Nothing else of importance was happening today…
Marg and Hector are having Curry at 21.30 on a Saturday night? It must be Ramadan and so it must also be The Village “Curry House” (119 West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA) – the Ramadan Buffet (£12.95). As Ramadan precesses, so the northerly latitude’s toll is being diminished. I look forward to a December Ramadan with The Village Ramadan Buffet kicking off @15.30. In the last few years, the Buffet has not been served before 22.30 such is the length of day in Scotland mid-summer. Summer, what’s that?
We arrived punctually and were recognised, no need to declare our booking. The Village was busy, but not as stowed as I have seen it previously on such occasions, maybe more would come later. We were shown to a table for two right beside the line of tureens. From here, Hector could survey all, it also gave me the opperchancity to photograph every Main Course before it was touched by our fellow diners.
So let’s get straight into what was on offer this evening, and it does vary from night to night. That I could see Rice nearest to our table, puzzled. The last port of call for those in line; the logic became apparent later.
Chicken Biryani (Bone) Lamb Pilao (Bone)
Nihari Haleem
Tarka Daal Paya
Aloo Chana Lamb Kirahi (Bone)
Lamb Bhuna Campo Chicken (Chinese style)
Sarso Ka Saag Chicken Kirahi (Bone)
Paya -Trotters, Nihari – always served in a Shorva, Haleem – Lamb cooked down to a pulp, Tarka Daal – not Makhani, Hector’s Favourite Daal, Chicken Anything, Chana Aloo – no avoiding Chickpeas here, Sarso Ka Saag – full on Spinach: ah well, this was not Hector’s – Dream Menu. One could simply indulge in Lamb Kirahi and Lamb Bhuna, or one seizes the day.
I returned from my photographic sojourn to find our Large Bottle of Sparkling Water (£2.95), it was time for Starters. Ideally, one should come to The Village Ramadan Buffet twice, once to concentrate on Starters then the Mains on the return visit. This year, such is our diary tonight will be the only visit.
The Starters
I returned from my tour of the Starters with this:
The Patties were not Chapli Kebabs, or were they a variation? Either way, these were still the most interesting and tasty for Hector. The Samosa was – Light, Crispy and Fresh. The Vegetable, Aubergine and Mushroom Pakoras were all Satisfactory, one could easily have filled the plate with these, or anything else for that matter. The Chicken Buffalo Wing in Batter had to be sampled, it was unsurprisingly no more than – Chicken in a Spicy Batter. I even took some Dates from the artistically arranged platter.
In true Buffet style, I had sampled a cross-section, there was much more I could have had, but this is where Marg comes in.
Marg’s plate had Mango Chutney, Raita, Salad and a Spring Roll. She found Chicken Tikka and also sampled the three types of Pakora. Again, she could have taken much more. In previous years she has stuck to Starters, tonight Marg would sample some Mains.
We watched the first Diners tackle the tureens, it was good not to be part of the first throng. We took our time and let the Starters digest. Then it was our turn to brave the Mains.
*
Indigo, Sosumi
Note the lack of Bread and Rice. There is no point bagging oneself up with these. The Village is possibly the venue where I have enjoyed Nihari most, all down to the Quality of their Masala, so why not give it another go? This did not disappoint.
Paya, as I wrote last year but spelled differently, sheep/goat trotters has to be considered the food of poverty. Is that what makes it a – Delicacy? Having left the accompanying Shorva behind, I ate – the paw – with my fingers. It was Meat on-the-bone, and not particularly flavoursome. I don’t get – Paya.
Haleem I try to avoid and would certainly never have it as a Main Course. Somewhere between Gelatine and a Daal it looks disgusting. My mouth went on fire, for a Buffet, this was – Seriously Spicy, the Seasoning was also to the fore. One lives, one learns. This was easily the Best Haleem I have encountered to date. I will not be rushing back for more, but will certainly have another Tapas Portion next time I see it here.
One could dream about sitting down to an endless supply of Village Lamb Kirahi. As with the Lamb Bhuna, there was way more Masala than would be served a la carte. I suppose everyone picks out the Meat and leaves the Masala behind, who wants a plate of – Soup? The Kirahi featured Lamb Chops, the Bhuna was on-the-bone. Neither was as full of Flavour as could be, however, this is judging it by – Village Standards. I went back for more, of both.
Marg had Chicken Biryani, Aloo Chana and Lamb Bhuna. I was too busy matching photos to notes to ask her about her selection. So it goes.
Second time around I had Sarso Ka Saag and Lamb Biryani to accompany my – #2 – Lamb Bhuna and Lamb Kirahi. I noted the – columnar structure – of the Meat. I have in the past questioned if this was truly Lamb, I now know it is.
When Spinach is served with Cream I always ask why, it’s too Creamy. When Saag/Palak is simply a blend of Green Herbs with Spinach dominating, I question the bitterness… unless it’s Methi of course. By this time I had realised why the Lamb Biryani was at the end of the line of tureens. Had it been at start, people would have picked out the Lamb leaving Rice, else they would have taken Lamb and Rice when Rice is really all they wanted. This is my theory. By having the Bread at the start and the Biryani at the end, it could only be taken if one’s plate had room. My plate did, and I was overdue some Rice/Bread. Finally a – Dry Curry – of sorts. Whole Green Chillies were embedded, now we’re talking. This was my first Biryani experience at The Village, this was seriously – Tasty Rice.
Dessert!
Marg’s favourite part of any meal. Marg went to see if Ice Cream was available, not this evening. She returned content, a plate of – Sweeties. Even Hector got in on the act. I could have had more Haleem.
The premises were emptying, we were asked if we had finished, we had. Kassif, Mein Host Jr., helped himself to dinner. One of the Lunchtime Waitresses was still on duty, quite a shift, but she told me someone had worked and fasted even longer.
The Bill
£28.85. Unbelievable value. Last year at the point of paying, Mr. Baig, Mein Host, asked me to get in touch with – The Herald – and make them aware. They are now, and so should everyone.
The Aftermath
I am still trying to work out how I was conned into walking a dog around Dumbreck at 23.30 on a Saturday night.