Before matters Curry, I’ll sneak in a mini music post. This afternoon at Alexanderplatz, the sounds of an amazing – groove – wafted through the air. A three piece called Dr. Phil Harmonic, guitar, bass, drums. I should have bought their CD, next time.
This evening Marg and Hector dined at Chutnify (Sredzkistraße 43, 10435 Berlin Deutschland), a Curry House which has been on the radar for some years. Each time I have done the walk along Sredzkistraße from Manifest Taproom (the former Stone Brewing Taproom) to Bräugier, in Prenzlauer Berg, I have witnessed the many people sat at the benches outside Chutnify. In the sixteen Berlin Curry Houses covered to date in Curry-Heute, along with Sadhu, these two have easily been the busiest I have witnessed, yet, on a certain navigation medium, Chutnify it is not rated highly. What do the locals know? Hector was here to find out.
This branch of Chutnify is one of two in Berlin, the other being south of the river in Neukölln. Imagine my surprise when further research revealed three other Chutnify outlets in Portugal. These branches are in Lisboa, Cascais and Porto-Gaia respectively. Hector and Marg had Curry in these three loci just last month. I have must have dismissed Chutnify on each occasion.
With a strong preference for clean air, we climbed up the few stairs to the first of two seating areas. One diner sat in the lower level, a couple up the next few steps in the main dining room. The male, front of house chap greeted us, it was 18.15. Did we have a reservation? He checked the computer, we could have the far corner table. We 
were advised that the menu could be accessed using the QR code at the table. Ten minutes later we had not managed this, the signal both indoors and out was not for letting us download the pdf file. Why did we have to download it anyway, annoying junk. I attracted the attention of the front of house lady who suggested I try the Wi-Fi. This required a password. No sign of any password, why not have it on the back of the QR code? After a Thali had been taken outside, she came over and entered the password on both of our phones. Success was immediate.
Chutnify is a South Indian restaurant, good news for Hector, but Chettinad was only available in Chicken (€13.00). Marg nearly had this, but then spotted Allepey Fish Curry (€15.50). Curry choices at Chutnify are comparatively few. There was only one Lamb option – Telangana Lamb – (€17.00) with a three Chilli rating. The Allepey was a mere two.
Despite the comparably high prices, there was nothing seen on the menu to state that Rice was included. Marg would have Basmati (€2.00) Hector the Cauliflower Rice (€3.50).
At 18.40, our Order was taken. The lady advised that Rice was inclusive, no Gobi for Hector. A bottle of Sparkling Water (€6.00) concluded the proceedings. And so we sat, watching Thali after Thali go outdoors. Both of our Curry choices were available as a Thali (€19.00). I will need to check next time, but there was the sense that this option meant greater Diversity, but less Curry.
Just on 19.00, the Sparkling Water was brought, the Curry moments later.
One Curry was very much of Berlin, the other had authenticity written all over it.
For once in Deutschland, the Rice portions were sensible. Wastage would be minimal.
Alleppey Fish Curry
Sea Bass, Coconut Milk, Mustard and Ginger – the menu tells us. It didn’t say it was Fish in a creamy Tomato Soup. Creamy Curry in Berlin again. I was happy that I had not been the one who ordered this.
There was plenty of Fish, but without a Vegetable no Diversity. The Thali option therefore has its advantages. I took a Soupçon of the Shorva, definitely worth the – two Chillies. Having come to terms with the Tomato Soup, I was puzzled by the tanginess. However, I was far too busy to dwell on this.
Marg, in the end, would leave the surplus Masala, and about a quarter of the Rice, having reached her capacity.
Lovely pieces of fish, in a rich, creamy, tomato sauce. A tasty kick to complement the the rice. A different meal.
Later I had another go at the Shorva. This had an impressive depth of Flavour. Was the tanginess down to the Mustard? Despite its horrendous appearance, I would consider this to be a worthy Curry.
Telangana Lamb
The long, floating – dark, red Chilli, looked menacing. Again Shorva, but no nasty colouring to worry about here. This looked like echtes Indian Curry, and I do deliberately differentiate between this and my usual intake of Desi-Punjabi fayre. Slow-cooked Lamb – was mentioned in the description, I was surprised to find wedges of Potato in there too. Meat and Vegetables, yay! And the Potato hopefully had not just been introduced to the blended Masala.
Five large pieces of Meat were decanted, one was huge, the equivalent of three in other servings. Plenty of Meat.
And what Meat! Tender does not belong here. This was super-soft Lamb, as always my admiration is expressed for Chefs who can take Meat to the edge of turning to pulp. This was Curried Lamb. A huge Peppery blast hit the palate, three Chillies indeed. In time I would unearth a Curry Leaf and a Clove. Whole Spices in a Berlin Curry? What was happening here? The Flavours were intense, this Curry did not quite reach the smokiness of a Chettinad but was not far off. Earthy, demanding, the Spice was there, the Seasoning was there, finally something to excite in Berlin. However, there was a problem.
Warm – may best describe the temperature of this meal. As one who likes their food to be served – steaming hot – this fell short. Again, next time, I’ll ask to ensure perfection.
With a thicker Masala and served hotter, Hector would have been declaring the – Wow. Hector has found a Curry House in Berlin, and next time in Lisboa, I’ll be there also.
It took ten minutes after we had finished eating, to establish that one paid at the counter. Still the Thali were going outside. The lady addressed me:
You want to pay together?
Getrennt – it’s a German thing. Not today.
The Bill
€38.50 (£31.90) Worth every Pfennig.
The Aftermath
Realising that still more Thali had to be taken outside, I gave the Calling Card and briefly introduced Curry-Heute.
That was the first Curry I’ve had in Berlin which actually tasted as if it had been cooked by an Indian.
That went down well.
I’m fed up with Cream and Coconut.
That brought a big smile from her male colleague who was also rushed off his feet.
Chutnify, it’s always busy, now I appreciate why.
Chutnify is also open at lunchtimes, and is closed on Mondays.
Menu
