Glasgow – Akbar’s – An Overdue Return, Extensive New Menu

Hector’s choice of venue this evening was Akbar’s (573-581 Sauchiehall Street G3 7PQ), it has been a while, April 2016. The Company that night was Marg, Alan and Tracy, plus ca change. Alan and Tracy have been here since then, sneaky.

The table was booked for 20.00, after the football coverage finished at The State Bar, Alan insisted on a taxi to Akbar’s, high heels, not his. We were dropped off outside the Koh-i-Noor to save a lengthy deviation, we still had to do the walk of shame past – Mia Sugar & Spice. I’ll be back soon, then there’s the Punjabi Charing Cross. How’s Hari?

The Ladies entered first and joined the throng at the Bar, Imran, Mein Host, spotted Hector and came over to greet:

How are you, Mr. Hector?

He accompanied Alan and I to the Bar, Tracy had somehow disappeared. I had the LG open at the Blog entry where we did a deal over Cider. Before I had a chance to negotiate, Imran instructed the Barmaid:

The first drinks are on me.

He then handed me the new Drinks Menu featuring 500ml Bottles (£4.75) of Peacock Cider made by Aspall for Kingfisher, all was well. Tracy eventually ordered Heineken (£3.75) for a 330ml Bottle, Marg was on Soda & Lime.

We were halfway through our Complimentary Drinks, Alan was becoming impatient, or – Obstreperous – to quote him, when Imran summoned us to a window table.

Our Waiter for the evening – Michael – introduced himself and offered us Poppadoms, Hector was straight into action:

Are you giving or selling?

Alan announced that he now shares my indifference towards Poppadoms, Marg and Tracy were having none of this and ordered one (75p) each, the accompanying Pickle Tray cost £1.50.  Tracy does not like Lamb.  Tracy ordered Lamb Chops (£4.45) well fired, three Portions immediately, it was Marg who passed. In theory this should lessen the wait; we were about to take our time studying the New Menu. Prices may have increased by around 10% since my last visit sixteen months ago. The Lamb Chops here remain more affordable than many venues. Four Chops per Portion were anticipated.

Hector was always going to have Fish Karahi (£8.95). Marg had this on a previous visit, my sample impressed. She managed to have the – peppers – withheld that time, same for Hector please. Comparison with yesterday’s Fish Curry served at Viva Goa (Peterborough) would be inevitable. Sources of Quality Fish Curry in Glasgow are few, I may even attempt Rick Stein’s Favourite Fish Curry sometime in the next sixteen days, with one crucial addition – Methi.

Alan announced Karahi Gosht and Spinach (£8.95), with an addition of Methi.

It was at this point that the New Menu started to confuse. In the Desi/Apna section Tracy found Karahi Chicken or Gosht Palak (£8.45) and Karahi Chicken & Spinach (£8.95). OK, one of these may have been Tikka, but outwith this section is Chicken & Spinach Balti (£9.45). How can a Balti be more special than a Karahi? My favourite over many visits to Akbar’s has been the Roshan Lal (£10.45). It may be under – Chef’s Specialities – but is it more exotic than a Karahi? On another night I might have had Lamb on the Bone (£9.90) which has to better than any of the above, confused? Karahi Vegetable is £9.95, I give up.

Marg’s choice was a straightforward Karahi Keema & Aloo Mattar (£8.45). Three Chapattis (75p) and two Parathas (£2.50) would be the accompaniments. Alan was unsure about the Paratha, however, he must have seen me enjoying one here before, one of the few venues which serves them – Layered and Flaky – as Hector prefers. The third Chapatti was therefore insurance.

All Dishes were asked for – In the Asian Style – a requirement at Akbar’s to ensure one receives an authentic Bradford Curry, not Soup. I asked for Methi in my Karahi Fish, Michael had never heard of Methi, he must be new. Along with Salt, and sometimes Tamarind, one of the key ingredients in the Hector Curry Diaspora. Alan asked for Methi in his Karahi Gosht & Spinach which I thought might be overkill, his choice. As ever, I asked that no – Peppers – appear in my Curry, or anyone else’s. Michael did not think that Peppers were part of the Karahi Fish, the Menu says otherwise. He will learn.

The Poppadoms and Dips arrived followed almost immediately afterwards by the Lamb Chops.

As is the way at Akbar’s, a Chef accompanied our Waiter to the table, a Ceremony. The Portion still numbered four, not the largest Chops when comparing with the Magnificence that is The Downsman (Crawley), but Substantial. Marg felt an entitlement to one… but she had a Poppadom… The majority were well fired as asked, Tracy could only manage three so offered me one. I insisted Alan should have first refusal, but as he pointed out, he would then have had five! Hector once again had Four Chops, Hector was Happy.

*

Michael was on hand to bring more Drinks, so much for Sparkling Water tonight.

Two separate tables had Birthday Fireworks, indoor Fireworks. This is on the Menu. What isn’t? They even have two Chef’s Challenges. I note Venison has also been added. The Punjabi Charing Cross was probably the first Curry House in this locale to serve Venison Curry, I know, I suggested it.

Michael kept us up to date with the progress of The Mains. There was no hurry, we needed time to let the Chops digest.

As before, The Mains were brought in a flourish of activity. Everything was hotter than everything else, which is as it should be. The Paratha was too hot to handle, still I managed to tear off a piece for the ritual photo. For me this was a Perfect Paratha – Served Whole, Layered, Flaky and Glowing.

Alan found it to be too greasy for his liking, everything I liked about it, he didn’t. Naan for him next time. I have found that when served with an Oily Sheen, Parathas tend not to turn to Crisp before I have had my fill. No way could I eat an entire Paratha, one to share would have been enough. All were happy with the Chapattis.

Karahi Fish

Just how similar in appearance was this to Fish Karahi at Bradford’s Kashmir? Flavour too? After the first scoop the Hector memory files concurred, momentarily. The Fish had been stirred in and so was in Flakes, not whole. The Spice Level was – OK – with finely chopped Green Chillies in the Mash. Fresh Coriander was in there to, but no sign of Methi. The Seasoning was definitely below that expected of any Curry, never mind Fish. How was this possible? Yesterday’s simple Fish Curry served at Viva Goa (Peterborough) had more of an impact. Am I comparing like with like? That was a slab of Fish added to a Masala. Akbar’s was serving Karahi Fish, a Minimal Masala, a different style altogether. Still, I had hoped for so much more.

My search for the Ultimate Glasgow Fish Curry continues.

Karahi Gosht and Spinach

Dry, topped with Green Chillies, Fresh Coriander and a slice of Lemon, here was a Classic Bradford Curry. This had my preferred Minimal Masala with Spinach, not the mass of Green that is served as Palak at some venues. Alan was defeated by the Quantity, too much Bread? A Doggy Bag would be called for. Alan’s standards are high so he expects Perfection.

No Methi.

No other comments were recorded.

Karahi Keema & Aloo Mattar

This too was suitably – Dry – and the Portion appeared to be Huge. I do not recall ever ordering this Dish at Akbar’s, too many other temptations. Marg was impressed:

I enjoyed it. It was nearly too Spicy for me, but not quite because of the Potatoes. It suited the Chapatti, my texture.

Just like Mince and Tatties – said Tracy.

My favourite – replied Marg.

Indeed it is. Keema Mutter Aloo will never catch on in the UK. (emoticon understood)

Karahi Chicken Palak

Essentially Alan’s choice but in Chicken, the Masala was once again appropriate for a Bradford Curry. Tracy too would have to request a Doggy Bag. (Shouldn’t have had the Poppadom!)

Tracy gave a trilogy of statements, I’ll let the Reader decide:

Not Spicy enough.

Missing Seasoning.

I enjoyed it.

When Howard and I last dined here together, he found his food to be too Salty and too Spicy. Have they toned it down, or is it just a matter of different palates?

Imran had, as expected, come to ask the customary question.

No Methi – I hope was loud and clear.

Coffee – aka a waste of VDT!

Alan and Tracy ordered Espresso (£1.25), whilst Marg who planted the seed, ordered Caffe Latte (£2.50). Hector still had some Peacock.

I think we all had a good time, Alan may update us?

After Imran’s generous welcome we were well fed and well looked after.

The Bill

£86.15. It is not in the style of Curry-Heute to regularly show this, however…

The method of recording the Ordering on a Pad of some description may not give room for manoeuvre. No – Extra Methi – is evident, but what exactly is – Karahi MT & Spin? Surely not?

Asian Style £0.00.

No Peppers £0.00

The Potatoes were charged at an extra 50p in the Karahi Keema & Aloo Mattar, naughty.

The Bill would have been over £100.00 had our – Welcome – not been so liquid.

The Aftermath

Whilst my fellow diners enjoyed their – let’s stay awake all night juice, Hector found Imran working on the roster, an Opperchancity to show him the updated Curry-Heute Page on Akbar’s. It did need updating. He always asks why I visit Akbar’s  so sporadically. The answer is simple, I prefer to be in Bradford to eat Bradford Curry!