter, the first being now more behind the counter than customer side. And so we waited. And waited.
I tried again – can we pay please?
And so we waited, and waited. All glasses wiped, it became apparent that the waitress was now in charge of dealing with payment matters. Eventually, she managed to transfer our Order from pad to till, and secure the printout.
The Bill
£49.00 Given two rounds of Drinks, great value.
The Aftermath
Two senior chaps behind the counter had just disappeared. The Calling Card was given to a chap who was decidedly more communicative than any encountered here today. I mentioned my previous attempts to visit Lahori Butt Karahi both here and in Bradford. I was informed that they have nothing to do with the Bradford outlet of the same name.
I was thanked for coming.
As we put on our coats, so a family with two weans sat at the table we were first offered. Timing.
2025 Menu
