Marg wanted to visit the Oberbaumbrücke, Hector – The Wall Museum – and so Curry across the River Spree felt logical. Sadhu Pakistani Restaurant (Falckensteinstraße 41, 10997 Berlin, Deutschland) has been visited twice previously. Sadhu, the namesake of Hector’s birth place in Praha. It could be classed – as good as it gets – for Berlin Curry. I’m still looking for genuine – Desi fayre.
Arriving at 13.45, I was surprised at how empty the place was, a handful of diners only. Previously, this venue was bustling, perhaps because it was Saturday? I attempted to consult a well known and reliable Curry Blog to establish what I ordered here before. Alas, the phone signal wasn’t having it. Eventually, I secured the wi-fi password (sadhusadhusadhuw) but only after I had ordered the same as last time.
A splendidly cool 0.75l bottle of Sparkling Water (€6.90) got things underway. Outside conditions are slowly changing, warm in the sun, cold in the shade. By the time we leave Berlin it might actually be – hot.
Lamm Bhuna (€12.90) was ordered, Basmati included as is the European way. Marg chose Murgh Salat (€6.50). With so few fellow diners, service was prompt, efficient.
Complimentary Poppadoms, with the embedded Cumin Seeds were provided along with three Dips. I informed Marg that either the red one, or the green, was fierce. Marg confirmed it was the green. Curry-Heute would have informed me that the Green Dip was – absolute hell.
Murgh Salat
Throughout Lockdown, Marg’s Salads became legendary on a certain social medium. Today, here was a Bunte Salat fit for a Marg. The Chicken Tikka was covered by a mass of Lettuce, Rocket, Tomato and Green Peppers. Slices of Carrot and Cucumber formed the peripheral guard. Slices of Orange added another dimension. The swirl of Chilli Sauce and Yoghurt was a work of art.
That I would be finished my Curry before Marg put away her Salad, says everything about its enormity.
Very enjoyable, loads of vegetables. The orange added a tanginess, very refreshing.
I think we have established that the Murgh Salat is a meal in itself and should not be considered an entrée.
Lamm Bhuna
Last time this was Bhuna Gosht (€14.20) from the Specials Board. Today’s Lamm Bhuna was from the Chef’s Recommendations at the start of the menu. It was not part of the main list of Lamb Dishes. Back in 2019, it is possible I was served something approaching a – Desi Curry.
The Ginger Strips and modest Coriander topped a reasonably Thick Masala. The Masala was full of Tomato and Onion, the latter thankfully – finely chopped. This was a step up from the usual blended Masala.
Once again in a European Curry House, the Rice portion was ridiculous. I took my fill of well cooked, fluffy Basmati. What happens to the remainder? A friend who used to work in catering once asked me at home – do you recycle rice? … and he wasn’t referring to the leftovers nobody had taken, but that left on their plates.
I didn’t count the Meat as I decanted, it was easily into double figures. The Lamb proved to be so Tender-soft, minimal chewing was required. As ever, the Lamb was such that one concludes it had only recently met the Masala.
Spice was not registering on the palate, how could it after the assault by the – Green Dip? However, the Seasoning was, and so somewhat distinctive Flavours were coming across. I spotted finely cut pieces of Red Chillies in the Masala. There was therefore a hint of South India to this Bhuna.
My meal had cooled substantially, yet note the initial vapour rising. The temperature of the Rice was cooling the Curry. Eventually I had to record that this Curry needed more Spice and more Heat.
A pity, this otherwise, was – as good as it gets.
The Bill
€26.30 (£21.95) I paid by card, my app showed – Shalimar. Now there’s a mystery.
The Aftermath
We walked back across the Spree to The Wall Museum. How we could do with a Gorbachev today.