Salford – Maida Grill House – Across the River Irwell

Salford, a city within Greater Manchester and the locus of Curry-Heute. Maida Grill House (36 Liverpool St., Salford M5 4LT England) was discovered in a routine search for new venues whilst in Manchester. Yesterday at Kabana, I declared to Rizwan that if it was raining, and it has consistently in the last week, I would be back for – Hector’s Fish Creation, else I would walk to Maida across the River Irwell.

You’ll be recognised – was Rizwan’s reaction, Lalaa, the proprietor is a former Kabana employee – you’ll know him – I was further assured.

Today, Storm Jocelyn has abated, who’s next? Marg and Hector set off on our sojourn, a forty five minute walk. Public transport from the Northern Quarter to Liverpool St. would still have left us with a significant walk. Why bother? There would be an Uber back. A Liverpool Street in Salford, a wind up?

Entering Maida at 14.15, Lalaa, Mein Host greeted warmly, he never did confirm any sense of recognition.

Rice & Three (£8.50) was the obvious Order for Hector, the best way to evaluate the Fayre at a new venue. The – Daily Specials – on the printed menu corresponded with the Board, this suited the Hector. The Mix Veg would offer a Diversity of Texture, Keema Peas might offer a Methi Blast and of course Lamb Karahi (with bone) should reveal all about Maida.

Marg enquired about Starters, Vegetable Pakora, not seen on the menu would suffice. The Order was relayed to the kitchen where three ladies were busying themselves. A table of three chaps was ahead of us, meanwhile an array of tools at another conveyed that other work was about to get underway.

One of the ladies brought the Pakora and accompanying sauces.

Vegetable Pakora

Four large pieces, and quite an array of Salad elements, created quite a plateful. A worthy snack. Potato and Spinach formed the interior of the Pakora which we both felt was more – Bhaji-like.

One of yesterday’s – Specials – was Spinach Potato (£5.00), so a good example of using up leftovers. Marg found the batter to be – a bit soggy – and speculated that a microwave had done it no favours.

Rice & Three

Coriander and sliced Green Chillies, the – foliage – had already been applied. The three portions of Curry were more than enough to titillate. Beneath lay a mass of Rice, of European proportions. I started with the Lamb Karahi.

Ho-ho-ho – was the Hector reaction as I pointed out this section of the plate to Marg. Wonderful! The Seasoning was right up there, the Spice Level was such there was a definite – kick. The viscous, Minimal Masala was markedly different than the – Karahi – served in the Curry Cafes across the water. I unearthed a Sucky Bone, this Curry was doing it all. The soft Meat was giving off Clove as is a common feature in this region. A plateful of this alone next time could be tempting.

Aloo Gobi appeared to be the dominant feature of the Mixed Veg. The Texture of both the Potato and Cauliflower was spot on. Carrot, Peas, Green Beans and Sweetcorn also featured. The Masala here was – even less. Just how much of this had been absorbed by the Vegetables and the Rice below?

The Keema Peas was again – Dry. One always congratulates Chef when needless moisture is not served with this Curry. With an Earthy Flavour, I was aware of waiting for more, more Methi. This never arrived. The Keema felt the – least – of the – Three – comparisons being inevitable. Maybe Rice & Three feels too much like Buffet, the Hector works better with a Meat main course and a Side of Vegetables.

Everything that can be seen in the first photo was eaten, i.e. all the Curry. I had no chance with the Rice. The irony of course is that the Rice had absorbed so much of the available Masala, in the final mouthfuls I could have done with more. Dry Curry works better with Bread, but that is not the nature of this Greater Manchester institution.

Lalaa came over to ask the customary question.

Your Karahi is excellent – was the first praise. He claimed that Maida is the only place this side of the Irwell serving Lamb on-the-bone, and went on to mention Manchester’s Northern Quarter and Cheetham Hill. I do not recall any mention of Rusholme, but who still goes there, for Curry?

The Bill

£11.00   Classic Curry Cafe value.

The Aftermath

The Calling Card was given to one of the ladies. Mein Host was dealing with other matters. Meanwhile, there was the ongoing cacophony of a drill in full grind mode, a new heater was being fitted. We weren’t for hanging around.

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