Unlike two days ago, back in Poznan, today the Hector had a Curry to review. Howard’s place has been taken by James who was last tested at Akbar’s (Glasgow). Wroclaw appears to have a new Curry House on every visit, today’s was the thirteenth venue visited. Whilst the Curry Cafes are closer to the main station, the Indian Restaurants are scatted around the Old Town – Stare Miasto.
Indieflavours (Odranska 18/19 50-113 Wroclaw, Polska) is found to the north-west of the Old Town, metres from an imposing university building which will have to be investigated at another date.
A few steps down from street level, Indieflavours has a contemporary décor. The brick walls are a long way from the flock wallpaper we grew up with. Indieflavours seats around twenty.
The menu proved to be difficult to capture on camera, the varied results are as ever, posted at the foot of this post. With only three Lamb Dishes to choose from and one of them Korma (Zl47), Hector options were then two. Whilst Fish appears in the Starters section, there was no Fish Curry.
Lamb Shank Masala (Zl58) is what brought the Hector to Indieflavours, Lamb served – on-the-bone. Nihari – is what I was hoping for, the given description sounded promising: Slow-cooked Lamb shank infused with aromatic spices, drizzled with robust sauce scented with Nutmeg, Mace, Cinnamon, Bay Leaf.
I like the capitalisations, very much in the Curry-Heute style.
James, whose appetite I should envy, was having a Starter before his customary Butter Chicken (Zl36), or variation thereof. Chilli Chicken (Zl34) would precede this. People like Chicken.
To accompany, a Butter Naan (Zl11) for Hector, a Garlic & Coriander Naan (Zl13) for James. I was pleased to see a 0.75 bottle of Sparkling Water (Zl15) on offer, rehydration is always a feature of these trips. James ordered a Lemonade (Zl9).
A charming lady was front of house. There was no reaction when I ordered my main course preceded with – Nihari.
I had to bide my time to capture a photo of the interior of Indieflavours. A family group, with a remarkably quiet infant, took their leave. Here was the moment thereafter.
James’ Starter duly arrived.
Chilli Chicken
Given the price, I had warned James that this could be close to the volume of a main course. There was no surprise when a dozen-plus pieces of Chicken were presented incorporating the Big Onion Blobs and the dreaded Capsicum. Clearly a stir-fry, one wonders why this had not been served on a sizzling platter.
James waded in. It soon became apparent that he was eating the Chicken and Onion, but leaving the Capsicum. That’s my boy.
I don’t like Green Pepper – he informed me.
I assured him, that despite what is written in these pages, I actually do, and eat Capsicum often, but never with the Spices involved in the creation of Indian food. The aftermath is horrible.
I was invited to sample a piece of Chicken, it was as expected. Shrouded in the universally available red Chilli Sauce, the Flavour outcome belonged to that populous land to the east of the Indian Subcontinent. Maybe out of place in a venue which calls itself Indieflavours?
That was good – was James’ final words on his Starter as I took another photo just to prove a point.
The mains arrived without much of a gap.
The Breads were both both needlessly cut into three pieces. Risen, puffy, blistered, quality bread. I would mange two pieces.
After the Breads and Mains were brought, so two bowls of Basmati appeared. I had previously studied the menu for any refreeze of inclusive Rice, the European way. If it was there, it was lost in non-translation. My Rice bowl remained untouched. James managed both Rice and Bread. Oh to be thirty again. Question: if I eat half as much, why am I twice as large?
Butter Chicken
Behold an orange, Soupy Masala featuring a swirl of Cream, then topped with flaked Almonds. With Cashews mentioned in the description, not a Curry for anyone with a Nut allergy. The given description also mentioned – Fenugreek.
Ah, Methi! Why was there no Methi Gosht?
If this Curry was cooked as per description on the menu, then this could well be as good an interpretation of Butter Chicken as I have encountered. Not that I was about to sample it. The integrity of the Hector palate had to be retained.
James, who one day might graduate towards a more demanding Curry, ate the lot then offered these words:
Soupy, it had some sort of nuts in it. The previous chicken (Chilli) was better. This had no spice.
There’s hope, not a lot.
Lamb Shank Masala
Having seen photos online of the Lamb Shank encrusted with Spice, I had high hopes. My photo shows but a Lamb Shank smothered in the accompanying Masala. This was what it was, Nihari it wasn’t.
The Masala was the standard Euro Masala encountered throughout the Continent. Creamy, viscous, a step up from the above Dish perhaps.
Tangy – was my first observation in terms of Flavour, well maybe after – Creamy. No real depth of Flavour was my reaction. The Spice was at a decent level, the Seasoning well within acceptable parameters.
Do you like the food? – asked our hostess.
It’s OK – was my fair response.
There was nothing here not to like, so far, competent Curry.
The Meat was easily removed from the bone with a fork. A knife did then have to be employed to separate some pieces of Lamb into manageable sizes.
Super-Tender Meat, but giving back no Spice at all. Infused with aromatic spices – I was not getting this. That the Lamb Shank had been cooked separately from the Masala was not being denied here, maybe there was just a juxtaposition on the palate?
Monotonous – I found myself considering once more. It’s what one has to accept when having but Meat & Masala. Is the Hector palate moving towards Biryani/Sabzi?
As I reached my fill, so there was a burst of Flavour, from Meat or Masala I shall never know. Cumin – had become quite pronounced. Had I encountered a motherlode of Seeds? A humble start reached a more impressive finish.
The Bill
Zl176 (£35.20) For, in effect, three main courses and sundries, not bad at all.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was presented to the ever so charming Hostess who asked if I was German. The – Heute – was explained.
She also then appreciated why I had taken the exterior photo on arrival and looked forward to reading my review.
2025 Menu
