A Friday night in December and Hector is out for Curry. Stranger things have happened. Tonight, Wendy and Peter invited Marg and Hector to help them spend £50.00 worth of tokens at Turban Tandoori (Station Rd, Giffnock, Glasgow G46 6JF).
The booking was for 17.00 in order to fill the gap between matches in the World Cup.
On arriving at Turban Tandoori, Hector entered last. Jai, sporting his Movember appendage shook Hector’s hand. This was only our third meeting, however, the memory of the launch of his brother’s – Danny Singh’s Gandhi – lives long. Danny has given up his restaurant and is enjoying retirement, aren’t we all?
We were shown to a corner table, menus were issued and Complimentary Poppadoms, Dips, Lime Pickle and a big pot of Spiced Onions soon arrived. This is how it should be.
A large bottle of Sparking Water and two glasses of red wine were ordered. And for once I was not caring about the price of these, or the following two glasses. Who has wine with Curry?
In the car, I reminded my fellow diners what we had back in April 2019. Jai talked us through the Specials, unfortunately one was Chicken and the Lamb Curry was the Lamb Desi had last time. However, the mention of Lamb on-the-bone almost tempted the Hector. Jai informed us that they have done their best to keep prices down. Salmon was a £4.00 supplement previously, tonight it was £5.00. How can Fish be that much more expensive than Red Meat? Regardless, I was still considering a Fish Curry but in – The House Specialities – I couldn’t see a Curry which would have justified the added cost. Lamb it would be, Lamb Achari (£12.95). Peter’s choice was Lamb Kerela (£12.95). Marg was trying to warn Peter, I had to remind her that Kerala is a region of southern India, Karela is the Bitter Gourd. A South Indian Curry, it could be special.
The ladies chose Creamy Curry commensurate with their gender. Can I write that? It’s my Blog, I just have. Empirically, I hold this to be true, the records in this Blog do not mislead.
Lamb Pistachio Korma (£9.95) for Wendy, and Lamb Malaidar (£12.95) for Marg, it is written. I see Shakuti (£9.95) also features in the list of Kormas. Spicy Korma, a pity it’s Creamy at Turban Tandoori, it doesn’t have to be. I must have another Spicy Lamb (Desi) Korma at Karahi Palace before the year end.
Wendy and Peter followed our lead: share a Rice and a Bread. For Marg and Hector: Desi Rice (£4.25) as highlighted by Jai, plus a Garlic & Coriander Nan (£3.95) – without the Garlic – that amused Jai. For Wendy and Peter: Saffron Pilau Rice (£3.50) and a Plain Nan (£2.95), sorted.
No Starters? – asked Jai.
I would like to know what percentage of people can actually finish a Curry having had a Starter. Would a study on this qualify for an academic research grant?
The finely cut Spiced Onions were a treat. I was about to tear in to the Lime Pickle when I remembered, I was having Achari. No need to saturate the palate before the arrival of my Lamb Curry with Pickle. Poppadoms for Hector twice in a week, these ones I enjoyed. Thanks, Jai, the gesture is always appreciated.
Turban Tandoori was quite empty when we arrived, soon every table was occupied. A full restaurant, I haven’t seen too often of late. Friday night, this must be when the majority go out to dine. Midweek, 15.00, remains the Hector optimum, yet most places are not open all afternoon.
Enough to share, the Desi Rice clearly had Spices mixed through. However, it did not make the same impact in terms of Flavour as the comparable Masala Rice at Bombaywalla – Indian Street Food, that was truly special. Next time at Turban Tandoori, I’ll again have the Mushroom Zeera Rice (£4.25), that was – wow!
Tandoori Naan, one thinks that all venues should master the presentation of this fine Bread. Alas, not the case, but here were two excellent Naans: risen, puffy, and big burnt blisters. The Coriander Naan was of course the better of the two. A pity they were served in bits, maybe no more room on the table otherwise.
Curry for The Chaps
Lamb Kerela
Fresh Tomato, Coriander and Coconut topped this pot of Curry. The Thick Masala reportedly included a blend of both Roasted Coconut and Cashew Nuts. Peter made his enjoyment clear from the start, both in terms of the Masala and the quality of the Lamb. Having come to appreciate that the Roasted Coconut is also responsible for creating the Smokey Flavour I associate with South Indian Curry (along with dried Red Chillies), I was on 
tenterhooks. When Peter reported no – smokiness – I felt a bit of a let-down. Perhaps the good people of Giffnock are not ready for this onslaught of Flavour? Peter’s verdict was certainly generous:
The lamb was incredibly tender, melt in the mouth. A little bit of sweetness from the coconut, with a slight kick from the other spices, very enjoyable.
Not a – Sweet & Sour – a – Sweet & Kick.
Lamb Achari
The whole Green Chilli stared at the Hector, threateningly. Did Jai have this added especially, or is this how it comes? The Coriander would complement the Coriander on the Naan, one cannot have too many Herbs. When Peter had used the term – kick – he admitted that perhaps he was over emphasising the Spice Level in his Curry. Hector was well aware of what a whole Green Chilli is going to add to a Curry. Slice it I did, no issues with Spice Level in this Achari. The blended Masala was viscous, and far from excessive.
I waited for the blast of Pickle, there was certainly a sense that this had been included, but no – blast. At the point of ordering, Jai had pointed out the possible ferocity of this addition. I assured him I could manage. There was nothing for it, the retained Lime Pickle had to be stirred through, now we’re talking! This was Achari!
In the midst of all this, I noted that the Rice was not adding anything more to the Dish. Wiping the bowl with the Naan was a joy. When this ran out, there was another source of Masala, see below.
The majority of my ten pieces of Meat required chewing, only a few pieces were as Tender as Peter had described. The quality of the Lamb was apparent, tasty Meat. Yet as is usually the case in a Mainstream Curry House, the Meat was not giving of any more than the Flavour of the Lamb itself. Well, I suppose the Pickle had only recently been stirred in so expecting more in this department could be optimistic.
A Gender Neutral Curry
Daal
Another Complimentary Dish brought by Jai with the Mains, this made me wonder if he had just been reading the review of our last visit. Then, Wendy had ordered the Turban Special Daal, which turned out to be too Soupy, hardly – special. Tonight we had a much more robust Daal, we each had a share. This is where the Naan came into vogue once more, for Hector it became Curry & Rice, alternating with Daal & Naan. Diversity, excellent, the making of a meal. Once again, thanks to Jai.
Curry for The Chapattis
Lamb Malaidar
The equivalent of a German Saag/Palak, Hector has encountered this in Deutschland too often. A Creamy Curry with Spinach, the epitome of all that the Hector – tries to – avoid. And it looked – disgusting.
Marg loved it, this is her style of Curry, look what happens when she is let loose. Marg ate the lot, for Hector it was – eyes right.
Despite the colour, it was a very tasty dish, with a good portion of tender lamb. Very enjoyable.
So it goes. It’s about time Marg was exposed once more to a kilo of Karahi served on a flat karahi, and on-the-bone.
Lamb Pistachio Korma
Yellow, Creamy, Soupy, what’s not to like? Everything, as far as – Hector’s Book of Curry – goes. However, this is what happens when one goes out as a couple, it’s not called – The Silly Season – for nothing. If people didn’t order this, then it wouldn’t be on the menu, I suppose, and restaurants such as Turban Tandoori wouldn’t be wedged and win Awards. Who wins Awards? Not the Curry Houses I most frequent. I wonder why this is so? Answers on a SAE to …
Anyway, here’s Wendy’s verdict on her Nutty Curry, with Cinnamon:
I was hoping for a tasty lamb dish, not too hot, and it delivered in every department. I enjoyed the combination of the lamb, Daal and Saffron Rice.
I’ll be back when the girls give me another voucher.
We had been told they needed the table back by 18.30. At 18.30 there was still wine to be finished, we were not rushed.
The Bill
£97.70 Way better value than my other meal for four in Crieff earlier in the week.
The Aftermath
We made our way to the door, passing the throng. Our thanks were expressed once more to Jai and his team for looking after us. As Wendy said, we’ll be back, as and when.
2022 Menu extracts
