Praha – Amritsar Mail – Still Going Strong

Prague, it has been a while. Jet2 have long had a direct flight from Glasgow, but usually at a price which the Hector is not prepared to pay. Taking advantage of the recently launched easyJet service was mooted. We could have been five, in the end, three of us made it.

Prior to travelling, there was a bit of research required. Proud of the extensive coverage of Praha Curry Houses in Curry-Heute, many did not survive the Koronavirus era. Equally, more venues have opened. The plan in this four day trip is to visit one tried and enjoyed, then maybe try somewhere new.

Howard, who had found his appetite, texted this morning to say he would join me at Amritsar Mail (Vodickova 701/34, 110 00 Nové Mesto, Czechia), 13.00 had been proposed, I pushed this back by ten minutes due to fog in Timbuktu. OK, I missed my tram. Still, this was going to be seriously early, my appetite was hours away from waking up. Such is the way our days out are organised. No midnight Curry Houses.

As witnessed on my two previous visits to Amritsar Mail, the majority of diners were here for the Buffet (129Kc). At a little over six quid for – all you can eat – tremendous value. Featuring Vegetables and Chicken only, not for the Hector, or Howard.

Arriving first, I secured a small table for two. As Howard sat down, Steve arrived, and so we moved to one of the booth-like tables for four, on the back side of the Buffet. The a la carte menu was provided. Previously, I have published extracts, today, the whole thing (below). This is what is available at Amritsar Mail. How many are aware of this?

Steve has been here before, but missed out on the impressive Lamb Madras (370Kc), ironically, his favourite Curry. Today, the three of us would have the Lamb Madras. Having read a well known and reliable Curry Blog, Howard appreciated that the Rice portions here could be excessive. We would therefore share a Mushroom Rice (130Kc) and a Butter Naan (80Kc).

Steve, despite having had a presumably very early breakfast, opted for Basmati (80Kc) and a Plain Naan (65Kc). How does he manage this?

With hydration required, I ordered both a Fanta (65Kc) and a half litre of the House Lemonade (90Kc).

Howard would have the Lemonade, strangely Steve ordered Sparkling Water (45Kc).

The Fanta did the trick, the Lemonade was pleasing, despite featuring – mint. Why is mint suddenly featuring in these pages? Twice in four days. But then today was Lamb #3 out of #4 days.

Amritsar Mail was full, front of house, for the first half of our stay. The smaller tables, along the corridor-like room towards the kitchen, less so. Watching people pile mountains on to their Thali trays, and then come back for more, kept us amused. Today, no Aloo Gobi, which almost had me go Buffet previously. Instead, Aloo Beans, well…

The Basmati turned out to be served in a sensible portion, the Mushroom Rice as expected.

Even after Howard and Hector had their share, not all would be managed. Still, a welcome addition to the meal, the Mushrooms offering Diversity and more Flavour. If dining here in company, highly recommended.

The Naan were served in bits, just enough of a sheen to differentiate, no excess of Butter, and thankfully no Garlic. Partially risen, certainly blistered, reasonable Bread. Not much would be left over.

Lamb Madras

The work of art served here previously, no more. The Toppings today were minimal. Seven large pieces of Meat were arranged over the Mushroom Rice. This I should manage. The thick Masala impressed, a decent level of viscosity, maybe more – red – than seen here previously. White flecks of Garlic stood out in the Tomato-rich Masala.

Columnar Lamb, one day someone will name the cut, Tender, an acceptable amount of chewing required. As I made progress, I noted that the Lamb was the least interesting component of what lay before me. Meaty yes, giving back more, not so. It was the prominent Seasoning which stood out.

The Masala, featuring whole Green Cardamom and Curry Leaves, was highly seasoned. The Spice Level, not discussed at the point of ordering, was no more than – moderate.

Whatever I had tasted here in the past, which has kept me coming back, was surely missing today. Amritsar Mail declares itself to be a Punjabi House, the overall Flavour from this Masala was not familiar. Clove being conspicuous by its absence. Somehow, my final mouthful tasted oh so familiar, I had just hit the motherlode of Herb. A happy ending.

As I watched my fellow diners clear their plates, I called a halt, as and when it felt appropriate. I know my limits – I’m not a greedy bastard – I declared.

My fellow diners had their say, Howard:

First impressions / second impressions

I had Lamb Madras with a shared Mushroom Rice and shared Butter Nan. The lamb came in a very red sauce with little sprinkles of what was assumed to be garlic. It was a decent portion of mostly soft lamb. The sauce was clearly heavily tomato based which I usually always like. This was OK but the lamb gave off very little flavours.

The Mushroom Rice looked very simple and expectations were low. However, there was flavour and I was impressed that such a simple dish could be tasty.

Bits of Butter Naan didn’t appear to have any butter! The bits that didn’t were good enough but the buttered bits enhanced the overall. meal.

A jug of lemonade was a subtle flavour which got better when the lemon slices and mint were mashed in.

Near the end some hint of flavour came from the lamb itself, but not enough. It begs the question – when did the lamb and sauce meet?

An OK Curry, but nothing particularly special although I would have the Mushroom Rice and appropriately Buttered Naan again.

Steve:

The Curry was pleasing to the eye and certainly looked the part. There was a good portion of nicely cooked chunks of lamb. However, the sauce, which was quite heavy on the tomato paste, was not really bursting with the flavour of the spices I would expect in a good Madras; nor did it have a real kick to it. Overall, a perfectly edible dish, just lacking – oomph.