Whilst April this year may be the exception, the rule is that a trip to the Staggs in Musselburgh is always followed by Curry @21.00 at the New Karahi Palace (51-53 Nelson Street, Tradeston, Glasgow, G5 8DZ). Qaser was Duty Waiter, Chef Rashid was in his spot. Happy New Year!
It is January, Winter in the West of Scotland, Dark and Dreich, Ganz Normal. The fan heater was on somewhere around ankle level, not that Hector could feel much of the warm air. Mags and Yvonne may have benefited more, The Chaps had to grin and bear it. Does Craig ever feel cold?
Hector was attempting to attain – full flow – Lamb Karahi on-the-bone Extra… No… – when Qaser gestured towards Rashid in the open kitchen – He knows. Similarly, for Mags it would be Aloo Gosht, her Favourite Curry, anywhere, though she was distracted last week in Sheffield. Yvonne surprised us by ordering the same. Craig has thoroughly enjoyed the Chicken Karahi served on these premises, he asked for – Mild.
Lamb Chops
We had to. Two Portions between four. I asked Qaser to ensure an even number would be served. Nine came, but one was definitely a runt.
Two Lamb Chops each, three would have been better, four a feast.. but one must do justice to what follows. The Chops took a while to arrive but were worth the wait. Succulent, Burny Bits, and larger than those served in the aforementioned Sheffield establishment. 
How does one eat Lamb Chops? Only those brought up in The East would use a knife and fork. Craig finally succumbed. Hector was permitted to tackle the runt. Gone in a nibble.
Lamb Karahi
In the earliest visits to the New Karahi Palace, the Menu was explored. Karela Gosht was discovered here. Through time, and with the help of Rashid, the Perfect Hector Curry is now a matter of course. Sizzling for an age on the metal platter, one feels that Cecil B DeMille could have made made an epic watching this Sublime Dish.
The first dip of the Superb Chapatti into the Oily Mash, if this is how one likes one’s Curry, then this is it… The Toppings of Fresh Green Chilies, Coriander and Ginger Strips add The Flourish. The Seasoning was on the limit, the Methi was to the fore, the Spice added to the overall Intensity. Just how I was attempting to order it. For Hector, the Tender Lamb this evening was all Lamb Chops, same as The Starter? No way. An entirely different affair, these had never seen the Tandoor. The Dark Green/Black Methi Bits, the Mash of Onion and Tomato was – oh so perfect.
Meanwhile across the table – I’m not impressed.
Aloo Gosht
Yvonne was collecting a pile of bones on the edge of her plate. Both she and Craig had ordered Rice as accompaniment. When the first plate arrived, Craig thought it was to share, not so. How much Rice can people be expected to eat? Yvonne prefers Boneless Lamb, this was The Full Bhuna. Actually, had this been to served to Hector I would have made comment on the Thinness of the Masala, and Old Fashioned Blended Onion – Soupy/Oily Masala.
This must be how Mags loves it. We were both enjoying our Respective Creations – Divine – was how the moment was summarised. Meanwhile, across the table, Craig was in pain…
Chicken Karahi
Craig has been in raptures, almost, hence the frequency of visits of late. Tonight the request for Mild had been lost. Craig will never be defeated by Spice, he struggled on, it was a contest – Craig v Spice. He ate the lot, well not all the copious Rice. He can sit at The Big Boys’ Table anytime.
Too hot for me, if it was mild it would have been fine. The Chops were fine.
Fine? We encourage – Fine. That – other word – never appears in this Blog. The same Mash and Methi as in the Lamb Karahi were there. Fine? It was Chicken.
The Bill
£46.40 Four Diners, sharing Starters.
The Aftermath
One suspects that The Four could be The Two next month.