It was in Brescia, back in 2017, where Hector found his first true, and outstanding, Desi Curry in Italia at Bombay Tandoory Ristorante Indiano (Via Solferino, 1, 25122 Brescia BS Lombardia, Italia). Steve joined Hector in Brescia in 2018 for the Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) gig, all was well: great show, still great Curry. In the interim years there was an apparent 
closure then a re-opening at another location – Via dei Mille 9, 25122, Brescia BS.
With a Ryanair flight back from Bergamo on Monday, there was the opperchancity to investigate all things Curry once more in Brescia. This called for Hector Holmes.
Arriving from Roma late afternoon, our hotel just happened to be metres from the original Bombay Tandoory on Via Solferino, branded as Donar Kebab Hallal as it was back in 2017-8, but Onar Kebab Hallal on Google Maps. We walked up the ring road to the reportedly new locus, arriving around 17.00. Bombay Tandoory had gone, replaced by a Sri Lankan restaurant – Caio Broo, who it seems have moved here from the other side of the station.
Next door lies Punjabi Dhaba / Bhopal Palace (Via dei Mille 15/A, 2512 Brescia BS, Italia) which I had already planned to visit on Sunday. Their online menu shows a mean looking Fish Curry. I reckoned – Fish for dinner – should be safe the day before I flew.
As I took the external photo at Punjabi Dhaba, so one of two chaps sitting in the doorway expressed his annoyance. Tough. Walking into this maze of a venue, there was more than a sense of this not being the normal Curry House. Noise, laughter, hysteria, three women having Prosecco through the back.
Between us and them, the counter with Curry on display a la typical Curry Cafe, and a line of others having a Bier, or two.
In the space at the rear, two other ladies sat quietly having Pasta. Another room off, had two diners and the sound of disco music. Here too was a derelict looking bar, and some teenagers, the source of the noise, take your pick. We decided to associate ourselves with the Pasta Ladies and hope the Prosecco Trio would rein it in. Many a Curry House across Europe tries to promote itself as a bar and also a restaurant, I have never seen so many people in an Indian restaurant and not have Curry.
A chap, Mein Host, brought the menu. This bore little/no resemblance to what I had seen online, no Fish Curry. The cover of the menu said – Bhopal Palace. It didn’t take Hector Holmes too much research to establish that this menu is identical to that of the much grander Bhopal Palace, 32km away in Borgo San Giacomo. They must be (Via) Don Francesco’s brother. Punjabi Dhaba, with Mainstream Chicken Curry dominating, there wasn’t much evidence that this Curry House was serving food associated with the banner over their door.
2025 Bhopal Palace Menu
Marg was hoping for meal #2 later, after Aperitivo, what chance? Vegetable Pakora (€4.00) and a Mango Lassi (€3.00) would do her for the moment. With only one Lamb Curry on the menu, the choice was simple: Lamb Curry (€10.00). Jera Rice (€3.00) could add a bit more to the overall enjoyment.
Marg asked that all food could come simultaneously.
The menu gave options for Spice Level, I decided to take the chance – Vindaloo. Surely this scale is way out of date, who orders – Madras? Principiante – translates as – Beginner. Try using that in a Glasgow Curry House.
During the wait, I secured some photos, the Prosecco Trio ordered more, and to temper their screechy hysteria, some Pasta; the quiet ladies departed. Were we at the right movie? Zam Zam (Roma) was quite an experience earlier in the week, this was something else. I know which atmosphere I prefer.
The arrival of the Mango Lassi was a hoot. A 0.3l Erdinger glass, visually deceptive as a Weizen glass is, but seemingly loads. The Bayerische table covers almost had me asking for Festbier!
Inevitably, the Vegetable Pakora arrived moments later.
Vegetable Pakora
Ten good sized pieces of Pakora, plus a tiddler, these definitely did not come from the Cumbernauld (Scotland) Pakora factory. Their irregular shapes and light appearance made me think that this Pakora might have been once cooked only. Marg thought otherwise. Hector’s Soupçon revealed fresh tasting Pakora with a decent Spice Level and not doughy. Pakora abroad is hit and miss, I would call this a – hit. Marg:
We walked into a very noisy eating establishment, sat in the quieter area, although surrounded by women with fizzy wine. My plate had a generous amount of Vegetable Pakora on a bed of shredded lettuce, it was hot. I enjoyed the crispy pieces of onion, potato and batter. I needed the sweet chilli sauce to dip the larger pieces into It was too dry without it.
I had ordered Mango Lassi as well. It arrived in a large Erdinger glass with ice cubes. Unfortunately, it was quite watery as a result.
Enjoyable food, in a very unusual atmosphere.
Unusual – says Marg, after Zam Zam (Roma)?
In time, Hector’s Curry arrived.
The Jeera Rice was an ample portion, more than I could eat, but not at the usual level of Euro-wastage. Lukewarm, the Rice could have been served a lot hotter.
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Lamb Curry
Lamb on-the-bone, always the preferred way. Ten pieces of Meat sat in a Soupy Masala. A thinly textured Masala displaying no sign of either Onion or Tomato, or Whole Spice. A Masala such as this disappoints, one that could easily have come from a packet of Laziza, or similar, Spice Mix. A big Spice Level but moderately Seasoned, the obvious lack of depth of Flavour left little to enthuse about. In time, two Green Cardamom were encountered, I know that these can appear in Packet Curry mixes.
This Curry proved to be all about the Meat. Super-soft, the Lamb was certainly packing Flavour, the Seasoning was to the fore here also. Meat which gives, always a plus. How this Curry had been cooked, I can only imagine, the Meat and Masala had little in common. Meat 1v0 Masala.
The Bill
€23.00 (£20.04)
The Aftermath
The Calling Card presented and Curry-Heute outlined, Mein Host asked what I though of his Curry.
The Meat was excellent, the Masala was lacking: Cinnamon, Clove…
And so we departed, leaving the locals to enjoy their party.
Normally, in Curry-Heute, this would be the end of a post, not in Brescia.
Later, as we crossed the road to Hotel Igea, I decided to give Donar Kebab Hallal a closer look, albeit in the dark.
The Bombay Tandoory menu boards were still hanging on the wall outside. I couldn’t let it lie.
Sunday, 12.30, we walked into Donar Kebab Hallal.
Do you sell Indian food?
The young lady behind the counter confirmed they did. Options were few. As on visit #2, I took the Chicken Hearts on display to be Liver, and so chose the alternative: Polo Curry (€7.00), with separate Rice. The Vegetable Rice on display looked to be just the job.
The wonderful Lamb Curry which brought me back to Brescia, and Bombay Tandoory in particular, is no longer on the menu.
For Marg, Desi Nashta! Anda Bhurji (€5.00) makes its first appearance in Curry-Heute. Marg was swithering between this and an omelette. That I was able to confirm that – Anda – is Egg, definitely swung it.
For drinks, Fanta for Hector, a bottle of water for Marg.
At this point I decided to go for it and establish what was going on. Bombay Tandoory, I was told, has been ever-present at this locus, the Via dei Mille shop was theirs, but as established yesterday, is now a Sri Lankan restaurant.
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The only diner present on our arrival soon departed. He was soon replaced by two mature ladies who I thought were just here for the wine They did order Fish, which of course, came with chips. I was amused to hear the discussion about how chilled they wanted their red wine, not – if. Red Wine at room temperature, there’s another myth that needs debunked.
A glass each, and they were well on their way. Every restaurant, bar and coffee shop I have been to in Brescia in the last twenty hours or so, has been full of a loud women, for some reason, screeching away in Italian. 
Anda Bhurji
Scrambled Eggs in Onion and Tomato, something different. No complaints from Marg, she soon devoured this:
Nearly chose an omelette, but decided to try Anda Bhurji. When it arrived it was lovely and hot, full of flavour. The scrambled egg had onion, tomato, cheese and coriander. It was very salty and very tasty.
Karrah!
Vegetable Rice
Peas and diced Carrots were the Vegetables mixed through the Rice which had been suitably Spiced. Well Seasoned, this was a highly flavoured Rice. As ever the quantity would defeat me, just.
Polo Curry
Seven small-ish pieces of Chicken, served on-the-bone, sat in an Oily Shorva. After yesterday’s dubious Masala at Punjabi Dhaba, the Hector was back on more familiar ground. This was a proper Shorva, but sadly, having ordered the Rice, it soon disappeared.
The alternative, dipping Bread would have overcome this, too late. The positive outcome: the Tasty Rice became even tastier.
Marg took a Soupçon and pronounced – Cloves!
That I was not getting, Cumin perhaps.
As for the Chicken, it did all it could.
The Bill
€20.00 (£17.37)
The Aftermath
I showed photos of the staff from previous visits, these chaps were known but nothing more was being given away.
Google’s pathetic – Onar Kebab Hallal – was acknowledged, they seemed unaware that this could be fixed. I think I may have managed it, however, Google have now relocated Bombay Tandoory from its Via dei Mille locus to metres from here, and have declared it closed.
It’s just as well there’s a well known and reliable Curry Blog with a determined author.
After an afternoon at Lago d’Iseo, we retired to watch The Famous draw at Falkirk. It was clear there would be repercussions, just how quickly matters developed was not really a surprise, it had been coming for 123 days.
