Berlin – Swera Indisches Restaurant – Das ist immer noch das beste Curry House, das ich in Berlin gefunden habe

Curry Houses in Berlin are aplenty, Curry-Heute has only managed five to date. It will be a lengthy process covering a decent percentage, this may require many more Trips, oh well. After two Berlin Curry Experiences this week which were decidedly – Below Par – it had to be back to the tried and tested for my final Curry, of The Trip, most certainly not the final Curry of this week. On Saturday I shall be in Glasgow, (what?) my more usual haunts where – Punjabi Cuisine – prevails, and – Desi – is understood.

Swera (Bergmannstr. 103, 10961, Kreuzberg, Berlin, Deutschland) impressed both Marg and Hector last November. There would always be a return visit. Being the final afternoon, both Neil’s and my own luggage were left at a locker in Alexanderplatz. Neil was not up for Curry-Heute, very strange.

Walking along Bergmannstrasse in what is now – Summer – was an entirely different experience. The colourful Street-market alternated with many sitting outside the various Bars and Restaurants, far different from a November evening. Many were sat under the awning at Swera meaning the inside was virtually empty. For Hector, Drausen = Rauchen, I was invited by the first Waiter I encountered to choose any table. I walked past the Bar:

I’ll sit here, I sat there last time. I was addressed in English as I have been everywhere this Trip, my Deutsch is going to evaporate.

The Lunchtime Menu was brought wrapped inside the Main. Having consulted Europe’s most detailed and reliable, dedicated Curry Blog, I already knew what I was having. Duck on Tuesday, Lamb on Wednesday, it was time for Fisch. Machli Sabzi (€11.70) was Good Value, many venues charge more for Fish these days. As this would come with Rice, even better. Marg had the Gosht Subzi last time, I knew this would provide the array of – Interesting Vegetables – that makes a Curry much more than Meat with Masala. Sparkling Water (€3.30) was offered in two sizes, I chose the larger 0.4l.

A Glass of Sparkling Water was presented with three small Complimentary Poppadoms. I ate only one given that I feel they have become a filling distraction, of late. These Poppadoms, however, were Special. Originally I thought the embedded Bits were Cumin Seeds as is the European Norm. No, these had Pepper, the Kick was Intense, the Seasoning also. One was quite enough.

The Waiter brought the Order. A Side Salad presented in a karahi, this caught me out yesterday when it arrived first. This Salad was less impressive than that served at Delhi 6 yesterday. This had no Salad Dressing that I could see from my brief glance. Anyway, I now had Curry, a Fish Curry, or did I?

The Machli Sabzi was very – Cheeky. What I had in effect was Fish Pakora sitting on top of a Vegetable Curry. How would this work? I decanted enough of the Generous Portion of Basmati, always too much Rice in Europe. I initially arranged the Fish Pakora around the edge of the Rice and then spooned out the Vegetables and Masala. By then mixing in the Fish Pakora, I had a Vegetable Sabzi, is this what Chef intended?

We were both impressed last time about the Masala being so Minimal, it’s Curry we want, not – Soup. The Masala soaked into the Rice leaving a Perfect Dry Curry. Peas, Courgette, Cauliflower, and what was this Orange Vegetable, Pumpkin? Ah, Bizarrely-cut Carrots! Four pieces of the – Dreaded Green Ballast – were present also, and so set aside. I recalled that Capsicum was not an issue when Marg had her Lamb equivalent last time. Ginger Strips were in there too, with all of the Components identified, it was time to enjoy.

I often question how long before arriving on the table, the Meat and Masala in a Curry have been in contact. There was no mystery here, no denying that the Fish and Vegetable Curry were complete strangers until moments before serving. However, the Spice, coating the Fish, had enough time to work its Magic. Seven Large Pieces of Fish Pakora were present, each had to be halved, or more. The Fish when revealed was also Skinless, this pleased. Mixing the Fish with the Vegetable Curry proved to be a source of Joy. The Spice Level of the Melange was Moderate, the Seasoning was Perfect, as it should be in a Fish Dish. There was a lot of Food on the table, who needed a Side Salad?

Each Vegetable had been cooked exactly as I like it. Cooked sufficiently, but leaving just enough for a slight – Crunch. I congratulate the Chef for serving Vegetables of this Quality, it’s too easy to serve – Mush. I had lost track of any Masala and so went back to the serving spoon to try and evaluate it. The little that was left was a Simple, Blended Masala, a bit Yellow, better than Red.

The Spice coating the Fish gave off Flavour, the Fish had Flavour, each Vegetable had retained its own distinctive Flavour, yet Overall, this was Curry!

The Bill

€15.00. The Waiter had to ask me what I had had. Trusting.

The Aftermath

Normally, Hector does not issue a second Calling Card, however, I was so pleased with what I had just eaten I wished to draw attention to the Management. I showed my Waiter the photo of Mein Host on Curry-Heute and asked him to relay:

This is still the Best Curry House I have found in Berlin.

And so to Augustiner at Stadtmitte to meet Neil.

Two weeks in Glasgow? How will The Hector cope? Maybe I shall have some more Curry before Hellas.