Glasgow – Namak Mandi – Another Day, Another Curry

Having spotted the banner advertising the £4.99 Buffet Lunch at Namak Mandi (21-23 Bridge St, Glasgow G5 9JB), Ricky, The Man from Bradford, was interested, he loves Curry but loves low prices even more. To the best of Hector’s knowledge, this is even cheaper than anywhere in Bradford.  Hector will admit to not being overenthusiastic, but having consulted a well known and reliable Curry Blog, as did Ricky, we were on for a 14.00 rendezvous, the Buffet ends at 15.00.

Mags joined us today, Dr. Stan was in tow being The Rickmeister’s host. We were shown through to the extension by a young waitress. That was it, no instructions given, get on with it. I took photos of the Dishes under consideration, not the Pasta, Rice with Peppers or the Chana Daal.

Kofta was there else we would have left, today it was Aloo Kofta which would particularly please Mags. The Chana Masala would make an excellent side, the Chicken Biryani also. I took two Chicken Wings to act as a Starter, all on the same plate.

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There was another Dish, Chicken with Peppers, lots of them. Hector gave this the big swerve, my fellow diners all had it and had to wind me up by telling me how tasty it was, aye right.

Ricky was disappointed with the lack of Starters, but this was nothing compared to what followed. He went to ask the waitress, who was then in the main dining room, for a jug of water. She pointed to the bottles in the fridge, Ricky pointed to the jug on a table.

The policy at Namak Mandi, he was told, is that Tap Water is only available to those dining a la carte, not in the Buffet room. The reply was obvious, Ricky believed it to be a matter of law in both Scotland and England that anyone can walk in to any premises and ask for a glass of tap water. The waitress may only have been doing her job, their policy seemed out of order. The benefit of blogging is that a posteriori edits can be made, Curryspondent John clarifies the law in the comment attached below.

We had no water.

Hector’s Buffet Plate #1

The Chicken Wings were cold and so any pleasure which may have accrued was lost. I was here for the Kofta, this made the day. The blended Masala had a decent kick and was well Seasoned, this was was going to be a case of how much could I eat thereafter. The Kofta were Lamb, we had presumed that the cheaper – Chicken – would be served, this was even better. With a fine Herb content, so full of Flavour and again a good level of Spice, impressive. We agreed that these were as good an example of the genre as we have encountered.

Absolutely gorgeous Kofta – exclaimed The Man from Bradford. Ricky has long sung the praises of Kofta Curry first served at Karachi Restaurant in Bradford, and only there for a long time reportedly, then came the wonderful nights at International (Bradford) before the upgrade and the Shahi Kofta disappeared.

The presence of Potato added the diversity that Hector seeks. The Biryani was suitably aromatic, Green Cardamom piled up on the plate. The Soupçon of Chana Masala again added an alternative texture, just enough.

Another half dozen diners arrived after us, the Buffet was being stretched. Fresh Naan was brought out, and the trays nearest the door were being replenished, unfortunately the Kofta was at the far end. I joined Dr. Stan to take round #2, we agreed that there was only Potato left, no more Meatballs, and thus it remained. Actually, we finished the Potato.

Hector’s Buffet Plate #2

The Chicken in the Biryani was the only Meat on the plate, as ever, it did nothing for me. The Vegetable Biryani would have been considered, but Hector was not going to put Capsicum on his own plate. Plate #2 was very much about appreciating the quality of the Masala with the Potato, more Kofta and I would have been in raptures. £4.99? I had eaten my share, and enough Chickpeas for one day.

Dr. Stan apparently had the scrapings off the Dessert tray, he was certainly having full value:

Creamy this pudding – he had to tell us – the Koftas were good, spicy. The Daal was also good.

Mags:

The Kofta was amazing, lots of Potato …to my liking.

Finally, The Rickmeister:

Chicken with Peppers were quite good, never seen in Bradford. Kofta is my favourite dish and that was acceptable. I’ll come back again despite (the refusal of tap water). Shame Dr. Stan nicked all the pudding.

The Bill

£19.96    No water, no tip.

The Aftermath

The waitress was thanked, we communicated our appreciation of the Kofta to Mein Host who was standing at the open kitchen. I spotted Karahi Gosht on the stove in a big pot. Mmmmm, I’ll have to come back.