Lisboa – Taste of Pakistan – Lisbon Curry #1

Hector and Marg are in Lisboa, we’ll see who else eventually features in Curry-Heute this week. History tells us that Vasco da Gama left these shores and pioneered the first mass shipment of Spice from India, so expectations on the Curry front are high. Madeira three years ago, proved to be a very worthy destination. This is our first visit to conterminous Portugal.

Curry Houses are plentiful, Hector was therefore able to distinguish between Punjabi/Pakistani and the rest. In a back street on the slopes leading up to Castelo de Sao Jorge lies Taste of Pakistan (Rua Sao Pedro Martir 37-B, 1100-555 Lisboa, Portugal). With scaffolding almost blocking the access, the intrepid Curry Hound sniffed out the chosen venue for Lisboa Curry #1. The photos outside showed Carneiro (Mutton) Karahi, Hector is back on his favoured Meat.

Arriving before 13.00, we were the first customers of the day. Taste of Pakistan is a simple restaurant seating twenty six, the décor was unpretentious but a step up perhaps from being a Curry Cafe. Mein Host let us choose our seats, I took the corner from where I could survey all. Marg was keen to find out which football match was on the tv. Tottingham (sic) beat Man City, unexpected, but they do have Portugal’s second most famous citizen as their manager.

*

Marg passed on the opperchancity to have Chamuca de Frango (Chicken Samosa) (€1.10). Instead, she decided that Soup would be light. Sopa de Lentilhas (€2.50) fitted the bill. Marg considered asking that her Soup be brought at the same time as my choice, however, I persuaded her not to complicate things.

Having checked with Mein Host that the Cabrito (Lamb) Karahi (€8.50) was available, it was a matter of what to have with it. The customary Breads were all there and at sensible prices, Rice too. In a moment of perspiration, I haven’t mentioned yet that it was 21ºC today, in early February, Biryani de Vegetals (€6.60) caught the eye. In India, a Biryani always felt like the best accompaniment, especially when the prices were so favourable. Today, I was in the same mindset. Two 25cl bottle of Sparkling Water (€1.20) completed the Order.

Two Poppadoms were presented along with two almost identical Dips.

This is Spicy – said Mein Host as he carefully placed the second Dip away from the first.

Cough … ‘kinell, – it truly was.

With embedded Cumin Seeds, the Poppadoms were a decent intro once the fire subsided and the other Dip was used.

The wait for the Mains felt appropriate, there was a hope that our Dishes had not just been thrown together. When a Curry was set before Marg the heart sank. Were we both being served Cabrito Karahi?

Somewhere, Soup had become lost in translation. Mein Host could see that Marg was taken aback by the Thick Mass of Lentils which lay before her. He assured her it  was healthy.

Dal Terka

The mass of Lentils was topped with Ginger Strips, a sprinkling of Fresh Coriander and fried Onions, the Tarka.

I heard Mein Host say – Shorva – as he returned to the kitchen. Here was one of life’s great ironies. How many of us have been disappointed when served with a Soupy Curry? Today, Soup had been ordered, Shorva this was not.

I am not used to just the Daal, it was lovely, flavoursome. There was a bit of Spice to it, a – kick, very enjoyable.

Mein Host returned with a handi full of Shorva. This he was offering in addition to the Daal. Marg graciously declined the Shorva, she had enough on her plate.

Biryani de Vegetals

Liberally topped with Almonds and a sprinkling of Coriander, this was quite a platter. I would engage Marg’s assistance with this, she duly obliged. I had to decant, the usual array of Vegetables was present: Potatoes, Peas, Carrots, Green Beans.

Cabrito Karahi

Ginger and Coriander had again been sprinkled on top, however, on closer examination there was so much more. For a moment I thought Dry Methi, maybe Onions, plus some Seeds. Beneath lay a delightfully Thick Masala, really – Thick. The Meat was in large pieces, counting felt unnecessary, Hector had more than enough food. I found two slivers of the dreaded – Green Mush. These were placed back in the karahi, no problem.

I decided to sample the Biryani first. Wow! Wow! And thrice – Wow!

It was that good. To think I might have ordered Bread. The Flavours from this were intense and familiar, again a function of the – Seasoning. I was taken right back to the glory years of The Village (Glasgow) and their Vegetable Rice. This Biryani had even more. There was a sufficient moistness to it and so could have been eaten without a Masala. If the Rice had Flavour, so the Potatoes packed even more. Served in large pieces, the Potatoes had the perfect texture and had absorbed the Spices from the Rice, absolutely – Superb!

I shall never forget this Biryani.

Large pieces of cooked Tomato permeated the Masala. The Meat was mostly – Soft – and gave off the distinctive Mutton Flavour that many a Curry has not. The Spice Level was not demanding, indeed, such was the level of pleasure already being enjoyed, why try to improve upon perfection? I found more Capsicum, so not quite perfect then. The slivers were rounded up and piled in the karahi, they were not interfering with my enjoyment of this wonderful meal.

I looked over to Mein Host soon after I started eating:

This is beautiful.

He smiled in acknowledgement. He did come over again after the – Shorva incident – to ask the customary question, and even offer more food. Between us we managed just about all the Rice, the Vegetables were no problem. What a meal!

The Bill

€22.50 (£19.07) Great value for what was effectively three Dishes. The Dal Terka was priced at €6.50. I had only been charged €7.00 for what was listed as – Lamb Curry.

The Aftermath

As I approached the counter to pay and introduce Curry-Heute, so Mein Host offered to waive the price of the Daal. I was having none of this. Marg even added to the tip.

There had to be a photo. On completion of this ritual, so another chap appeared at the kitchen hatch.

You are the Chef? – a sort of rhetorical question.

*

Chef was not missing out.

And so we headed up towards the castle. Metres away from Taste of Pakistan is Taste of Punjab. Mein Host there came to the door as I took photos of the exterior. Same again tomorrow, but something – Portuguese – this evening. 

Menu (extracts)