Wroclaw, few say it correctly, and it’s impossible to reproduce correctly in WordPress. In 2019 a group of us came over for the Wroclawski Festiwal Dobegro Piwa. So good was it, even more of us booked up for 2020. At least we all got our money back, eventually.
2023 sees a Boy’s Trip to the Bier Festival, with Michal making his debut in Curry-Heute. Again the correct rendition of – Micha? – is lost. To humour him, yesterday we had – Golabki – a traditional Polish dish I’ve been eating for more than sixty years.
Today, Curry, and the venue is one I have been walking past for many years: Maharaja Indian Restaurant – Art of Food (Hugona Kollataja 22, 50-002 Wroclaw, Polska). Maharaja is a Curry Cafe sited on the block north of the main train station.
We entered an empty Maharaja at 14.15. The waiter greeted and invited us to study the wall. There was no other menu to show us apparently.
Choices were minimal. I had to dismiss the Lamb Kadhai (Zl44) due to the listed ingredients featuring the Offending Vegetable, and the description suggesting – stir fry. This left straightforward Lamb Curry (Zl42) + Rice. Spicy – for Hector, as it comes for Michal. Cold half litre bottles of Water (Zl5) completed the Order: Still for Michal, Sparkling for Hector.
I could see the Chef get to work in the kitchen. This would be the second time in a week that I’ve had a straightforward – Curry. The wait felt appropriate.
Curry + Rice
The accompanying Rice was sensible a portion, not the usual – Euro Mountain.
The Curry was a classic example of why Karahi is preferred. This was – Soup. So – Soupy – it is difficult to describe the Masala as anything other than – gravy.
Pieces of Onion had been stirred in, one wonders how much Onion was used in cooking the Base Sauce? I counted eight pieces of Meat as I arranged the Lamb on the Rice.
Boxed Spices – the immediate reaction, this Gravy tasted as if it had come straight from a box of Mixed Spice Powders. With no solid Spice in the Sauce, the Hector was left shaking his head. But hang on…
There was a pronounced blast of Cinnamon, then a separate blast of Clove. From where had this originated, the same packet? The Spice Level was far from tame, the Seasoning was spot on. This Soupy Curry was surprisingly tasty!
I’ve had better – was Michal’s only remark.
I’ve had worse – was my simple reply.
How was the food? – asked the waiter.
I enjoyed it, simple, but tasty.
The Bill
Zl47 (£9.07) Each
The Aftermath
The presentation of the Calling Card sparked an interest. Suddenly copies of a menu were presented – for next week. The new menu is clearly more extensive and features a mean looking Lamb Curry. Methi too? A brief visit to Wroclaw is scheduled for later in the year. Let’s see what’s on offer then.
Two Days Later
Steve, who has been sneaking out for Curry on his own, paid a visit to Maharaja. Not only did he enjoy his Curry, the debris on his plate shows whole Cloves and pieces of Cinnamon Bark.
Maharaja Indian Restaurant (Art of Food) is worthy of further investigation.