This time last year Hector spent a week in Greece/Hellas on his lonesome, Marg decided that Vet’s Hockey in Dublin would take preference. This gave me the opperchancity to have Curry in Crete and Santorini before Marg caught up with the vacation. Of the four venues visited last year, Krisna – Authentic Indian Restaurant (PEO Kissamou Chanion 102, Platanias 730 14 Crete) was the standout. Who is already thinking that Hector is back in Crete just for the Curry?
Italia and Croatia are our subsequent destinations with no Curry available in Northern Croatia it appears. Watch this Blog. Prior to this, Hector is taking Marg to the places of interest in north-west Crete that she missed last year. This involved the short Bus journey from Chania, where are spending two nights only, along the coast to Platanias. As with last year, Curry was preceded by the steep climb up to the World War 2 Museum and Restaurant Vigli, the latter delivering much needed cold drinks, ice cream and the finest view over the coastline and the island of Agio Theodoroi.
It was approaching 19.00 when we reached Krisna. 19.00, kick-off time for the World Cup matches, but there are no games today. There were appreciably more customers than when I visited last year, Friday Night is Curry Night. The Lady on duty showed us to the table next to where I sat last time. Mein Host showed no sign of recognition, he and his son spent quite some time discussing Curry and supplies last year. I later established that this was – Daughter.
I had ordered – Lamb – last year before I realised – Fish – was also available. If more Menus were laid out in this style, the Diner would not have to wade through endless pages of repetition to find the desired Curry with the Meat of choice. So, who is now thinking that Hector came all the way back to Crete for a Fish Curry?
Mein Host came over to talk us through the Menu. Some Dishes have up to a – Five Chilli – rating, I think he was informing us that all Dishes could be prepared to to any strength, but was warning us.
You have Fresh Coriander? – I put to him in memory of last year.
This was confirmed – and Fresh Methi-Fenugreek?
This was a good time to remind Mein Host of my previous visit, Hector was remembered. On showing the review on the very slow LG, he reminded me that it was his son – Stephen – who had been present also. Stephen and Hector remained in contact last year as I tried to help them acquire cooking equipment from UK suppliers.
Knowing the Portion Size already, I advised Marg that we would share Egg Fried Rice (€4.50). Lamb Roghan Josh (€11.50) was Marg’s choice of Main. Starters were not considered, the Ice Cream.
The Fish Bhuna (€12.00) has a – Two Chilli – rating, as has the Roghan Josh. Hopefully – Bhuna – would guarantee the Thickness of Masala I enjoyed last year when I had a very tweaked Lamb Sambar (€11.50), – Three Chillies.
Marg would have Sparkling Water (250ml) (€2.50) whilst Hector, remembering that here Water is more expensive than Bier in real terms, went for Bottled Mythos (500ml) (€3.50).
It was Daughter who took the Order. She raised her eyebrows when I asked for – Fish. On mentioning Coriander and Methi she informed me they had them both as Fresh and Powdered. The Herbs win every time. I made my usual request that no – Peppers – would appear in my food. Marg asked for – Medium Spice – Hector asked for – Two Chillies.
We could see Chef when he was finishing off the Rice for other Orders. Why can Hector not use a Wok with such efficiency? Nothing sticking here.
Mein Host brought the food; the photographic ritual was interrupted by a Scandinavian Chap at the adjacent table offering to take a photo of Marg and Hector, offer declined. Marg had left me more than enough Egg Fried Rice, a decent Portion for two, insane for one. With Peas and Sweetcorn, this would add the required Diversity, way better than simply Meat and Masala.
Lamb Roghan Josh
The Masala was relatively Thin, Oily, Blended, similar to what could be served on any Mainstream – High Street Curry House in the UK. I liked the Orange Sheen, not quite a – Soupy Curry – given the Quantity of Masala.
Unlike Hector, Marg’s appetite was not in doubt today, she wolfed down the lot before I was halfway through, bar some of the perhaps Excessive Masala. Not a grain of Rice remained, all of the Meat was eaten. Ice Cream before Curry is OK then.
I like that it has small pieces of Meat, and plenty of it – she began, – an abundance of sauce, earthy, goes well with the Rice.
One satisfied customer.
*
*
Fish Bhuna
As soon as this was presented, the level of anticipation increased further. A mass of Fish was smothered in a Viscous Masala, the Finely Chopped Herb Topping completed this Perfect Vision of Curry. There was time to savour the moment.
This has got everything – I remarked to Marg after the first sample. I knew I had to come back to Platanias – for Curry. This was one of those – Very Special Moments. It took three weeks in the USA to find Curry of this Quality, this was Day 4 in Hellas. Curry in Greece can be as good as – The Best – served anywhere. This year I shall probably not make it to Pak Taka Tak (Athena), and there are more Curry Cafes still in Athens to investigate. Today’s Fish Bhuna is Hector’s Greek Curry of 2018.
The Seasoning was pitched perfectly, the Flavour of the – Masala Fish – was full on. There was a – Raw – Peppery – Flavour initially before the magnificent array of Flavours came across. The Herbs most certainly helped, there is no excuse for not sourcing all the required Ingredients, USA Chefs please note. Just how much Fish was hidden in this Masala? This was easily the most Fish ever served to Hector as a Standard Portion. The full Fish Flavour was prominent on the palate. The Fish retained its integrity, but what was it? I forgot to ask, so Hector Holmes looks back over previous experiences. It most certainly was not Monkfish which tends to be Rubbery and Thin, this was White and Chunky. River Cobbler – Basa – is a likely candidate as last encountered at The Moti Mahal (Glasgow). Some of today’s Fish took a fair amount of chewing, not a criticism, it simply prolonged the pleasure.
The Masala was markedly different from the Roghan Josh, much Thicker. Onion Strips were in the mix. Two Chillies? No problem. With Coriander and Methi presumably added, this Curry had everything.
Mein Host came over dressed to depart.
How is it?
This is Excellent!
He was going along the road a kilometre or so to the east to Agia Marina where has opened new premises – Massala House. Business must be good at Krisna to enable this. If he can replicate the quality then success will follow. I hope Curry-Heute has played its part in spreading the word.
Eventually I had to admit defeat, there was far more than my appetite can presently manage. The Mediterranean Diet has caused the problem which Curry very rarely manifests.
The Bill
€33.20 (£29.38) Once again I thank all those who voted for Brexit for devaluing Sterling.
The Aftermath
It was at this point I confirmed the Lady serving was the Daughter. She had been busy becoming a mother when I was here last time. She was delighted to see the Review I had previously written. All Good Curry should be celebrated.
I had tried to find the other Indian Restaurant on Google Maps and failed. With the name – Massala House – provided, we both found it, but at the wrong locus. It is not to the west of Krisna as Google Maps presently shows. Agia Marina is decidedly to the east.
A complimentary Spirit was on the table when I returned…
We spotted Massala House from the Bus on the way back to Chania, on the beach side of the main road. As ground floor premises, this could be an even more advantageous site.