Today, the last of our three Gazpacho gigs, this time in Deutschland. We had intended to spend a second night in Frankfurt am Main and take a late S Bahn back from the venue, Das Rind, Rüsselsheim. Die Bahn had other ideas. No trains running after 21.00. And so, after Curry-Heute, a short train ride west to accommodation not conceived of when this extravaganza was all booked some months back.
Lahore Kebab Haus (Münchener Strasee 39, 60329 Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland) was recommended by the chaps at Desi Dhaba (Aachen) two days ago. Lahore Kebab Haus happens to be the only Frankfurt Curry House already reviewed in Curry-Heute, some thirteen years ago, Perhaps Hector has an instinct for these things. However, the Curry that day was hardly impressive.
After a late check-our from the Ibis around the corner, we entered Lahore Kebab House at 14.00, the first diners of the day. Two more groups would arrive thereafter. A waitress greeted us in Deutsch, the response was in English. Establish the parameters.
Lahori Karahi (€23.90) is what I was anticipating having, served on-the-bone, it could be authentic Desi fayre. But look at the next item on the menu – Lamm Korma (€21.90.
The Topping of Nuts aside, the Masala in the picture was dark, thick, possibly the elusive Desi Qorma. Had the Hector just found a third source of this Curry in Deutschland, and the second this week?
Marg was swithering between Samosa Chat (€9.50) and Veg Pakora (€7.50). She was certain that Salad was required. Lahori Kahumber Salat (€9.50) was a consideration. Simpler Salads were displayed on the menu, however, on my version, some had been scored out. The full menu appears, eventually, at the foot of this post. The waitress advised, that Salad would come – Kostenlos, maintaining the great German tradition of serving a Side Salad with every meal. Pakora it would be, sorted.
With minimal English from our server, and minimal Deutsch on my part, I did my best to establish that this Curry was in fact the Desi Qorma, not the bland Creamy-Coconut interpretation that is eschewed in these pages. An above medium Spice Level was sought, medium-plus – was my attempt. At this point I became worried that the waitress was recording two Lamm Kormas. She insisted otherwise.
The Lamm Korma comes with both Rice and Bread, I managed to cancel the Rice.
A 0.75l bottle of Sparkling Water (€6.50) completed the Order. To have everything arrive together was the next challenge. Zusammen, a useful word.
When the waitress related the Order to the kitchen I again was convinced I heard Lamm Korma being said twice. She showed me what she had written.
Alles ist in Ordnung.
The inclusive Salads arrived first. Marg could have both, her mission well underway. 
Two Dips accompanied a mass of Pakora, the Hector would have to assist.
Veg Pakora
Eight large pieces of Pakora sat on the platter, the garnish included a whole Green Chilli. Marg would not be having that.
Pakora in Deutschland usually looks peely-wally, today’s had a unusually thick coating of Batter. Dissection revealed good chunks of Potato and Onion but no Coriander Leaves or Coriander Seeds as published in the Curry-Heute recipe. Still, tasty, Spicy, this was a fine version of Vegetable Pakora.
Marg:
I asked for a Salad dish with my Vegetable Pakora. Eight pieces of Pakora, of different sizes, and I struggled to finish it all.
Very fresh and hot, and I found some of them doughy, but still tasty. I piled the Salad on my main dish and used the Raita and Mango dips with the Pakora pieces. The Salad gave moisture with crunchy cucumber, red onion, lettuce and chopped tomatoes. A sprinkle of coriander leaves added to the flavour. A full dish.
Any thought of having another piece were quelled when a chap brought the Curry and Naan. The heart sank faster than a pebble dropped in a pond.
Our waitress left the premises.
The Naan was fine. Served whole, with perforations having restricted its rising in the centre, the puffier edges saved the day. Not the largest of Naan, but for reasons that shall unfold, I managed little more than half.
Lamm Korma
This is not a Desi Qorma, this was not what I desired, this was not what I thought I had ordered. Behold, a Creamy, Soupy Curry. A Curry fit for a Marg, not a Hector.
The first dip of the Naan in the yellow Masala surprised. Creamy yes, perhaps a hint of Coconut Milk in there, but this was not the standard Korma served up across the planet. There was a good – kick – medium plus had been achieved. The Seasoning was spot on, a seriously flavoursome Curry. The Meat count reached double figures, what’s more, some were on-the-bone.
Exactly what was this that sat before me? Not what I thought I had ordered. Not a standard Korma. It was a Curry I could actually enjoy, and so could my wife. A Desi Creamy Curry?
The chap came over to ask the customary question. The Hector was ready.
I was expecting a Desi Qorma, the photo on your menu shows a dark Masala.
I will tell him – was the response. He went to the kitchen then returned.
Chef thought you wanted mild.
That was nonsense, I had seen the written Order, I had heard it being relayed.
I was offered a replacement. An honourable offer, but having eaten half of my Curry, I could not possibly eat another.
Bring me a small portion of what Chef can do – was my suggested compromise.
Curry #2
Six pieces of Meat, a Sucky Bone, Green Chilli and pieces of Tomato, sat in a Tomato-based Masala. Karahi Gosht! The Curry I had originally planned to order.
The Meat was more chewy, and initially was giving back more than just its own meatiness, however, this faded. The Seasoning here was less than the Korma, and had less of a – kick – also. If I was a local here, then the tweaks which became standard at the much missed Karahi Palace (Glasgow) would have put this Curry right up there.
More Methi, a little bit more Salt!
Once again, my verdict was sought.
Karahi Gosht, I like this.
A good note to end on. The Naan long abandoned, I encouraged Marg to sample the Korma. She took some of the Masala:
Creamy with a kick – observed Marg – my ideal choice.
There would be an embarrassing surplus of Lamb left over. Once upon a time I could have managed all of this, no more.
The Bill
€35.90 (£31.28)
The Aftermath
Last time here, I did not present a Calling Card, unusual. It is even more unusual to present one for a second visit. The Calling Card was well received and Assad, who had rescued the day, was well taken by the appearance of the exterior on visit #1. He took the Oppo to the kitchen where the owner’s brother and Chef were in situ. Same owners then, so quite a transformation in décor, and from a Curry Cafe with ready meals on display, to a restaurant.
It was confirmed that a Lamb Qorma, Desi-style is part of their fayre.
We are honoured to have you back – was the concluding remark.
Frankfurt am Main, not the most exciting of German cities, so who knows when I’ll be back.
Gazpacho + HamaSaari – Rüsselsheim
Why it took me until two nights ago to realise that staying a single night in Rüsselsheim was the optimum means of seeing Gazpacho for the final time on this tour, and not have to dash away at the end of the gig, well, the Hector got there in the end.
Doors at Das Rind, another famous European venue, opened at 19.00. We were near the front of the queue and so nabbed a place stage left, three from the front. Das Rind has no balcony, this is important information that nobody else apparently wishes to divulge, so a standing venue only. Standing for four hours, a challenge.
An hour’s wait before HamaSaari took to the stage. The band were assembled at the merchandise stall, Hector, sporting their t-shirt was duly acknowledged. The only person dressed as such.
HamaSaari
With the drums stage left, and Gazpacho’s keyboard set up stage right, the opposite of the previous two shows, tonight, a different perspective.
Guitarist, Axel Vaumoron would therefore be directly in front of us, with bass player Jonathan Jupin stage right, sometimes central, behind, then Jordan Jupin, vocals and guitar, centre stage. They don’t look like brothers. The Physicist, on drums, Élie Chéron,
At Verviers, expecting the same set as on the previous night at Boerderij, I wondered why I didn’t recognise very much. Tonight, HamaSaari again kick off with Frames from their second, and latest album, Pictures. The jumping about ritual confirmed this. Thereafter, the Hector was lost. Six songs tonight, three from Pictures, three from Ineffable. When Jordan Jupin himself, sends you the set-list it guarantees getting things right, a doozy.
Jumping about, from our high vantage point at Boerderij, we couldn’t help notice that Les Jupins took to the stage barefoot, a la Steven Wilson. This evening, Jonathan sported thongs, whilst Jordan was in trainers. These were cast off after after Frames, and subsequently the socks came off mid song. Respect for someone who can take their socks off standing up, never mind wearing a guitar and playing music. Lost In Night (P) was followed by White Pinnacles (I), Bleak (I), Our Heads Spinning (P) and finally Prognosis (I). Prognosis had maintained its spot as the final song, complete with the thankfully brief growling sequence, though the giveaway that tonight’s set was different was some growling in an earlier song.
Having now had the opperchancity to listen to all of Pictures, the album, it certainly impresses. The acoustic guitar intro to Below The Lightnings took me by surprise. The studio vocals/harmonies are powerful. Whilst the Shoegaze/Buzzsaw guitar sound is thankfully present, the growling is way less than feared, dismissible even. What we have here is quite a varied collection of well structured songs, with – space. The Hector seeks – space. Melody aplenty not – wee tunes. Whilst HamaSaari may wear their influences on their sleeves, there is more than enough originality here to make one want to hear more. Ineffable may well be purchased soonest.
I had asked Marg that the moment HamaSaari left the stage, to park her bum on the edge, claim the space. This gave Hector a few minutes respite, the full weight off the feet, and a photo of Marg from a different perspective. Three simultaneous opperchancities fulfilled.
With the projections fully restored, the intro music cut off – Suppers Ready – just on 21.00. The set-list, placed on the stage in front of our noses, was confirmed as the same as Verviers, no Bravo as in Boerderij. Well, that was the plan.
Gazpacho
On listening to the new album Magic 8-Ball for the first time, I admit to cringing when I heard the electronic vocals at the start of We Are Strangers. As a means of kicking off the show, it makes sense, blending the tape of this into the introduction as the band members take to the stage.
Kristian Torp, who as well as playing some excellent bass leads, had his microphone set to fill in the distorted vocal harmony mid song. In the last two shows, I have not paid Kristian enough compliments for his backing vocals.
Soyuz One and Golem, the two songs I hadn’t heard before Boerderij, were taking on a sense of familiarity. There was a slight hiatus when Mikael Kromer broke a string on his six string guitar. Kristian to the rescue. We had expected to be standing at the feet of guitarist, our our new best friend, Joan-Arne Vilbo, however, instead we would be within touching distance of multi- instrumentalist Mikael this evening. Marg solved a little problem when Mikael could not manoeuvre the guitar lead off his set-up. Marg’s little fingers to the rescue. Our problem this evening was line of sight. Thomas Andersen on keyboard and drummer Robert Johansen were pretty much obscured throughout the gig.
Back to the new album, Gingerbread Men and – Magic 8-Ball, before Hector’s Highlight –The Walk, both parts. After Starling, Mikael declared he had a major problem. A complete reboot was required for all his equipment. Without him, there is no Upside Down, both electric mandolin and violin provide the sounds which make this set highlight, the absolute standout. Instead, Mikael basically left the stage whilst all was sorted and the band brought Sky King forward. But not before Jan-Henrik Orme, vocals, maestro, had to attempt a bit of stand-up. Crowd interaction, at a Gazpacho gig? Over three nights, I have never known audiences to show such respect for the music, no chatter, no needless calling out to ruin the moment.
Lots of close-up photos of Jan-Henrik tonight, no apologies. Nether Marg nor Hector captured the moment when he turned to his left and beamed down at the both of us.
With Upside Down and the three parts of Tick Tock to conclude the main set, I had to wonder where had the time gone?
Defense Mechanism, and my now, new favourite Winter Is Never, were once again the encores.
Five tracks from Tick Tock, Hector has now purchased Wind, Sand and Stars, the book which inspired this album.
Under Plan A, we would probably have been heading for the door at the end of the show. Mysteriously, no trains tonight, Plan B would have had us try to find a bus to Mainz. With our hotel, one block away from Das Rind, time to hang out. Firstly, with Gazpacho’s road manager, well that is the status I am awarding him. Having spotted him out front over the three nights, time to engage. The swapping of sides was explained, stage left has more depth, more room for the drum kit.
He was not on Cruise To The Edge last year, but will be in 2027. CTTE t-shirts were aplenty this evening. We talked to a Swiss lady who lived near Lorelei. There’s a festival I missed out on, just how does one get back to a hotel? Anyway, Lorelei is no more.
The HamaSaari t-shirt once again caught the attention of each band member as they passed. Jordan stopped for the photo. Finally, Jon-Arne came over, chat #3, a passer by insisted on taking this photo.
With nights in Bamberg and München to follow, the focus of this trip will be back to Bier and Curry. If Riverside ever perform as a band again, the Hector will be there, and so will his wife. When Gazpacho next tour, I suspect Marg will need no persuasion.
Thank you all for the music, and the after-gig conversations made it all the more memorable.
Lahore Kebab House menu – 2026
