Today was Marg and Hector’s fourth Glasgow Mela. A day when the majority of the congregation, having a heritage in the Indian Subcontinent, mingle in Kelvingrove Park, whilst avoiding what appears to be a pram rally. No Bier tent – was one observation made before a further realisation dawned. After the – Around The World In 80 Days – sojourn I have become used to a significant oriental presence at every locus. Not today, and quite unusual in Glasgow’s West End. Was this down to there being no big onions in the blandest of yellow sauces?
2014 was our first Mela, then in its twenty fourth year, so today makes thirty four, half a lifetime. When it rains, it’s horrible, thankfully today we were spared. Parking in our usual spot near Madhras Dosa we made our way along Kelvingrove. It was 14.45 when we entered the Park, the crowd was sizeable, have I mentioned prams?
A small tent had a female choir, I was more amused by the adjacent Chaiiwalla tent, not that I was about to have any of that milky nonsense, but I thought Marg might have made a beeline. The main Curry stalls were in situ, same locus as every year. Last time I had Karahi Gosht from Red Cherry (Manchester), today I was determined to have the same but from Lahori Street Food. In 2019, arriving at the close of play, the Hector talked the boss of the then closed stall into supplying food for two. As no money changed hands, it’s about time we put put cash in the coffers of Shangreela Caterers (3 King Cliffe Rd, Huddersfield HD2 2RR England).
Hundreds queuing for Curry, what a wonderful sight. Punjabi-English Curry too, there were no big Glasgow names on site today as there have been in the past. With multiple queues the – normal distribution – came to mind, I chose a line at the edge of the throng. Yes it was shorter, but then it hardly moved. Marg became involved when she observed the people in the adjacent queue being served by one of the two chaps in our section. Having concluded the people in front of us were needing managed, Marg was straight in there directing all until it was our fair turn. (I am always wary of posting photos of – the crowd – but there was a sign near the entrance warning that anyone passing that point can expect to be photographed, and by doing so, give consent.)
Before Marg sorted the World, and I believe our mammoth trip has made us both less tolerant of the docile, I managed to secure photos of the Fayre. Chicken, of course, for the masses, plus lots of Seekh Kebab. The Karahi Gosht stood out, proper Curry and served on-the-bone.
Meat Karahi with Rice (£12.00), twice, plus a Pink Tea was the Order. Salad with the Karahi was declined. No Tea, so Marg had Mango Lassi (£2.00). By this time we had four chaps serving our section.
The Bill
£26.00 Card payment was being accepted.
Whilst Marg waited for the food, the Hector went off to command a space at a table, no problem. Just the one pram.
Meat Karahi with Rice
The Rice was sticky in parts, producing Basmati by the tonne must be difficult. There was a threat of Spice on the Rice, not too shabby.
The Curry was decidedly on the small side, a mini-portion. I counted just seven bits of Meat, three of which were on-the-bone. Marg took pity and made mine up to the standard eight.
The Meat was Super-soft, bursting with Flavour, no Sucky Bones for Hector. The taste of English Curry, nay – Yorkshire Curry – was most apparent. Glasgow Karahi is markedly different, this was going to be thoroughly enjoyed, albeit a frustratingly small portion.
Whole Cloves were not visible, their Flavour came across a la Manchester Curry. Traces of sliced Green Chillies were strewn through the Thick, Minimal Masala. The Spice and Seasoning were – spot on – as Super Ally has been known to remark. Indeed, Marg and I agreed that the Spice Level was well above what one might expect for a Curry being served to the greater populace. Marg:
I thought it was very tasty, with a good level of spice. Tender meat, and a good helping of rice.
The Hector could happily have eaten twice as much, maybe a case for applying the old – India Club – tactic, three portions for two peeps.
The Aftermath
Ice Cream always follows, I had to remind Marg that better was available off site. We toured the rest of the event.
Marg was almost in the photo she took of the ladies having a break between shows. The big stage had a Qawwali band, Allah Hoo was ending as we walked on to the blaes. Nusrat has been gone for twenty seven years…
We watched for a while, easy songs to pick up as everything is repeated a la Middle of The Road. The sun came out, unglaublich.
And so we walked though the new section of the University campus to the bottom of Byres Road, what a mess they are making of this thoroughfare. Yet another cycle lane, tables on the pavement, so what about the pedestrians?
Little Curry House is undergoing expansion, not so little then.
University Cafe ice-cream, I know of no better in Glasgow, Scotland, The World!
