A third Curry in six days was apparently not for Marg, Hector is driven otherwise. At the last minute, the Lahore Lunch (£8.95) became attractive, off we set, arriving at The Village “Curry House” (119 West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA) at 14.00. After an al fresco, Sri Lankan Curry at Kotthu Rotti north of the river, and I don’t know what at Zaika (Dumbarton), today it was back to the familiar. The Village continues to offer the most diverse array of Desi Curry on a daily basis.
Parked across the street from The Village, the first thing I noticed on this again dreich afternoon, the flame has gone out: Sholeh – Persian Restaurant has gone. For Hector, one visit was enough, that should reveal all, the review certainly does.
A different waitress today, we were shown to a window table. There would only be four other diners during our stay this Monday afternoon, all at the window.
Elsewhere, the seating has been radically altered, booths aplenty on to which six may sit at a squeeze, otherwise tables are grouped for parties up to eight.
For the solo diner, two small tables remain at the Nelson Street exit.
Today, the function room sat cleared of furniture. I did note the addition of the dais, a small stage.
The waitress placed the Lahore Menu on the table, I asked for the main. Achari Gosht (£13.95) was why I was here today, something intense, to resurrect the taste buds after the Chilli onslaught at Zaika.
Mushroom Rice (£3.95) continues to be my go-to accompaniment.
Marg, who earlier was sure she was not coming out for Curry-Heute, spotted Lamb Chops (£9.95) on the Lunch Menu. That was it, well not quite, Coffee after became coffee an afore: Cappuccino (£2.95).
Marg instructed the waitress: she would have the Lamb Chops at the same time as my Curry, not as a Starter per se. Also, the coffee first.
She’s having lunch in reverse, maybe ice-cream to start?
The waitress was on board, she also noted on her pad:
On-the-bone, Desi style.
Tap water would suffice today. Sorted.
And so there was coffee!
Hot-hot – as Marg likes it, and for once she hadn’t asked for it to be served this way.
Lamb Chops
Three for a tenner! Is this what we have reached? As it happens, the answer lies below.
Cremated, as we like them, a Modest Salad and Chilli Dip accompanied. Needless to say, Hector was getting none of this. Marg:
I chose Lamb Chops as a starter, asking for it to arrive with Hector’s main dish. There were three chops with a small salad of onion, pepper and leaves. The chops were well fired and the meat was succulent and full of flavour. The spices off the meat gave my mouth a real hit and I was able to nibble (gnaw) my way through the chops. I left no meat and ate some of the salad. A lovely dish with a lasting burst of flavours in my mouth.
I continued to drink my cappuccino which highlighted the spice level already in my mouth. The peppermint cream was a welcomed sweet taste to finish.
Note: at Akbar’s, one gets four Meat Chops (£7.95).
Everything did arrive together, so there was no temptation to purloin a nibble of the Chops across the table.
The hot dinner plate brought moments before the food was set aside, the Mushroom Rice was not presented in its usual bowl, so why dirty another?
Tasty Rice but the sliced Mushrooms did not make the same impact as the more robust offerings I have been enjoying of late in the West End. Still, they would fulfil their function as an – Interesting Vegetable.
Achari Gosht – Desi style
I arranged the nine pieces of Meat over the Mushroom Rice, reserving half of the viscous Masala for later. This is how I approach – Curry.
Karahi – is a different matter, and I’m certainly overdue one.
Satisfaction was instantaneous, the much loved Village Curry Taste somehow manifested itself before the Pickle. After Friday’s aforementioned Chilli onslaught, it was pleasing to note that Hector’s discerning palate was still in good form. Comfort eating, I know I could eat here every day, twenty something years ago I almost did.
The Spice built steadily to a peak which was not too testing. The Seasoning of course was spot on, it had to be, these Flavours are not attained without getting everything right.
The Tenderest of Lamb, Sucky Bones too, finger licking good. Juicy – was noted regarding the Meat, Spices emanating, Mutton-ness also. Then there was the crowning moment, a blast of Clove! Glorious. As quick as this appeared, it disappeared, I hadn’t swallowed it, I couldn’t locate it, a pulped Clove?
Whole Spice! A Desi Curry, full of Flavour. I write this more with reference to last Friday.
Of that, a Curryspondent remarked privately:
I think you got duped in Dumbarton big style!!!!
Meanwhile, back at the table, a young chap approached to ask the customary question, to which he added:
I hear you have quite a following.
The physiognomy I recognised, definitely a – Baig, had Kassif shaved off his beard and shed fifteen years?
I am Mehran, son of Archie.
Also! Clearly he was keen to chat, the Hector had to eat. I suggested we talk later.
At the end of the meal, Mr. Baig, Mein Host, and father of Shahraz, Kassif, Irram, and now Mehran, came over to greet. He is always keen to know my perception of how other Curry Houses are doing. Overheads are high, and they ain’t coming down. Akbar’s is always busy, they are licensed, for the first time Mr. Baig mentioned alcohol. Would that bring more people across the river? And as for the nearby bank, which employs thousands, allegedly, they are not walking the one block south to Nelson Street.
Have they not seen the lunchtime – Lahore Menu?
The Bill
£31.80 A £1.00 surcharge for on-the-bone, Desi style.
The Aftermath
Mehran had vanished, I asked the waitress to fetch him, it was – Daddy – who appeared first. And so quite a conversation ensued. Mehran was introduced to Curry-Heute. Mehran outlined the – Loyalty Scheme – which has been introduced at The Village, Hector has now signed up. Just a pity it was not in place for my previous 107 visits, or the inestimable ones in the years before Curry-Heute. Most of my visits are as a solo diner, to reach the £25.00 threshold, I’ll have to keep bringing Marg.
Again, with Friday in mind, I mentioned that the Laal Lahori has long disappeared from the menu at The Village. Both father and son insisted it remains: Ginger Lal Lahori Kirahi – I cannot find this on the menu.
Next time!