Erlangen, the University town between Nürnberg and Bamberg which features a seemingly disproportionate number of Curry Houses, has not been visited in the post-Covid era. Curry-Heute covers eight of the possibly ten bona fide outlets. It is seven years since I last visited Curry House (Helmstrasse 11, 91054, Erlangen, Bayern), a Curry Cafe, serving as close to – Desi – as one might find in this area.
Before meeting up with Howard for the usual Bamberg activity, the Hector headed south. The joy of the Deutschland Ticket, €49.00, presently, for the freedom of the nation for a month. Today’s little jaunt would have cost €19.20 otherwise.
Curry House lies metres from Erlangen train station. Before Curry (BC), I made a brief wander around the town centre.
The xmas markets were in situ, Monday, I believe is when they open across the land. Why are people flocking to the cities? Every town/village has one.
It was approaching 14.30 when I joined the only diner at Curry House. She smiled, a fellow traveller.
I took a table on the window side, behold, an illustration of what the Hector had in mind for today. Alu Gobi (€8.90), which being in Deutschland, comes with inclusive Rice.
I went up to order, and pay. The minimum spend on a card is €10.00, I took a bottle of Fanta (€3.20) from the fridge.
The Bill
€12.10 (£10.06) Truly.
Two staff sat behind me, having their mid-afternoon snack. I hadn’t recognised any of the faces, but then the chap doing the actual cooking came into view. On checking a well known and reliable Curry Website, I found his photo on the dedicated page for Curry House. I then realised that the chap beside him in the photo featured there had served me today. He was a youngster seven years ago. There was no sign of Mein Host, the hockey player. I had a story to tell him.
My food was brought to the table.
Alu Gobi
A Ginger Strip, a strip of Carrot and a threat of Coriander topped the mass of Potato and Cauliflower. With the inevitable harvest of Rice, a lot of eating, great value.
I counted nine pieces of Potato and six florets of Cauliflower which had been stained by the yellow Masala. This increased the chances that the Vegetables had absorbed the Flavours from the blended Masala.
The Potato immediately revealed that this was – Curry. The Cauliflower impressed also. It’s too easy to have this served – mushy. Today, the Cauliflower retained a sense of firmness. The distinctive Flavour of the Cauliflower itself came across, quite a juxtaposition to the Texture and Flavour of the Potato in a Curry.
The Rice would quickly absorb the Masala, I therefore kept them apart for as long as possible. The Vegetables themselves retained sufficient moisture, no need to worry about the palate drying out as is often a by-product of these Bier trips.
The Spice was at the – two wipes of the nose – Level. The Seasoning had been reigned in. Early visits to Curry House, featured levels of Seasoning never encountered before, maybe once since.
This Aloo Gobi was enjoyable, but not in the same league as that served in my home city. Not enough Punjabi input? Even Hector thinks he has cooked better than this.
The joy of being away from home is that it enhances the appreciation of what is on one’s doorstep. Yadgar (Glasgow) is overdue a visit. Kilos before xmas have been mooted already. Chaps, get in touch.