Come back and we can have some fun – were the parting words from Mamun, Mein Host yesterday.
With a slightly later opening time advertised today, Hector arrived at the Curry House (Novákových 893/7, 180 00 Praha 8, Czech Republic) after Noon. The same Young Waiter was on duty. I asked for Mamun, – not here today. I left immediately. No I didn’t, Hector had crossed town to get here, Hector would have his Curry.
A Waitress asked me – smoking or non smoking – I was led to the back room where I had dined previously. Just as well this was the case else I might not have stayed. So, one deduces the room at the entry permits the disgusting habit. I did not sense any problems yesterday as I arrived or left. Perhaps people are becoming better behaved in Restaurants.
The Menu was studied, there is a clear code to state the Ingredients so that all allergies are covered. There was no Lunchtime Menu today, this may explain why there were only two and a half fellow diners. The Half was making enough noise for ten.
Lamb Rezala ?, only been fourteen hours had passed since I had that. Part of my reason for returning was to evaluate the Quality of the Curry served here after the Onion Overdose in my Lamb Korai, which despite appearances, did impress. Bangladesh Mach, a Fish Curry, this had to be considered. The description said there was a Dense Spicy Sauce, this was enough. So, Hector will not discover what the Mainstream Curry is served on these premises.
The Waitress had brought the Menu, however it was the Waiter who came to take the order. No Capsicum – was his first utterance. The Bangladesh Mach (265Kc) was noted with a Paratha Aloo (75Kc) to accompany. At around £7.00 for a Main Course, this was pushing the boat out in Prague.
The room started to fill. Three Chaps, followed by Three more, a Solo Diner. Some looked in then presumably sat in the outer room. When the original customers had departed we were still a dozen. This was impressive for a Suburban Curry House in the North East of the City.
The Waitress brought The Curry. This was unlike anything Hector had ever seen. Topped with Lemon Slices, a Mass of Fish was visible accompanied by Potatoes. The Interesting Vegetable.
The Fish was Carp, most unusual for the Fish to be identified, usually – Masala Fish – has to suffice. There was a lot of it. Remember this was some two and a half hours before Hector’s preferred eating time. The Bones were prominent, the Fish had been cooked on-the-bone, great care was taken in the eating.
The term – Dry – is used frequently in these pages to describe Curry which does not have Excessive Masala. One could say there was no Masala here, not in the usual sense. Tomatoes and Onions were visible, the Onions were semi-pulped, as I ate, the term – Carmelised – came to mind. It is possible this was so, whatever, this Curry had a set of Flavours which Hector has never experienced. As is often the case, Hector can offer little description. The Spice Level of the Dish was barely on the scale, yet this was a Curry. It was a Fish Curry and seasoning was not an issue this time.
The Paratha arrived cut i
n to wedges, always a disappointment when one cannot tear off pieces to suit. The Bread may have been Limp, but it too was Tasty. If there was Potato inside, it was but a Smear. There was enough Paratha to share. By the time the Potatoes in the Dish were tackled, the full Mass of this Dish had revealed itself. There was a lot of Fish, a struggle in the end.
The Waiter came to give the customary check. Very Good – it was. I asked if Potato normally included in this Dish, or had they… He assured me no Capsicum ever appears in the Bangladesh Mach.
The Bill
365Kc. (£9.62) Where else could one have eaten so much Fish for so little?
The Aftermath
Fred Waltman, author of the Frankonian Beer Guide, emailed at 13.10. We had a rendezvous. Another day of what really attracts people to Prague would follow.
I counted twenty more people in the other room. The Curry House is doing Good Business. Hector will be back.