Glasgow – Ambala Desi Bar – The Man from Swansea says ‘Yes’

The Diary said – Curry with Mark – and so it came to be. A Sunday evening, Marg was in on the act too, returning from Hockey in Dundee to rendezvous at the Laurieston. Ambala Deli Bar (11 Forth St., Glasgow, Scotland, G41 2SP) was today’s venue. Mark has dined at Yadgar and Karahi Palace. Quantity defeated Mark at Yadgar, he has raved about Karahi Palace ever since. The Handi Gosht at Ambala would be something different again.

Arriving just after 18.00 a handful of tables were occupied, Forth Street being blocked at both ends could not have helped business today (something to do with  a game of football at Hampden Park, perhaps.) Naveed gave his customary handshake. Mark was introduced – This Man has come all the way from Wales today to have Curry here. This was not an exaggeration, but Mark’s Cunning Plan.

The corner window booth was taken, adjacent to my usual table. Marg has been here before, but just for Dessert, she studied the Menu …. but not for long. Lamb Chops Masala Krahi (£9.95) is her Favourite by far. Marg asked for her Lamb Chops to be – well done. Mark commented – You’re a Curry Lady now.

I used to order Korma – was the reply.

Mark knew he was following The Hector. Naveed noted – Handi Gosht, Large (£16.99), on-the-bone, no Capsicum (as if they would here), Spicier than Medium.

Until we can get the Paratha situation sorted, Hector has been ordering the impressive Naan (£2.00). Three were nearly ordered, then we considered that a Chapati (£1.10) would be more appropriate for Chop Eating.

The Handi Gosht can take up to forty minutes, so the Menu states. This was recently proved to be a caveat, to advise that it may take some time; the reality is twenty minutes or so. Just in case, two Portions of Traditional Veg Pakora (£3.70) would keep us amused until the Mains. Mango Rubicon was the Drink of choice. Mark found this to be to his liking instantly. Same Company as Irn Bru (in effect) – I told him.

Vegetable Pakora

The Traditional Veg Pakora came in two Portions of Eight good sized pieces. The Irregular Shapes was down to the fact that the Potatoes had been cut as Small Chips. The Pakora were decidedly Fresh and Tasty, the Chilli Dip was the Perfect accompaniment. A Starter then a share of a Handi Gosht, just as well Hector had nothing to eat prior to this. My fellow Diners were similarly starved.

Lamb Chops Masala Krahi

Naveed brought the Lamb Chops first. The Ambala version I had not seen before. Gosh! This looked Wonderful, just enough Masala to justify the title, six good sized Lamb Chops, well fired as asked. No way would Marg eat Six Chops, I decided not to sample, Hector would play the long game.

Lovely, lots of meat, a rich sauce – was Marg’s take on the three Chops she managed before admitting defeat. Half of her ample Chapatti also remained. Hockey had left her Hungry, not Ravenous.

Handi Gosht

The Signature Dish at Ambala, Mark was immediately impressed by the Visual Feast. There was enough to share allowing for two Generous Portions, this was not the Sheer Mass that Mark may have feared. There was quite a bit of (KTC) Vegetable Oil collecting at the sides of the Karahi, this dissipated as we helped ourselves.

The Naan came in four halves, a pity they are not served – Whole. The Naans were not as Light and Fluffy as I have enjoyed here. I suspect there is a Chef who can, and the others cannot. Maybe it is time to try the Paratha again.

The Masala was Delightfully Thick and full of Flavour. Cloves are what came to Hector’s mind, Marg took a Soupçon and said – Ginger. She confirmed that her Masala was similar to that presented here. Mark confirmed that this was entirely different in Taste to what he had experienced before, the reason we were here. Five Bones were contained within the Melange of Very Tender Lamb and Masala, all Sucky Bones.

Naveed came to ask, twice, if there was anything else we required. Marg ordered another, collective, Mango Rubicon.

The Chaps ate on until the appetites were sated. Finally, two pieces of Lamb sat at the base of the Karahi. Hector placed these on top of the three remaining Lamb Chops. Lunch tomorrow.

That was pretty good. – was Mark’s effusive comment. He ranked this Dish at Ambala between the Karahi Gosht served at Karahi Palace and Yadgar. Hector would suggest that these three venues serve the most Distinctive and Intensely Flavoured – Punjabi Cuisine – in the City of Glasgow.

The Bill

£43.84. The Price is Right.  Great Value.

The Aftermath

Marg drove us along St. Andrew’s Rd. so that we could show the locus of the Khyber Pass.

This will be Mark’s next challenge.

Update – Monday Lunch

How to reheat? Started on the stove with a tiny bit of Water, then two minutes in the Microwave to get heat through the Meat.  Thirty seconds to reheat the Naan.

It never ceases to amaze how so visibly little Masala can suffice.

Mmmmm – as someone might say. Suitably Spiced, Very Tasty. I shall have this one day.