Lamb Chops Tikka (£6.50) at Kabana (22 Back Turner St., Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 1FR England), Marg had them on Monday, Clive on Tuesday, today, finally, it’s Hector’s turn. Are they that good? At this price for four large Lamb Chops, you’d better believe it.
After coffee, Marg and Hector arrived at Kabana at 13.330, our preferred time. Yvonne and Mags who turned up at 13.00 insist it was quieter then. Are other peeps following the Hector Model? They were sat with Josh near the door. To the rear, at the side table, Clive, Maggie and Steve were well underway, this saves me so much writing. Marg, who was dining later, restricted her order to Indian Tea (£3.00), her third of the week.
Having placed the Order, I took my seat, a ten minute wait was anticipated. Dr. Stan then turned up, complete with his dose of Rice & Three (£8.50). From the – Specials Board – today he had selected Karahi Lamb, Keema Peas, Spinach and Potatoes (Saag Aloo).
In all of my sixty-plus visits to Kabana, I don’t think I’ve ever had Rice & Three, next month?
Lamb Chops Tikka
One sits, thinking that what is coming shall be the same as seen twice already this week, not when Rizwan, Mein Host, is involved. He brought the Chops to the table.
Nobody was prepared to see one of the Chops with a flame still burning. A flame, not a flicker, it was not going out anytime soon. This provided the opperchancity to mark the moment, multiple photos. Finally, when I blew out the flame, Maggie and Marg, sitting opposite, spontaneously burst into:
Happy Birthday to You!
Akbar’s (Glasgow) has long been reported as serving the best Lamb Chops ever experienced. Today, the baton is officially passed on. Cremated – how many times have Marg and I asked for – cremated Lamb Chops? At Kabana, there’s no need evidently.
The burnt, sooty, extremities provide their own Flavour, the gritty charcoal. Smokin’ man!
The Chops themselves had been marinated in Spices, Yoghurt too I would expect. The cooking had left the Meaty parts juicy, the best of both worlds.
Between mouthfuls of Meat, the Raita covered Salad, then the Spiced Onions were tackled. The hands, fingers, were a mess. Rizwan, who was also savouring the spectacle, reminded me I could use the facilities to clean up afterwards.
The Spice kept building, the tip of the tongue was tingling. Meatiness, then gnawing the bones, hoping for more. Yvonne wouldn’t do this. Did I mention there were four? Four Lamb Chops, how often has the Hector been let loose on four, all to himself, no sharing….
How to have this again? As a Starter, then order a Curry? Have a Curry then order a portion if there is anything remotely like an appetite remaining? These dilemmas lie in the future. Suffice to say, three of us had Lamb Chops at Kabana this week, three more than satisfied customers.
The Bill
£9.50
The Aftermath
In passing Al-Faisal Tandoori this week, the shutters have been down. Gone, or a holiday, I had to ask Rizwan.
Apparently, Al-Faisal closed two months ago, suddenly. No more Tariq or Salim.
Later this afternoon, the ritual of the trapped, then released, Cumin Seed was played out once more. Much later, a Curryspondent saw a posting on a certain social medium and asked if I was still in California. OK, the banner at the head of this review may be in bad taste, however, this line is too good to not share.