Cagliari – Namaste Indian Tandoori Food – E’ Festa

With an Aloo Gobi so impressive, or – Allu Gobhi Masala – (€4.00), as it is called at Namaste Indian Tandoori Food (63, Via Barcellona, 09124 Cagliari Sardegna Italia), the return visit was mandatory. Rather than just repeat the Order of two days ago, which Hector is prone to do to activate the – Curry-Heute Test – or – impress me again -, it was decided to explore more Vegetable options. No other Lamb Curry appealed.

We arrived moments after 13.00 on a Sunday lunchtime, quite a few of the tables outside were occupied, and one inside. By 13.15, all four of the inside tables were taken and food was still being taken to new customers sitting outside.

The Lady Hostess smiled in recognition, a far cry from yesterday’s display of tolerance for daring to be a customer at Tandoori. We took the same seats as last time.

I had already planned my Order, and I wasn’t holding back. Allu Gobhi Masala of course, plus Mix Sabji (€4.00) because I was determined to have a Curry that was not – Soupy. The Kofte (€4.00) was a last minute replacement for the intended Dal Makhni (€4.00). Vegetables alone is hardly living, a Seekh Kebab (€1.50) should provide something – solid. Rice or Bread? On Friday, the Onion Naan did not quite impress, I decided to risk a – Pratha semplice – (2.00). Stuffed Parathas were available for the same price as Plain Paratha.

Marg chose Agnello Tandoori (€6.00), or Tandoori Lamb and Salad as illustrated. For extra €2.00, Potatoes could have been added.

For Drinks, same as before: Mango Lassi (€2.00, twice and a 500ml bottle of Acqua Frizzante (€1.00). Quite a spread.

We watched people come and go. The couple at the adjacent table had Biryani. With a choice of either Meat or Vegetables this did not tempt. Why not both together? I saw no accompanying Masala either. I must get to the root of whether Biryani should or should not be accompanied by liquid on the side.

Once again, the food was brought on trays. Assembling the array on the table was a challenge. I knew the order in which I would be eating, Mix Sabji to start, then the Kofta, and finally the Aloo Gobi. The Seekh Kebab would be taken as and when.

The Paratha was not up to the hoped for standard. I make no apology for being exceedingly critical regarding the presentation of Parathas. If I can cook them to a decent standard, then why cannot everyone? This was – quartered – which always annoys, please serve Bread – whole. The Paratha was thin and limp. There were signs of – layering – but no – flakiness – whatsoever. Blindfolded, one would have found it difficult to distinguish between this and a Chapatti. Meanwhile, on my right, Marg was taken aback by what she had been served, Lamb Chops! She also found proper cutlery on her tray, the fork came Hector’s way.

In addition, a Raita with Chickpeas and the mysterious Green Mush had made an appearance again.

Agnello Tandoori

Marg was having Lamb Chops and Hector was not! This is unheard of, the opposite usually holds. For once, Hector would have to purloin a Lamb Chop.

Let’s not forget to consider the accompanying Salad. There was Salad beside the Lamb Chops, done.

Three large Lamb Chops and a smaller one took up a large plate area, Big Chops. They had clearly been well marinaded, but had not been cremated. What’s the point of having a Tandoor and not stretching its limits? The fat had not been trimmed which detracted from Marg’s enjoyment, though rarely bothers Hector. In the end I settled for a decent bite from one Chop. OK, but had it been more fiercely cooked, well… I suggest that if one’s preference matches ours, ask for the Lamb Chops to be well-fired.

It was only having cleared her plate, that Marg realised her Lamb Chops had been served on crockery. So, one of us was expected to eat from, and with plastic, whilst the other – dined in style?

*

Mix Sabji

I had hoped to be receiving a classic Vegetable Curry, however, this was not the case. Visually, this was the Aloo Gobi with extra Vegetables. Expectations were still high, the Aloo Gobi was that wonderful last time.

The three Aloo Gobi constituents were in the Mix Sabji: Potatoes, Cauliflower and Onions. Additionally were Carrots, Aubergine and what I took to be Courgette. There was a sense of Spice and Seasoning, but far from the – Wow – achieved in the Aloo Gobi alone.

Kofte

Pumpkin and Zucchini (Courgette) were listed on the Menu. So, not the Lamb Kofta with Palak which Hector loves so much. The Vegetable Balls were Soft but not particularly warm. They had an Earthy Flavour but lacked the hoped for Spice. The accompanying Masala appeared to have the same Tomato-base as served in the Agnello (Lamb) al Curry on Friday.

I decided to mix the Sabji and the Kofte, and using pieces of Paratha, alternated between these.

Seekh Kebab

The Menu did say singular, which always amuses when a pair is standard. This Seekh Kebab was unlike any I had seen before. There was a coating of Spice on the surprisingly – Dry – exterior. Biting off the end revealed a light colour: Chicken Seekh Kebab, Hector is used to Lamb. The Spice did not manifest itself, but although I could see no Herbs, I felt there had to be something in there to give the Flavours.

By this time I felt I may have ordered one Dish too many. If Hector cannot eat a plate of Vegetables, then there must be something wrong. Marg had sampled the mysterious Green Mush. It was time for Hector to examine this. An Onion Mash is what it looked like, I put some on my plate… bloody hell … this was Spicy. It wasn’t touched again. However, if one is at Namaste and finds the fayre to be under-spiced, then stir some of this in.

Allu Gobhi Masala

There was a risk in leaving the best to the end. The Aloo Gobi would have cooled, the palate would have not been as fresh as when this Dish was first experienced.

There was way more Flavour here than in the Mix Sabji. Once again the Seasoning and Spice Level stood out. I hadn’t spotted Cumin Seeds two days ago, I was now aware of them. Of all the Dishes I have sampled at Namaste, this impressed the most.

Our Hostess came to clear the table. She could see what had been left, the Paratha and the mysterious Green Mush. She wondered if I had found the food to be too Spicy. The food no, the Spiced Onions, yes. Who wouldn’t?

The Bill

€26.50 (£23.87) Who had the Lamb Chops?

The Aftermath

I had to ask about the three venues in Cagliari all called – Tandoori – one of which I have eaten in, and the other noted the change of name to – Maharaja. Our Hostess insisted that they each cook their own food despite having identical menus. A franchise then? A chap wearing a – Tandoori – t-shirt came in to Namaste to eat. Sshhh.

The post from Friday was shown to our Hostess who expressed her delight as I scrolled down and each photo was revealed.

When I have time I will read it – were her parting words.

I hope the comments are taken on board.

… and for anyone wondering, the t-shirt was still white at the end.