Hector blogging about a Punjabi Curry Cafe, nothing unusual there, however, this is the first ever review from Australia. Hector posting a – selfie? The last act of a desperate man, or the first act of Henry V?
Marg and Hector have crossed the Equator, but too soon to avoid the continuous tropical downpour at 27ºS. It’s all about not crossing back again before it’s warm enough up top.
Hector is dining alone, Marg has gone to an event at a Brisbane primary school involving seasonal bonnets, not Scotch Bonnets, else the Hector may have shown some interest. Having seen Marg off at Brisbane Central Station, who knows where she’ll end up, Punjabi Rasoi (401 Edward St, Spring Hill QLD 4000 Australia) just happened to be up the hill from there. This is the type of venue I failed to discover in Singapore, a veritable Curry Cafe with the fayre on display, and multiple options/combinations on offer.
Arriving at 13.50, they close for the afternoon at 14.30, a chap came out to take my order once I had studied the kettles. Goat Curry, Lamb Rogan Josh with Rice, plus the inclusive drink.
The Bill
A$13.50 (£6.48) Amazing value!
I was handed a buzzer and invited to take a seat, time to get my bearings. A Curry Cafe, but with a banqueting hall to the rear, so much more then.
Having been summoned to the counter, I took a cola from the fridge. Wooden cutlery, after two Quantas flights, I’ve had enough of this. Wood on the tongue is horrible, off-putting, spoils the food. Had I ordered Bread instead of Rice I could have avoided this.
This was a lot of food for a fiver.
Goat Curry
Four large pieces of Goat Meat served on-the-bone sat in a standard Masala. Less Meat than on the other side of the plate, I wonder why.
The Flavour from the Masala was quite familiar, the sharp Spiciness I associate when experimenting with packet pre-mixed Spices. Clearly, I cannot say that is what it was, but that is how it tasted. A whole Green Cardamom was unearthed, so maybe there was more to this Curry. The Goat still had a couple of stray offal pieces attached, as long as it’s not overdone I am happy with this. If bone adds more Flavour then why can’t a stray bit of tubing? This was as Tender Goat Meat as I have encountered, and having sat in the Masala had a lot to give.
The Seasoning was low, a pity. But being the first taste of Curry in the Southern Hemisphere, not a bad start.
Lamb Rogan Josh
Nine pieces of Meat, and with lots of Rice still to go the realisation that the plate would not be cleared. I could not put the fork in my mouth to clear the abundant Rice.
The Masala was comparable to the above and here the Cinnamon Bark stood out. A piece of Star Anise was encountered along with another Green Cardamom. Despite this Curry appearing to offer more, it actually had less Flavour, boneless Lamb, I rest my case. However, that was not the principal cause, the Seasoning was so low, it was off the scale. I looked around, there was plenty of Salt to be had at the counter, but Hector’s self-discipline has banned adding this to any food once presented.
Salt would have transformed this Curry. Khara, this was not.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was given to the girl behind the counter.
There was little interest/reaction.
At least Curry-Heute celebrates Hector’s first Curry in the Southern Hemisphere.