There was a family lunch at a so-called Bistro outside Banchory. It’s just as well Curry-Heute does not review over-priced cafeterias serving British Fayre. The plan, formed some weeks back, was to join Graeme R and Euan at Rehmat’s Restaurant (249 George St., Aberdeen AB25 1ED Scotland) for Curry at 18.30. By this time, lunch should have been digested. Little did I know how long it would take for lunch to be served, ninety minutes from arrival to the serving of the main course.
For Hector, Fish Karahi (£11.95) and a Plain Naan (£2.95) was still the planned meal. Ensuring I arrived first, I arranged a large table in the empty restaurant, we would be significantly more than three diners this evening. Served in the Bradford style, Fish Karahi has been Hector’s go to Curry at Rehmat’s for some time. And note, prices have not increased here since the last visit one day short of year ago.
Five further diners, none of whom had been to Rehmat’s previously, including three locals, eventually joined us. They were somewhat bemused by the ice-cream shop entrance, and the near labyrinthine walk to the restaurant at the rear of the building.
This evening, there was our group of eight and a seemingly series of birthday celebrations in a large adjacent group. Balloons aplenty.
The waitress would be kept busy. Twice I had to send her away as we were not ready to order. Ryno and Scott, the weans at the far end of the table, spotted Burgers and Nachos on the menu, cue the wind up. Their choice. We got there in the end, by which time, the Hector decided that tonight, there would be an intake of Lamb on-the-bone, the appetite, suddenly restored.
It was on re-reading my review of last year’s visit, that triggered the desire to have Punjabi Goshat (£13.50), which I have not had here for some time. Euan who has until this evening, avoided Lamb on-the-bone, followed my lead, as did Graeme D.
We would each have Rice to accompany: Hector – Mushroom Rice (£4.75), Euan – Pulao (£3.50), Graeme D – Steamed (£3.50).
Graeme R also opted for Lamb on-the-bone, the Nihari (£14.85) again having been enjoyed here previously. Mushroom Rice would accompany, so no Dipping Fest. I described how I witnessed four chaps at Sheerin Palace (Glasgow), armed with a Naan each, share, but one portion of Nihari. The Asian way of eating.
James, whose previous choices in Curry-Heute have featured wee girly Chicken Dishes, has apparently grown up since his last appearance three years ago. Tonight, he and Ryno both opted for South Indian Garlic Chilli – Lamb (£11.95).
Both ordered Pulao Rice and Bread to accompany, oh to have this capacity once again. Peshwari Naan (£4.95) for James, Garlic Naan (£3.50) for Ryno.
Scott and Donna both make their inaugural appearance in Curry-Heute. Someone this evening, had to order Chicken Curry. Chicken Karahi (£10.95) and Balti Chicken Masala (£11.50) respectively. Steamed Rice for Scott, Garlic Naan for Donna.
Eventually, we were ready to place the Order. Graeme mooted Poppadoms, thankfully there were no takers. Why add £20.00 to The Bill? If they come, they come. They didn’t. Graeme was not denied his small bottle of Cola (£2.25), the rest of us stuck to tap water. Phew!
We settled down for the wait. With the other large group and batches of deliveries being assembled, the kitchen staff were certainly being kept busy. Hot plates were brought to the table at 19.34, not bad all things considered, and a vast improvement over our collective Bistro experience earlier in the day.
The Mushroom Rice was served in a sensible portion size. Sliced Mushrooms, so not as impressive as Curry Pot (Glasgow), but the Rice itself was tasty. No need to comment on the Steamed Rice, the Pulao looked comparable to the Mushroom version.
In my first visit to Rehmat’s, the Bread did not impress, as such I have avoided it. Marg who chose to stay in with the ladies and babies has, of course, ordered Chapattis here over the years. No Chapatti/Roti (£1.20) tonight.
The Naans, or what was left of them by the time I got around the table, could well have improved, a bit. Peely-wally, and needlessly quartered, they were at least risen, puffy, and showing signs of blistering. Interestingly, two of the company would go on to liken the Naan to Pizza. For those with a sweet tooth, the interior of the Peshwari Naan may excite.
I am not going to let any visit to Aberdoom pass without highlighting that only at Rehmat’s, is Bread charged at a realistic price. Beware at all other venues.
With a table groaning with food, there was the realisation that we were one Curry short, a Punjabi Goshat. How had the, otherwise efficient and amiable waitress, not spotted that she only had brought seven main courses? Euan would have to wait for his Curry. He has a long history of disappointments, stories of which belong to the sister Blog – Bier-Traveller. If I ever get round to posting them.
Chicken Karahi
No Capsicum, the first revelation. Indeed, we managed to go through an entire meal with out this being raised. Ryno missed a trick there. Not one Curry presented tonight contained the – dreaded Ballast. In Curry-Heute, further proof of the efficacy of the fayre at Rehmat’s.
That the Chicken Karahi, and the Lamb version for that matter, is not in the Desi section of the menu puzzles. This is probably why it had yet to be ordered here, The Fish Karahi, is of course excellent, and justly occupies its place in the Desi section.
Topped with Coriander and Ginger Strips, the Masala was decidedly minimal. Better eaten with Bread of course, Scott will learn. For Hector, the Lamb version hopefully lies in the future.
Scott – The chicken karahi curry delivered bold, up-front notes of tomato and garlic, with a subtle hint of coriander lingering on the palate. The balance was spot on, with a generous ratio of tender meat to rich, well-spiced sauce that never felt overwhelming.
I was initially underwhelmed by the garlic naan, which leaned more towards pizza bread than traditional naan in both texture and flavour. That said, I was surprisingly content with my choices overall and didn’t regret skipping the nachos.
Balti Chicken Masala
Coriander, then Red Onion Rings, and more Masala, is how this Curry differentiated itself from the Karahi. Again, the Masala was on the minimal side, no Soupy Curry here. And with both of these diners and their choices appearing for the first time in Curry-Heute, a welcome addition to the coverage.
Donna – “good spice, good amount of chicken and naan was a bit pizza like”
But would go back.
Nihari
Back to the tried and tested, and served on a plate, not a handi. Topped with a threat of Coriander, Ginger Strips and a wedge of Lemon, the Lamb Shank was swimming in a sea of Shorva. By design, this Curry should be served thus. Graeme skilfully detached the super-soft Meat from its bone. A lot of eating here, and the higher price is justified.
*
Graeme R – Excellent tasty nihari. Just the right amount of ginger and spice, lamb was very succulent.
Two brief comments, things are about to change. Ryno’s following essay was composed using AI, the first time this method of cheating has been employed in Curry-Heute.
*
South Indian Garlic Chilli – Lamb
The Chicken version of this Curry has appeared before, but in the coverage of the Buffet. This was a much more menacing affair. Topped with both Coriander leaves and stems, the Masala looked to be suitably viscous. The piece of Lamb protruding was certainly large. Plenty of Meat here.
James – The food at Rehmat’s, was well presented, the southern Indian garlic chilli lamb did pack a powerful punch however, for the occasional curry goer. Peshwari naan of good size and flavour. Pilau rice – big portion! One between two would easily suffice.
Price excellent for Aberdeen compared to other establishments! And taste certainly on par.
And now for a comment as long as the flight to Australia, where I hope he goes back to, soonest, well after he buys me a pint.
Ryno – My culinary adventure this evening led me to Rehmat’s in Aberdeen, a spot that promised authentic Indian flavours. I opted for the South Indian Garlic Chilli Lamb Curry. What followed was a complex tapestry of heat, flavour, and a few notable points of critique that defined the overall dining experience.
The Star of the Show: South Indian Garlic Chilli Lamb.
From the moment the dish arrived, its rich, deep crimson hue hinted at the intensity to come. The initial spoonful was an exhilarating shockwave. This curry is not for the faint of heart; the ‘chilli’ component is a promise that Rehmat’s absolutely delivers on. The heat was potent, pervasive, and gloriously unapologetic, quickly reaching that magnificent threshold where pleasure borders on pain. It was spicy enough, in fact, to bring on the rare and delightful phenomenon of ‘eye-sweat’ – a clear sign that the chef is operating at an impressive level of heat.
However, amidst the roaring fire of chilli, there was a surprising undercurrent that was perhaps a touch too pronounced: sweetness. While a subtle sweetness can balance the fierce heat beautifully, here it leaned slightly towards being cloying, perhaps muting some of the intricate, savoury spices that I was hoping to detect beneath the capsaicin rush.
One undeniable triumph of this dish was the lamb. Rehmat’s is truly unstinting when it comes to their protein portions. The plate contained a very generous, near-luxurious amount of tender lamb, each piece succulent and cooked to perfection, melting away into the robust sauce. It felt like a truly substantial and honest serving, a clear sign of quality and value.
The Accompaniments and Atmosphere
To tame the fiery beast, I ordered the Garlic Naan. Sadly, this was the first significant misstep of the meal. The naan was disappointingly thick and overly doughy, lacking the light, airy blistered character that makes a perfect flatbread. It was closer to a dense bread than a delicate naan, and its texture didn’t quite complement the elegance of the curry.
The biggest personal drawback, however, relates to the beverage situation. A curry of this intensity screams for a crisp, cold beer – a perfect, effervescent foil to the dense, chilli-laden sauce. It was a big downer to find that Rehmat’s does not serve beer. This omission significantly hampered the overall enjoyment of such a spicy dish, forcing me to rely on water when only a hoppy brew could truly stand up to the heat.
A Glimpse of the Competition
My meal was punctuated by a flash of food envy. My brother-in-law, Scott, was enjoying the Chicken Karahi, and after stealing a small, tantalising bite, I have to admit I was a little jealous. His dish possessed a rich, aromatic depth and a savoury balance that seemed to perfectly strike the equilibrium my own curry was searching for. It stood as a tantalizing benchmark of the kitchen’s potential, suggesting that perhaps another visit is in order to explore a different corner of the menu.
Final Verdict
The South Indian Garlic Chilli Lamb is a bold, assertive dish that offers a fantastic level of heat and a truly generous portion of high-quality lamb. If you love spice and don’t mind a touch of sweetness, this dish will certainly satisfy. However, the thick naan and the lack of a beer option are minor practical points that slightly tarnish the experience. Rehmat’s clearly has the capacity for brilliance, evidenced by Scott’s enviable Karahi. I would absolutely return, perhaps just with a different main course selection next time.
Hector – I may invite you back. And what were those tinnies which magically appeared on the table? Thankfully the waitress did not charge you corkage.
Punjabi Goshat
Back in the land of the sensible, a proper Desi Lamb Curry. Topped with more stems than leaves of Coriander, this Curry was the driest served this evening. There was just enough Masala to match the Mushroom Rice.
Once decanted, the visual feast was most enticing. The customary retained Masala for the end-game, was but a spoonful on the base of the handi. Hector seeks a Dry Curry, this was its definition.
Not the greatest of starts, the first mouthful contained a whole Black Cardamom. Whole Spice, at least the – Desi – box was ticked already.
The Spice Level built as I ate. Super-soft meat, the Seasoning was even more prominent here. So few Curry Houses can served a Lamb Curry with such an infusion of Flavour in the Lamb, again – Desi – tick. The Sucky Bones were both fun and another source of Flavour.
With the final spoonful of Masala introduced to the rapidly disappearing Curry, I wondered where this appetite had suddenly come from. I have been putting off another Big Meat Curry for some ten days. The abstinence worked wonders.
The final mouthfuls, leading to every grain of Rice being cleared from the plate, were moments of realisation, the Curry at Rehmat’s delivers the – Wow!
The depth of Flavour here was impressive, a glorious Curry, and only three of eight can confirm how wonderful it was. Though Graeme R has only provided unrecorded verbal positive comments as he exited the premises.
Meanwhile, Euan was ten minutes behind. I feared Chef might just cobble together something quick. Fortunately, having Lamb on-the-bone, Euan’s Curry had to come from the same source as the two already presented.
This Punjabi Goshat was served on a plate, and had way more – Shorva-esque Masala than that served earlier. Study the periphery, not the same Curry as appears above, however, I believe Euan’s portion could well have been larger.
Euan – On the recommendation of Hector I decided to go for the Lamb Punjabi Goshat. This was a first for ordering a dish on the bone, but worth the wait despite a slight delay. The meat was cooked beautifully in a rich and robust sauce which complemented the perfectly cooked generous portion of Pilau rice. I will definitely consider the wise recommendations of Hector for further meal choices.
*
Karahi Gosht next time, Euan?
We needed an escape plan. With the waitress still attending to the large group and three more diners having arrived, she could have had some help from next door.
We were paying individually, so there no was no total for us all. Instead, the waitress cleverly had a separate Bill for each of us.
Hector’s Bill
£18.25 The five first-timers were each amazed at how little they paid, especially after the Banchory Bistro earlier. There is value to be had in Aberdoom, here, at Rehmat’s Restaurant.
The Aftermath
Having found the exit, eight strode up towards Union Street. Did Ryno buy Hector a Bier? Aye right.