The news that Bräugier in Berlin would cease trading at the end of this month only reached Hector last weekend. Having established that tonight, a Friday, would be – the last locals’ night – flights and accommodation were booked. Short notice, not the Hector way, but such has been Bräugier’s impact on Berlin’s Bier scene, this party was not to be missed.
A two day trip only, there would be Curry first, at Punjabi Zaiqa (Tromsöer Strasse 6, 13359 Berlin Deutschland), of course. Nowhere else comes close. BVG, the Berlin transport association are on strike, no trams or U Bahn, this made getting to Osloer Strasse a challenge. The S Bahn, part of DB was unaffected, however, services to the suburbs are not duplicated. Schönholz S Bahnhof proved to be the closest I could get, just the half hour walk down Provinstraße. It took forty minutes, attempted shortcuts took me to dead ends. Had I tried this yesterday, there would still have been icy pavements, but today’s rapid rise in temperature had removed the danger. It was a sweaty blob that arrived at Punjabi Zaiqa at 19.10.
There was a sense that Chef may have recognised me, it was a new young chap who took the Order.
Lamm Desi Korma (€12.90) mit Knochen, scharf, kleines Reis, ohne Brot.
(Lamb Desi Korma, with Bones, Spicy, small Rice, no Bread.)
I helped myself to a large bottle of Fanta (€3.50) and took a table mid room.
One other diner sat nearby, a couple too at a booth table at the rear.
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The orientation of the tables has changed, now everyone at this end of the room can see the TV.
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The video plays on a loop, the mountains of Pakistan, glacial scenery, glacial meltwater. Calm, Hector, you are retired.
The wait was appropriate, Chef brought the food. The – Desi Korma – aroma wafted as he arranged the Curry and Rice on the table. Small Rice?
It’s Europe, Hector, it’s not Rice as we know it.
Possibly inclusive, a nominal €2.90 appears on the menu, maybe for those who need more. More?
I took more than I would normally manage from the handi.
It was nine hours since Marg served me Porridge before driving me through to Edinburgh Airport.
Lamm Korma
Look at that Masala, this is Curry!
The abundant Masala is a feature of this Dish. Thicker than a Shorva, but definitely a – Soupy Curry – it’s this Special Masala which makes the meal. With Karahi, Bread, I feel this Curry demands Rice. I counted ten pieces of Meat of varying size as I arranged the Lamb on the Rice. I spooned but a fraction of the Masala, standards must be maintained. The remainder would be required later, as and when the Meat had been dealt with.
The wedge of Lemon should only add to the sense of Citrus which is the primary Flavour one seeks. The Yoghurt does its work here too, creamy flecks highly visible in the Masala. Kosher, this Curry is not.
Surprisingly, it was a blast of Coriander that hit the palate first. This wonderful Herb was strewn through the Masala. Big Spice, good Seasoning, the pleasure receptors were in a happy place, a definite – Wow!
Huge Flavours, Whole Cloves were unearthed. Another definite sign of – Desi – was the Meat which was saturated. Meat giving of both Spice and Flavour, the Desi criteria being progressively met.
Fingers were employed as required, have to get all the Meat off the bones. No Sucky Bones, the occasional splinters, danger. More Meat, more Masala, order another Curry? These thoughts flashed through the mind. There was still all this Rice on the plate, the remaining Masala was called upon. A few grains would be left after-all. Prolong the pleasure, I cannot be here all the time. It’s seventeen days until my next visit, unless I come back tomorrow.
The mouth was on fire by the end, that was a mighty, rare Korma.
The Bill
€15.90 (£13.14) Sterling has improved against the Euro.
The Aftermath
A casual wave in the direction of Chef. I have read that the original chaps I met on the first visits have gone. Some dispute that standards have been maintained, what do they know?
Google suggested Bus 125 would take me part of the way back to Schönholz. No buses were running today. The walk back, at Hector’s brisk pace, was completed in less than the claimed twenty nine minutes. A change of S Bahn at Bornholmer Straße saw me arrive at Prenzlauer Allee in matter of minutes.
Bier-Traveller will cover the rest of this day, eventually.