Steve and Hector find themselves in Lancaster, England for those who don’t know. Travelling by Virgin Train for a price commensurate with Mr.-O’Leary-Air, ah, back in the day when £20.00 return was regarded as excessive for a Deutschland Trip.
After the briefest of visits to the Lancaster Beerfest, it was that poor in terms of the range of The Company’s Preferred Ales, Steve and Hector joined the rest of The Chaps at the White Cross via The Borough. It was heading towards midnight and Steve kept saying the – C – word. It had to be. Strangely, we had passed well established venues which had not opened tonight. This was very much a case of let’s find – Somewhere..
Nice & Spicy (2 Church St., Lancaster, LA1 1NP) was open, that’ll do.
Doris was behind the counter, the Menu was displayed along the wall. £6.50 stood out as being the cost of Curry. Hector did not even glance any further at The Menu, we were here for – Curry. This is a Takeaway, there were three stools and a shelf around the wall. One stool was occupied by a waiting customer. Could we eat in? And can you cook to order?
Doris called through to the back, the Kitchen. Mein Host, Sham, came out and The Hector Curry was described: Tender Lamb, Methi, Dry, Thick Masala, Seasoning and NO Capsicum. Sham was happy to do this. Parathas? These were not on the Menu, Sham said he hadn’t done one in ages – Plain, Flaky. Sham said he had been just about to go home but would stay to cook for us. Doris was bemused. Poppadoms and Dips were immediately offered – on the House – said Sham.
The photo opperchancity was taken, everything was going swimmingly well so far, and absolutely no mention of Curry-Heute. This was a Chap seriously trying to satisfy his customers.
The Bill
£14.00. And Chef Rashid at Helensburgh’s Akash wonders at my popping up everywhere to eat Curry. This is affordable.
And so we amused ourselves with the Poppadoms, Spiced Onion and Dips and the odd photo.
Sham brought out the Curry himself. As soon as I saw it, I knew. His colleague brought the Parathas, again spot on. The Aroma in Nice & Spicy is Heavenly, the Taste-buds were in overdrive, and this was merely in anticipation.
Study the photo, is this not The Hector Curry? Steve was straight in, he couldn’t believe it. Sham had provided exactly what had been asked for, this was a truly Outstanding Curry.
A Bespoke Lamb Curry
I feel as if I’ve been eating for twenty minutes and I still have twelve pieces of Lamb left.
The Portion was Huge. The Masala, was as Dry as any Bradford Curry. The Seasoning, Spice and Herb content absolute Perfection.
The Paratha was so good I had to hold it high. We were in that – Special Place. Not since Athens. It is wonderful to find chance Outlets providing this quality of Curry. It puts The Mainstream to shame. Another Chef appeared, another photo opperchancity.
The Aftermath
Sham was back, in Civvies. The Calling Card was given – We shall be back tomorrow, maybe twelve of us. OK, I exaggerate, but others will come.
There is no way I’m setting foot in a Mainstream Lancaster Curry House with Tablecloths and a Standard Menu when this Curry is available. And so for The Curry-Heute Challenge – do it again! I’ll be back.