The return to Blighty being on the 21.01 Eurostar this evening, Lord Clive and Lady Maggie of Crawley decided to join Hector and Marg for Curry at the much respected locus of Paris Curry – Passage Brady. Having walked through the Curry Arcade on Saturday afternoon, Hector had already chosen both the venue for today and his Curry. Balti Gosh Agneau (€14.00) at Palais Des Rajpout (64-66 Passage Brady, 33 Boulevard de Strasbourg, 75010 Paris, France).
We dropped our bags at Gare du Nord then began the walk down both parts of Rue du Faubourg St. Denis passing many Curry Houses en route. Lahore Lahore was pointed out and the other venue on the same street with the same name. Lahore Lahore (@158) impressed, Shan did not. We reached Passage Brady @13.00. The Chap greeting outside Palais Des Rajpout was delighted when four of us spontaneously walked in. Marg reckons he recognised me having given me a Card on Saturday.
We were shown into a surprisingly small room which was connected to another by a narrow passageway. Menus were provided, as I took my photos I tried to make sense of the layout, the Dishes were all over the place. I nearly changed my mind and have a Fish Curry of some sort, but then decided to stick to the plan. Hector has not had a Lamb Curry in a Formal Restaurant in Paris this trip.
I asked the Waiter if Rice was inclusive, not here. Choice: Plain Rice @€3.00 or Riz Rajpouts Special @5.00. Given some of the outrageous prices I have paid for Bier on this trip, a couple of Euros more felt worth the investment.
Marg announced she was having Agneau Rogan Josh (€12.00) then changed her mind. Agneau Rajpouts Special (€13.00) with a Rajpout Nan (€4.00) it would be. Nuts, Raisins and Cream, how could she not?
Clive listened to the list, Poulet Vindaloo (€12.00) it would be because he wanted to say these words. Normally he and Maggie share their Rice and Bread. A Garlic Nan (€4.00) and another Special Rice would be added to Maggie’s – Poisson Rajpout Special (€12.00). Sharing Rice, we’ll see.
A litre Bottle of Badoit (€6.00) would be shared by Marg and Hector. Clive and Maggie’s Bottle of Still Water may have cost the same.
It was another Waiter who came to take the Order, Mein Host, judging by his more formal attire. He asked Clive to nominate his Spice Level: Spicy, Very Spicy, Very Very Spicy. Very Spicy – was agreed upon, I opted for – Spicy.
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Two Complimentary Poppadoms and three Dips were placed on the table. One Dip was advised to be – Very Spicy. Hector was not bothering about these. Marg enjoyed the Poppadom especially given the presence of Cumin Seeds which is typical in Europe. Clive confirmed the Spice Level of the highlighted Dip and that he believed it to be Pickle based:
A bit fiery.
There was time to discover the rest of the premises. The adjacent room had fewer tables and felt more spacious. The cavernous basement housed the – facilities. At the top of the stairs leading there was a Bar. Another flight of stairs suggested the kitchen may well have been above us. The décor was bright, colourful, traditional without the clutter of ornaments. I liked the engraving on the chairs. So, should Rajpout have an – s – at the end or not? The outside signage and the chairs suggest not. The Menu was a series of contradictions.
The Balti Gosh, Chicken Vindaloo, Plain Naan and Maggie’s Poisson Rajpout Special arrived first. The Fish Dish turned out to be a Biryani. Today, – Curry de poisson en sauce – would not feature any Masala. Dry as I prefer my Curry to be, I still like some Masala.
It’s a bit dry – was Maggie’s repeated comment. At least she could begin, the rest of us were lacking a key part of our Meal for quite a few minutes. Finally the Riz Rajpouts Special was placed on my left, adjacent to Maggie’s Biryani. The volume was comparable. When I was told that this was – for two – I had to wonder, especially when I knew that Marg would be claiming some. It was now just as well that Maggie had a Biryani, stretching this Quantity of Rice to four would have been difficult.
For the last two days I have been given more Rice than I could eat and paid next to nothing for it. The entire Meal including Rice and peripherals have cost €7.00 and €10.00 respectively. This – double portion – of Special Rice cost €10.00. OK, I’m in a Restaurant, but given the liberal portions of Rice across Europe, this was a bit stingy. At least today there would be no Rice wasted which is in keeping with – The Curry-Heute Campaign.
Riz Rajpouts Special
It’s – Very Special. With Peas, Groundnuts, and Sultanas, it was very tasty in its own right. The Rice was a big hit.
Agneau Rajpouts Special
Behold, pieces of Lamb in a Yellow, Creamy, Soup-like Masala. The antithesis of a Hector Curry, Marg generally loves this. Such is the comprehensive coverage in Curry-Heute when I get to dine with others. How long is it since my last Lamb Karahi?
Marg gave me a piece of her Naan to try. The Sweetness hit instantly, not for me either, but it suited Marg perfectly. The Bread was delightfully Soft, but for €4.00 I would have expected a Larger Naan.
Very creamy with a kick – so Marg informed me – some of the Lamb was a bit chewy.
The Rice was wonderful with plenty of variety, and the sweet bread complemented the Curry.
Poisson Rajpouts Special
Maggie had her portion of Rice with Fish. All I could see was the large pieces of Fish embedded in the same Rice that everyone else was enjoying. The – Dry – nature of this Dish has been established. Marg came to Maggie’s rescue with her surplus Creamy Masala. Was the lack of a – sauce – as described in the Menu an oversight, or was this the intended outcome?
With the situation addressed, Maggie began to thoroughly enjoy her choice:
Every time I take a bite, there’s something else.
Poulet Vindaloo
Had the focus been better in my choice (below), then it would be more apparent that the Masala in the Vindaloo was decidedly thinner, Hector had chosen well. Clive took care of his share of the Rice and most of the Garlic Naan, as ever he used the Naan to mop up the bowl and plate, his system, he likes it that way.
A very good level of Spice, just about right, fierce without being….
The inclusion of – Potato – may have surprised Clive. What else would he expect in a Vindaloo. Anyway, this he enjoyed too.
Balti Gosh Agneau
Quantity – again was the first thought, but as I decanted the Lamb and Minimal Masala I did reach double figures. The Meat to Masala Ratio was very well judged, this was so different from what Marg had been given. The familiar Ginger Strips and Fresh Coriander topped the dish. This was a Mainstream Curry, the term for once being used in a positive sense.
The Masala was Tomato-rich, delightfully Thick. The Spice Level was not challenging, the Seasoning, however, was way below that which is required to release the Flavours of the Spices and Herbs. As the Masala became absorbed by the Rice so the Rice became tastier, the Lamb became isolated.
I’ve had better Lamb. If it’s true that the French invented their Cuisine to be rich in Sauce, then Curry should be well within their capabilities. In the end, I too was effectively left with a – Biryani.
The Bill
€76.00 (£66.09) Restaurant prices.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was well received. Tea and Coffee – on the house – was offered, but declined. We had plans for the Champs Elysees.
Little did I expect to stumble across a Curry House on the Champs Elysees – La Rose du Kashmir. No, I did not have another Curry, but do feel this venue deserves reporting.
Palais Des Rajpout – Menu extracts
