The majority are flying tomorrow, directly to Wroclaw for Festival Dobrego Piwa, not Hector. Flying to Berlin, then having a day en route in Poznan, ticks way more boxes. And a day in Berlin presents the opperchancity to have Curry at Punjabi Zaiqa (Tromsöer Strasse 6, 13359 Berlin Deutschland). This is how far Hector will go to secure the elusive Lamb Desi Korma.
Arriving at 15.30, Aniq, as ever, was manning the counter. Curry was on display, I still wonder how they transform this into what is served. It was only on the last Berlin trip that it was established that Aniq’s English is way better then my Deutsch. Today, no messing, I could ask for exactly what I wanted.
Lamb Desi Korma (€12.90) with Bones. Rice, no Bread. Above medium Spice, and a smaller Rice portion than is normally given. This was duly recorded. I helped myself to a litre bottle of Ginger Ale (€3.50) from the fridge. I have never had this with Curry. Indeed, it was only on RTW-80 that drinking Ginger Ale by the pint became a norm. Securing a litre bottle at this price makes a mockery of the – Splits – sold in pubs. 22ºC today, and it’s only going to get warmer. A cold, refreshing drink, joy.
I took a table at the rear of the premises. A sewing lady was beavering away at the window.
I soon realised that an accompanying chap was replacing the green seat covering with grey. No bad thing. The food did not take long to appear.
The Rice had been reigned in, a bit. Still more than I could ever eat, but today, less waste.
Lamm Korma mit Knochen
The heart sank. What was this? The karahi was full of Shorva, where was the Meat? Three pieces of Meat? OK, they were large and each piece was subsequently cut into three, but in terms of presentation, this bore no resemblance to the wonderful Curry that has made me make a beeline to Osloer Strasse every time I come to Berlin. I felt like ordering the same again to make my point.
I sampled the Shorva, a decent Spice Level, and the Seasoning was fine. The expected blast of Citrus was not happening. I ate on. Tender Lamb, but not giving anything back other than its own Meatiness. This Curry was a pale imitation of what has come before.
Towards the end, and that was coming all too soon, there was a sense of Citrus on the palate. However this Curry was far from potent in terms of Flavour. It may be a long way to Tipperary, it’s even further to Berlin. This was a disappointing visit to Punjabi Zaiqa. Next time it will be back to Lamm Karahi (€14.90), if they muck that up, words will be had.
The Bill
€16.80 (£14.29)
The Aftermath
Aniq has become used to seeing me here. I advised him that I shall be back next month. And so to the other attraction that Berlin has to offer.