There some venues one simply has to return to. On my first visit to Sadhu Pakistani Restaurant (Falckensteinstraße 41, 10997 Berlin, Deutschland) I had a very mainstream Lamb Vindaloo, it was only once I had engaged the staff at the end of the meal that I was made aware of the – Specials – on the board outside. There was the promise of – Echtes Curry.
Arriving just after 12.30, there were as many people sitting outside as there were in, something to do with it being 32ºC perhaps. It’s great to feel real warmth and see blue skies, especially after the deluge that has befallen Scotland in the past week. I followed a waiter to the counter, he told me to chose any table. Hector’s OCD meant taking the same spot as last time. Poppadoms and Dips came in a flash.
The Poppadoms had embedded Cumin Seeds as is the Euro norm, much better than the Plain offerings served in the UK. The Red Sauce was Hot Chilli, the Green Sauce was – absolute hell, the milder Raita was most welcomed.
The Board listed Karahi, but only in Chicken. I asked of Lamb Karahi was possible, – Bhuna Gosht – (€14.20) was his reply. I asked for – Minimal Sosse und keine Paprika. This was somehow duly noted on his app. Being so hot, I decided to treat myself to a Coke (€3.30).
No sooner had the Order been taken when another waiter approached with the customary – welcome soup. This I declined, last time I ended up with a ridiculous quantity of food on the table.
The wait for the Bhuna Gosht was not long. I did a double take at the mass of Rice, easily enough for two, and included in the price of the main course. A total waste.
Bhuna Gosht
A Dry Curry! The Masala to Meat ratio was very favourable. Here lay the definition of a Thick Masala, rich in Onions, a Jhalfrezi by any reckoning. The Coriander and Ginger Strips on top made this Curry appear to be truly authentic. Whilst I was making my photographic records, the Waiter managed to get a Salad and a Puri on to the table before I could say – no thank you. These would remain untouched, Hector was here for the Curry,
Once decanted on to a sensible sized plate of Rice, it was the moment of reckoning. The first mouthful made me gasp, the temperature of the food was way hotter than anticipated. The room being so hot, there was no condensation to act as a warning.
The Flavours burst on to the tongue, something quite – Aromatic – I noted, very distinctive. Here was a blend of Spices quite different from anything I have encountered. The Spice Level was not demanding, Seasoning was not an issue. This was simply going to be a Curry to savour, one that makes the perseverance with Deutsche Curry Houses worthwhile.
The slices of Onion were a major feature of the Masala, I kept thinking I had found pieces of cooked-in Tomato also. Whenever I looked closely I was not then convinced, the photo managed to record them. The Meat was abundant, Tender, though quite a few pieces still had fatty extremities, better trimming required. There was a Coriander blast then a Cumin blast. The Rice had Cumin Seeds mixed in. I ate on, the underlying Flavour came to the fore once again. I went back to the pot for a top-up. Had I touched the Puri I would never have been able to finish the Curry. I felt quite a bit of shame for wasting food, then I spotted that the nearest table had a Salad for four and it was untouched. We were all guilty.
This was a very enjoyable Curry. I was left to wonder what the Chicken Karahi would have been like. Whilst there are many more Curry Houses in Berlin to get around, I should always drop by here to see the Specials Board. Hopfenreich is nearby, this is a part of Berlin I keep returning to.
The Bill
€17.50 (£15.49) I liked the way the Waiter simply put his device on the table to let me the see the items.
The Aftermath
… as he did so, he spotted the photo of the staff on the Huawei, he smiled in recognition. I showed him the top of the page – Curry Heute – he said correctly, well he should.
Mango Lassi was thrust before me, another complimentary gesture. Poppadoms, Dips, Salad, the Puri and the Mango Lassi, all on-the-house. Amazing Value! British Curry Houses have much to learn.
Dr. Stan was waiting at Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt, there was a cool Helles waiting there for me too, far too hot for Edelstoff.
Later, en route to Hopfenrich, I passed Singh – Indian Street Food. That’s another one for the future.