The Man From Bradford is in Ayr. Residing here for a few days is better value than a hotel in Glasgow, he insists. Bradford is in Yorkshire.
This meant that Marg, Hector and Dr. Stan could once again visit Priya – Authentic Indian Kitchen (58 Sandgate, Ayr KA7 1BX) even though today is not January 1st. Four of us entered Priya just after 17.00, we had the choice of any table in the otherwise empty restaurant. Any table that is, except the one with the pad showing the cricket. A Tuesday evening, more diners would arrive.
Having sampled the Chef’s Authentic Dishes on my first two visits, time to move down the Curry page. Here, too many options included Peppers in their description. Tender Lamb Achari (£12.95) stood out, by omission, this should be safe from the Dreaded Ballast. The Coriander Naan (£4.45) impressed last time, let’s have another. Marg too sought something markedly different from her Keema Aloo Mutter yesterday at Yadgar (Glasgow). Vegetable Patiya (£9.95) fitted the bill, accompanied by a Tandoori Roti (£1.95).
Dr. Stan and The Rickmeister both opted for Rara Gosht (£13.95), a Curry neither had experienced, and Marg’s choice on previous visits here. Featuring both Lamb and Lamb Mince, a Curry that was first seen in the very south of England and has worked its way north. For Ricky a Naan (£3.95) and for once, no tantrum about having to pay for Bread in a Curry House. Instead, Dr. Stan was on the receiving end for ordering Rice with his Curry. Dr. Stan has caught the Mushroom Rice (£3.95) bug, evidently.
Tap Water for the chaps, Marg and Hector would share a large bottle of Sparkling Water (£3.95).
With my back to the kitchen, I could not observe the activity through the large window which divides the room. Instead, I wondered who the solo chap was at the farthest away table, and what was he having?
There was an appropriate wait. The waitress duly assembled the Order at the table.
Whilst the Plain Naan was served whole, had risen and was decidedly puffy, the Coriander Naan had everything: the perfect teardrop, pointy tip, and a mass of foliage. I had suggested to Dr. Stan that we could share a Naan, this offer was eventually withdrawn. Marg had a strip, the Hector managed the rest. Eating almost a whole Naan? A combination of starving oneself all day and the Bread being a manageable size. That Marg came in search of more Bread was due to having finished her Roti. Again served whole, round and well-fired, not the smallest Roti ever seen. And Marg had breakfast already.
The Mushroom Rice looked minuscule on arrival. Once decanted, the quantity looked reasonable, just enough. Fresh Mushrooms, the Hector would have enjoyed this.
Tender Lamb Achari
The large piece of Green Pepper stared at the Hector in the most menacing manner possible. Coupled with that, the big blobs of Onion. These ingredients are why Karahi is passed over in so many restaurants. At Priya, these are not mentioned in the description of their Karahi, now I wonder.
A small karahi, footery, but still it was deemed there was little point decanting to the plate. The Meat count of six decent sized pieces may not be accurate. Achari is all about the Pickle, and this Curry had the required distinctive Flavour. Well Seasoned, with an above average Spice Level, in terms of Flavour, there was nothing here not to like. However, the offending piece of Capsicum was not alone. Many pieces, multiple colours, cast aside, a debris pile accumulated. What was this doing in my Curry? Tender Meat, not dry, the Hector was not regretting ordering Lamb, again. Still, I need a break from this Meat.
The Lamb gone, the proportion of Onion to Masala was unfavourable. In Curry-Heute, large pieces of Onion are not classed as an – Interesting Vegetable. The Naan may have saved the day, Coriander to the fore.
In the end, one karahi, wiped clean, an empty breadbasket, a rarity.
Vegetable Patiya
The Curry-Heute Campaign – dismisses unnecessary – Red – almost as much as needless – Ballast. On the famed Curry Course from which – Hector’s Curry Recipes – were derived, the red food dye was quickly dropped. It was soon realised that Lamb Patia does not work, em, Chicken Patia works much better, and so the verdict on today/’s Vegetable Patiya was keenly awaited. Marg:
I chose Vegetable Patiya for the first time. Very red in colour and could see cauliflower, peas, carrots & potatoes in the sauce. Very sweet in flavour and although I enjoyed the vegetables I found it thin and not very filling. Finished my Tandoori Roti and ended up having some of the Coriander Naan and the plain naan on the table.
Rara Gosht
This is the third review of Rara Gosht in these pages, fourth technically. A Thick Masala in appearance due to the Keema, little attention was paid as to what the protruding green bits may have been. Ricky was first to comment.
Looks like a Bradford Curry – said The Man from Bradford – not soupy.
Avoiding a Soupy Curry is paramount, unless one is in a South Indian restaurant and then one has to expect the inevitable. To the above, he added:
‘Twas indeed OK, and the Naan was almost worth £4.00.
Dr. Stan offered his observation:
Tender lamb and keema making a rich meaty and spicy masala. The portion of tasty mushroom rice was a touch small, maybe a roti as well next time.
One can conclude that portions at Priya are not huge. Maybe even a share of Starter could be considered.
Mein Host had entered the restaurant mid meal. We have only met twice and so I gave him a clue.
With reference to the blue sky and sunshine – This makes a change from being here at New Year.
That we were all enjoying our meals was confirmed, however I had to draw his attention to the growing pile of debris beside my karahi.
I shook my head – I like Capsicum, but never in Curry.
The reply explained the menu:
I love peppers in my curry!
So it goes.
The Bill
£64.60, reduced to £49.62 – 50% off main courses!
Priya do have special offers, however their website gives no clue as to what they are or when they are available. Tuesday, 17.00 in April, looks like a good time to be here. Today, we had won a watch.
The Aftermath
A quiet departure, then it was time to go next door and renew –
The Declaration of Ayr.
… but that belongs in the sister Blog.
