Day #3 of the Portland OR section of Hector’s Big Birthday Trip, an 11.30 rendezvous at Midtown Beer Garden, not for Bier but Curry-Heute! Sited on the far left as Dr. Stan and Hector approached, Best Taste of India, encountered by chance last night, was found to be closed.
Fortunately, The Good Doctor spotted Indian Curry House (431 SW Harvey Milk Street, Portland OR 97204, USA) a few stalls down.
The respective menus were pretty much the same, the Hector had his heart on Lamb Curry.
Curry is universal.
It was confirmed that Lamb Curry ($14.56) came with Rice, so no need for a Naan. A bottle of Fanta was secured. A buzzer was issued, time to pay.
The Bill
€20.00 (£14.56) Cash. A round figure, so no knowledge of tax, and no tip.
I took a seat at a long table. Prof G had taken advantage of the $10.00 Lunch Special with Chicken Korma and Chana Masala as the principal components. Dr. Stan had a full Curry and drink, Lamb Saag ($14.56), of course.
During the wait, I took stock of the Fanta. How artificial does this look? Sweet and syrupy compared to the wonder that is Belgian Fanta. Having ordered first, my buzzer went first.
Lamb Curry
Plastic cutlery, yay, not wood. Eating with wood, yeuch. Half Rice, half Curry, the oily Masala was blended with Coriander leaves mixed through. Arranging the Meat on the Rice, I reached double figures, a decent portion.
Gravy – was the first recognisable flavour. Low in Spice and Seasoning, there was just enough here to call it – Curry. The Coriander gave off its flavour.
On another day, the Hector may have registered some disappointment at this point, after yesterday at Mezbaan Mahal, the lack of anything – Soapy/Cabbage – was a bonus.
The Lamb was super-soft. With such a mild Masala, it had little chance of giving anything more back. As I ate on, so I accepted my lot. If one became a 
regular here, I’m sure extra Chillies, extra everything, could be commanded. Crucially, there was nothing here not to like.
The coarse finish to the base of the container restricted the scooping up of the last grains of Rice.
Chicken Korma / Chana Masala
The Rice appeared to be the largest component here, less Curry overall. Spot the Samosa, there was a bit of Chapatti as part of the deal also. Prof G’s verdict:
5 big chunks of tandoori chicken, sauce too mild for my liking. Chana Daal, good spice level. An acceptable Samosa, small but tasty. A good deal at $10.00.
Lamb Saag
The worry is that one gets the creamy version that prevails across Continental Europe. Well, I wasn’t worried, Dr. Stan had to accept his fate. Actually, it didn’t look too bad. Dr. Stan:
The Lamb Saag was creamy and lightly spiced with tender meat.
Strangers in a strange environment, we shall never discover if there was anything with a genuine kick on offer at Indian Curry House.
The Aftermath
It certainly had nothing to do with Curry. Our day across the Columbia River, in Vancouver WA, is told – here.
2026 Menu
