Brussel – Spoonful of India – Curry for the Cognoscenti

So why was Hector dining at Spoonful of India (Rue Sainte-Catherine 22, 1000 Brussel Belgium), when the easy choice was to return once more to CHILLI Grill? The menu, simples.

Whilst there are many Curry Houses around the centre of Brussel, research, so far, finds them all to be Mainstream in the extreme. Spoonful of India does not serve the ubiquitous Chicken Tikka Masala and Rogan Josh, they do have one of Hector’s favourite alternatives to Lahori/Punjabi fayre: Lamb Sukkha (€20.00). Not only that, the Bread  favoured most in these pages, is also available: Malabar Parota (€3.50).

Arriving at 13.50, having dodged the continuing heavy showers, Spoonful of India was empty. People had therefore taken refuge in the abundant nearby cafes, not thought – let’s go for Curry. For the keen Meteorologists, Belgien finds itself at the boundary of the super-hot air mass which is currently over central and southern Europe, and the not so hot maritime air coming from the Atlantic. The result? Precipitation! The weathermen simply predicted a week of showers here, and when they come, they mean it.

The charming young waitress greeted and let me choose a small table some way into the long, and correspondingly narrow, premises. Hector was not going to be window dressing today. The Order was relayed having checked that Rice was not inclusive. Was that a Spice Level warning I was being given?

I’ll put medium – said the waitress as she entered the details on her pad.

Medium with a – kick – would have been ideal.

A half litre bottle of Sparkling Water (€3.50) completed the Order.

I was subsequently presented with a basket containing two quarters of a Poppadom, and some crispy nibbles. Rather than have the green ones stare at me, these were eaten first. There was a bit of Spice here and certainly Seasoning. Not bad at all.

I had time to take in my surroundings. The plain white walls are adorned with photos of the Homeland, simple décor, effective. The kitchen was some way behind me. I was amused when a Chef came out to study the menu. I hoped he wasn’t checking up on what exactly a Lamb Sukkha is.

At 14.05 there was a – Ding! – in the kitchen, not quite a World Record then. The Curry sat on the same plate as the Malabar Parota. I removed the Curry so as to see the Parota in all its glory. Served whole, as thankfully they always are, this was easily the largest Parota served to Hector yet. It was not the customary – white – but was close to the real deal. Soft and flaky, with lovely burnt bits, and the telltale spiral, this was a worthy Paratha. I would manage all, and not have to eke it out.

Lamb Sukkha

Dry – this was not, so by definition, one has to challenge the efficacy. The Masala was certainly thick, and the pulped Meat added to this. I could not count the pieces of Lamb at the start as I was not going to needlessly decant to the plate. Plenty of Meat, this was going to be a filling meal.

Hot food, both the Curry and Parota, a good start. The anticipated – smokiness – was not as strong as hoped for, but was certainly there. Where was the whole, dried Red Chilli which I have come to accept as the norm? Instead, Curry Leaves, who knows how long these had been associated with the Masala?

The distinctive Flavour of a South Indian Curry came across. If there was Coconut, it was not interfering. I have to compare this Curry to the Glasgow Curry Houses which serve this Curry: Bombaywalla – Indian Street Kitchen, and once upon a time Madhras Dosa when it was Banana Leaf. Bombaywalla once challenged the Hector with the level of Seasoning, but this brings out the full impact of the Spices. Had the level of Seasoning been more at Spoonful of India, then the Flavours could have been more intense.

Most of the Lamb was super-soft, one could have sucked as an alternative to chewing. The combination of Sukkha and Parota is tried and tested, they work brilliantly together. As an alternative to the oft reviewed Karahi Gosht  this is certainly worth a try. And when in Brussel, Spoonful of India is where to get it.

The Bill

€24.50 (£21.22) This was €2.50 less than anticipated. There is a special deal for having this combination (€21.50).

The Aftermath

The Calling Card was given to the young waitress. She immediately said she would call her boss. And so Hector was introduced to the owner, another charming lady who originates from Bangladesh. (correction: see comment from Team – Spoonful of India – below) Having been involved in catering for some years she established Spoonful of India. Her model was not to serve Mainstream Dishes, but those which are true to their region. I was then given an explanation as to the wall art, and the famous faces shown. And so we have the photos. Those who know, will know.

Menu