York – Mumbai Lounge – The Full Bhuna

Last year’s visit to York saw Hector settle for an overpriced and very wet Kedgeree in a well known eatery.

Today, the return from Sheffield permitted a stop-off in this Historical City at Lunchtime. With just under two hours there was surely time to seek out a Source of Lunchtime Curry. Locating a hole in the wall, Hector found himself in a familiar locus, Tanner Row, where The Mogul is no more. Nearby Akbar’s as expected would not open until later, there was nothing for it but to cross the River Ouse.

The Taj Mahal may be open at Weekend Lunchtimes, today is Monday. Round the corner from the waterfront, Jaipur Spice has been re-branded – Masala Craft, again not presently open. Fossgate became the next objective, passing the end of Shambles en route. A Nepalese Restaurant – Everest Gurkha – was open, but not the Cuisine I rate. Finally, just as Pizza was becoming an option, Mumbai Spice (47 Fossgate, York, YO1 9TF, England) was located – and open.
Entering just after noon, Hector was the first customer of the session. This was at the upmarket end of the spectrum, hot and hotter running Waiters, tablecloths galore. A Lunchtime Menu was placed on front of me. Normally I would still ask for a la carte, today would be a different day.
Menu C was glanced at and dismissed, why? With hindsight I should have ordered the Shardari Special Karahi, however, I let myself be distracted by Menu A.

Regular Readers will now anticipate the Lamb Balti, but as I can now state that all being well, The India Trip is next week, it has come time to accept – Chicken, the Meat I may have to settle for.   Chicken Tikka Bhuna it was, served with Rice and technically a share of a Naan, Onion Bhaji to Start, all for £8.90.
The Sparkling Water was brought and poured into the accompanying glass. There was time to take in the scene. On the wall opposite was the largest map of India I have ever seen. This put the Continentatility of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra in perspective, the Thar Desert may be adjacent, but still far away. India is vast, Hector and Marg will see but just Soupcon.

The Onion Bhaji came as a Pair. The Presentation was worthy of such a venue, a Sauce Boat of Raita on the Side to complement the Tamarind. How Fresh were these? Amazing! The Lightness was just what was required, not too much Bulk. This was an Impressive Start, and we know what that usually precedes.
On clearing the table The Waiter asked if I was ready for the Main Course. I asked for another five minutes. I was still the only customer, snapping away at everything. One could be self-conscious, however, one has acquired a rubber skin, consider a Blog without photos?

An Omelette Pan containing the Chicken Tikka Bhuna was placed on the hot metal stand. Three Large Pieces of Chicken Tikka in a Very Red Masala. A Dinner Plate with a Modest Quantity of Rice accompanied. Hector deplores Excessive Rice, this was Minimalist, but when broken managed to cover the plate. Enough, just, but hang on, there’s more.
The Chicken Tikka was decanted with enough of the Masala. The Chicken Pieces were halved, then quartered, there was a Decent Quantity of Meat here, especially compared to my last Chicken Encounter in Sheffield.
Having cut up the Tikka, White Meat was now to the fore. The surface area ratio of Meat that had been affected by the Tandoor, to White Meat, was now confirming everything I ask about Chicken Curry, does it exist? Chicken is so Impermeable, only the first millimetre takes on any genuine Flavour. One may as well have Vegetables.
At this point all my feelings about Chicken were suspended. The Waiter bought a Naan, possibly the Freshest Naan I have ever encountered! Cooked through, Light, Fluffy, a Strip was torn and the remaining Masala in the Omelette Pan was scooped. Wow!

The Seasoning hit full on. Outstanding as the Sheffield Curry consumed in the last few days has been, the Seasoning was always just below Perfection. The Seasoning today was possibly OTT for some, but just what The Hector Palate required. There was a decent Kick too from the Red Masala. The description of the Masala stated – Tomato and Puree, they were not kidding. One could ask how much Onion was in this Masala, it was definitely Puree-based, a bit Watery.
There was a Sweetness, probably from the Naan, yet I could see no Coconut, this Bread and Sauce Curry was Most Pleasant. The Chicken was eaten as and when, Aloo Gobi would have been an Interesting Alternative.
The Waiter came over to ask the Customary Question, I pointed to the remaining Naan.
That is Excellent!     Hector rarely orders Naan,  finding them typically Excessive and Doughy. This was how a Naan should be IMHO.

A plate with Orange Slices accompanied the welcomed wet-wipe. I was advised that Tea or Coffee was inclusive, I declined. Time for The Bill, Hector had a train to catch.

The Bill
£11.30. That made the Sparkling Water – £2.40. I had been well-fed. They have to make a Profit somewhere.

The Aftermath
The Website was shown and the Calling Card given to The Waiter, hopefully it will be passed on. I was helped on with my garments, the other Waiter held open the door. Service, The Full Bhuna.

Visits to York are rare, so who knows if I will ever return to the City never mind Mumbai Spice. Hector normally eats at the other end of the Curry House Spectrum, but for a Posh Night Out, one should consider Mumbai Spice.