Dinner with Sandy and Tracey, is always a pleasure when Marg and Hector are up in Aberdeen. Hector was permitted to choose the venue, Ambal’s Restaurant (4 Bridge St., Aberdeen, AB11 6JJ) has impressed on the two previous visits. There is the matter of the Prawn Dish I saw as I departed last time, what was it? I had no photo, just a memory.
The table was booked for 19.45, Ambal’s was unlikely to be busy on a Tuesday evening, why take the chance?
We were shown to the same table as last time, taking up the rear, I was left with the seat beside Tracey, the same chair as before. The few tables occupied were all at the window, the customers, the window dressing in this first floor establishment. A Chap sitting adjacent had just finished his meal and was raving to the waiter about how much he had enjoyed it. The Curry served at Ambal’s is way better than Mainstream, the prices however, reflect the City of Aberdeen. I shall get my moan in shortly about the price of Sundries when I dine in Aberdeen.
Marg was reminded that she enjoyed the Bhuna Gosht (£11.95) last time, this was again her choice with the now customary solitary Chapathi (2.95). Sandy chose the same with a Naan (£2.50), he had Rogan Josh (£11.95) on his first visit here. Tracey mooted a few choices then almost asked permission to order Chicken Tikka Masala (£11.95). A Girlie Curry was my take on this, however, it does add to the range of Dishes that are reviewed in this Blog. A Tandoori Parata (£2.95) would accompany.
Mein Host was taking the order, I had to verify that Karaikudi Yera Thokku (£15.95) was the Dry Prawn Dish I had spotted last time. This strange sounding Dish is described as – King Prawn tossed in onion, tomato, Chettinad spices tempered in mustard and finish with fresh coriander. There is also the Nellur Prawn Curry (£16.95) – fresh water prawn cooked in traditional Andhra style flavoured with dry mango powder and caraway seeds. The Prawn Dish I saw last time was served piled high on an oblong platter. Karaikudi Yera Thokku it would be, Spicy and as Dry as Chef can make it. Peas Pilau (£3.95) would accompany, plus…
Sandy and Hector both considered a Vegetable Side else one ends up with Meat and Sauce, we were here to dine, more food required. We agreed to share a Hara Payaz Aloo (£7.95) else two Vegetable Sides would have been charged at £4.95 each. The Hara Payaz Aloo – Potato with Spring Onions served in a Dry, Thick Onion and Tomato Masala was a Standout last time.
The Curry-Heute Campaign – A Reminder
£8.40 for three Breads, come on! In Bradford, the choice of 3 Chapattis/Paratha/Naan is served free. £3.95 for Rice, in Bradford, Rice is included if the three inclusive Chapattis per person offer is not taken. In Europe, Rice is always inclusive. Twelve Quid for Sundries, a handful of Rice and a few grammes of Flour. What is the markup?
Poppadoms
Marg, Sandy and Tracey asked for Poppadoms, £1.95 served with the Chutney Tray, each?
I informed Mein Host that I refuse to pay for Poppadoms, this fell on deaf ears. Three came, with one Chutney Tray. For reasons that will be revealed later, I did not scrutinise The Bill to see how these were charged. If one person gets a Poppadom with a Chutney Tray, should three people not command three Chutney Trays? Marg favourably remarked on the Spice Level of the Mango Chutney. Tracey was also impressed by her Poppadom. Who was winding up who?
Some Cobra was consumed, Marg and Hector preferred a Large Bottle of Sparkling Water, there would hopefully be Bier for Hector later.
Pani Puru
The Complimentary Starter was brought with the now customary flourish. The Waiter held position to permit the recording of the ritual pouring of the Tamarind Water into the Potato filled Crisp. Swallowed in one go, this is a Spicy and Refreshing Distraction whist one waits for The Mains.
Bhuna Gosht
The Bhuna Gosht is what impressed so much on Visit #1, especially with the requested – Extra Methi. This Dish looks Superb, how many venues serve Soupy Bhuna? 
At Ambal’s the Masala is Seriously Thick and Minimal, as Dry a Curry as The Hector would hope for. Both Marg and Sandy considered their Bhuna Gosht to be – Too Dry. Unbelievable, we all have our preferences, for me – this is as good as it gets.
When the Breads were brought, the Chapatti was placed beside Marg. Marg was puzzled. Is this not the Paratha? This was a very different Chapatti from the norm. Not floury – was Marg’s description. It did at least look Substantial which is just as well for three quid. The Paratha and Naan were presented in Quarters which always puzzles, the pleasure of tearing off strips is removed, at least the Chapatti was served whole.
Chicken Tikka Masala
The Chicken Tikka Masala did not resemble the Tomato Soup Monstrosity that is served in the majority of establishments. This had a Proper Masala. Criss-crossed with what looked like Cream, this was a Worthy Curry. Tracey was impressed by – the Meaty Sauce. Less mass produced – was her second contribution. One wonders if people are disappointed when they are not presented with Cream of Tomato Soup? Other Restaurants should take note, Ambal’s have set a new Standard in Chicken Tikka Masala.
And so to Hector
The Chap who brought all of the above was most cooperative in the placing of the Dishes such that the photography was made simpler. The Photo Ritual also drew attention, why was I doing this?
The others were given a Dinner Plate before their Mains, Hector was given a spoon! Surely I was not about to receive – Soup? The Karaikudi Yera Thokku was presented in a Large Soup Plate, fortunately the Masala was suitably Thick. Three Prawns for £15.95? I dug out a fourth, much better. Aye right. This was not what I had seen on my last visit, that Dish was Piled High, this was Prawns lost in a Masala. So, was it the other Prawn Dish, or a different Chef?
The Peas Pilao was spooned on top of my Masala, time to eat. Hang on, something was missing. After a few minutes it was apparent that the Hara Payaz Aloo was not coming. A Waiter was informed, he returned and admitted they had – messed up. It would come.
Prawn Curry is something I make on occasion, it is the easiest of all Curry Dishes to make, a standard Masala, then add in Prawns long enough to reheat them. The result is a Sweet Curry, Pleasant, never Outstanding. This is the first time Hector has ever ordered a Prawn Curry in a Restaurant, the price says it all.
The Karaikudi Yera Thokku was most certainly not Sweet, the Earthy Flavour from the Masala impressed, the lack of Seasoning did not. One really has to ask the question – Why Prawns? Lamb, even Mixed Vegtables are way better, surely. The description of the Dish on the Menu included the term – Chettinad, a Favourite Curry of Hector’s but only when served at the Indian Mango, München. At least today’s was far from Shorva, though the Chettinad served on my last visit here was indeed – Soup-like.
The Hara Payaz Aloo was finally presented. This was shared with Sandy who by now needed something to complement his Dry Curry. My reason for ordering, this Vegetable Curry is also served in a Thick and Minimal Masala. The Seasoning was a bit below the hoped for level, the embedded Spring Onion plus the Onion Topping provided – The Crunch. Adding Diversity to the Dining Experience, this is a very good Accompaniment.
Tracey invited Marg for Coffee, Hector invited Sandy for Bier, harmony.
Mein Host informed us that Dessert would be provided. Gulab Jamun arrived in an instant. Was this as an apology for the late arrival of the Hara Payaz Aloo, or because they had finally recognised that the visit would be reviewed on the UK’s most popular Curry Website?
The Bill
£88.12. The Waiter whispered to me that the Hara Payaz Aloo had not been added to The Bill. This is why I did not scrutinise it any further. We had been well taken care of.
The Aftermath
Mein Host apologised for the delay in bringing the Mains, apparently my Karaikudi Yera Thokku had to be redone having first been created – Too Wet. The Waiter asked about my Website, the Calling Card was provided.
I shall most certainly be back at Ambal’s Restaurant, this is one of two Curry Houses in Aberdeen that serve better than Mainstream Curry. Do I return for what I consider to be the Superb Bhuna Gosht, or will once again shall we try for a Dry Fish Chettinad?