A 14.00 rendezvous with Dr. Stan at Kabana (22 Back Turner St., Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 1FR England) was the original plan. This was brought forward to 13.40, as Marg, Hector, Josh, plus Lord Clive and Lady Maggie of Crawley couldn’t wait any longer. As it happened, Dr. Stan did not make it before 14.00, Prof. Graeme beating him by a few minutes. An assembly of seven, good for business.
Rice and Three (£9.00) is what Hector had in mind for today, however on seeing Kofta (£7.00) on the Board, that was postponed. I did check with Rizwan, Mein Host, that the Kofta was actually – Kofta Anda. The presence of the hard-boiled Egg makes all the difference. This would also allow a Nan (£1.00) for a change, no Rice. Marg, whose bowl of Porridge earlier was even larger than yesterday’s, limited her Order to being another snack. A Vegetable Samosa (£1.50) and Indian Tea (£3.00).
Kofta
Three Meatballs, and half a hard-boiled Egg were smothered in a blended Masala. The Spices in the Masala brought out the root Kabana Flavour. There was also quite a – kick. Whole Black Peppercorns also played their part. The Seasoning seemed low initially, but felt fine as I ate on.
Perhaps the combination of Naan with the Masala had achieved the required level of satisfaction.
Rizwan brought a plateful of Foliage, this added an extra and marked dimension to the Dish. Now it was full on.
Dissecting the Kofta, the interior was pale, so Chicken Mince was deduced.
Then there was the Egg, the white and the yolk, two contrasting Textures. So much going on here. The Naan, served whole, delightfully light and fluffy, was disappearing rapidly. Where did it go? Marg found the Masala to be to her liking, she paid quite a few visits to my bowl. For once, an entire Naan would be consumed, a second was even considered, sense prevailed.
Vegetable Samosa
A substantial Samosa served with Salad, Raita and Onions. Rizwan’s bucket of Onions is something to behold. Stored at the counter front of house, visually unappealing perhaps, but oh the taste!
Marg: Ordered a snack today. The Vegetable Samosa was lukewarm but went well with the moist Salad and onions. I did enjoy dipping the pastry into Hector’s Kofta Sauce. The Samosa was full of potato and peas with spices.
No comment supplied for the Indian Tea.
The Bill
£12.50 … for Marg & Hector.
Meanwhile at other tables
Keema Peas & Keema Nan
The Keema (£7.00) had more peripheral Oil than one might hope for. A moist interpretation of this fine Dish. The Keema Naan (£5.00), served whole was a meal in itself.
An interior photo was secured, this is how such a Naan should be, discrete grains of Mince. Clive’s Keema with more Keema is one of his all time favourites.
Clive: One of the Spicer, Keema Mutter, portion size, it was enough, had it been twice the size, I would have eaten it.
Maggie and Josh independently had ordered the same combination of Curry and Bread.
Karahi Lamb on-the-bone with Garlic Nan
Served in a bowl, the Masala in the Karahi Lamb (£7.00) dominates, served with Rice, much of the liquid is immediately absorbed. Two entirely different ways of having this Curry. Yesterday, Hector had this with Rice. I suspect Josh had the better of the two portions.
The Garlic Naan, again served whole, had an almost orange hue. Rich in Garlic, for those who wish to risk the Garlic overwhelming their actual Curry, so be it.
Maggie: A small bowl of lamb in the bone. Not as much meat as I recall. Mostly fat/gristle. Still tasted amazing. Garlic Naan, very garlicky. Cooked fresh.
Josh: Welcoming as always, a fair selection but the Karahi Lamb on-the-bone is always a winner. Certainly had a kick in the spice department but nothing too overpowering, still leaving warmth in the palate.
The Lamb beautifully cooked, falling off the bone with ease, soft and tender. Accompanied by a Garlic Naan as Rice isn’t really my preference. Decent size, soft and fluffy, easy to tear. In all, another great food experience in one of Manchester’s finer Curry establishments.
Prof. G, one of four arriving in Manchester today, arrived whilst we were ensconced. Having studied the Board and our plates, he was swithering between Karahi Lamb and Kofta. Rizwan had a solution – have both! A Rice and Two (£9.00) was therefore provided. Prof. G. had never considered such an outcome, and was well impressed. And that was before he was sent back to the counter to secure the Foliage.
Rice & Two
Prof G: Friendly service, great value , combo of Lamb Karahi & Kofta hit the spot, great flavour.
Finally, Dr. Stan arrived, the window table nearest the door became his. We were now seven spread across three tables. Dr. Stan likes his Rice and Three (£9.00), today he too was not missing out on the Kofta, what a plateful.
Rice & Three
Kofta, Karahi Lamb, Spinach and Potatoes
Smorgasbord or Buffet, perhaps this was the ultimate creation?
Dr. Stan: Tasty and spicy Lamb Karahi well complemented by the Kofta Anda and Spinach Potatoes. The three curry rice is always an excellent and satisfying choice.
*
The Aftermath
Rizwan was advised that tomorrow the plan is that some will be partaking in another style of Curry on Cheetham Hill Road. The likelihood is, some will be back on Thursday.
With all payments complete, we took our leave. Howard had just arrived, #8.
