Many moons have passed since Hector and Marg last attended the – Ramadan Buffet – at The Village (119 West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA). This evening we were joined by Lord Clive and Lady Maggie of Crawley, who are in Bonnie Scotland to celebrate the Big Birthday of one of our company.
Last time here for this event, sunset in Glasgow was around the solstice, making – Iftär – unbearably late. In 2025, Ramadan has started almost month before the equinox, sunset is just on 18.00. A table was booked for this time.
Adam was at the greeting point, clipboard in hand, we were allocated a corner window table from where all could be surveyed.
You can take as many photos as you like, of the food – he advised.
Indeed, it was difficult to capture photos otherwise, the now divided dining room was stowed.
Tradition requires the wait for official kick-off, what I took to be an appropriate prayer broadcast over the sound system. Some were out the traps immediately, the Starters arranged along the window towards the Nelson Street exit. The flexible seating had created a barrier between the dining area and the main counter, here were the Meat Starters then the tureens with Main Courses. The Village Ramadan Buffet remains the only place known to Hector with the opperchancity to savour Desi Curry.
Until the drinks are ordered, one does not feel as if one is really present. A waitress brought glasses of the welcome drink – Rooh äfzäh – the soul refresher – made from herbs, fruits, flowers and vegetables. The aroma planted the sense of the Souk on the palate. Rosewater – is how the waitress translated this sweet and syrupy drink – god bless you Mr. Rosewater.
A drink made for Marg, surely. Neither she or Maggie took to it. The Hector would leave his for later, Dessert.
With Maggie incapacitated, Marg had to fetch her food whilst the Hector was Clive’s visual assistant. Who suggested Buffet?
Dates, enjoy them whilst one can. On our last trip to Maroc, we became used to indulging every day at breakfast. Leaving Agadir Airport at the end of 2023, I tried buying some at the Duty Free. How much? You can keep them.
The Sauces, and other distractions including tinned Fruit Salad, were the first items in the Buffet.
Ignore? – well Marg succumbed to the Fruit Salad. Shami Kebab, not my favourite, but Clive desired one, rare in Crawley.
Chapli Kebab, however, a must. These had a definite – kick. In effect, Spicy Chicken Burgers, yet when one orders a Chicken Burger outwith the World of Curry, it’s filet one is served, not ground meat.
Hector’s Starters
Vegetable Pakora, double fried given the well-fired appearance, and typically enjoyed here when having the Lunchtime Menu. Sound, with an Earthy Flavour, two pieces were enjoyed.
The flat Pakora I took to be Potato, though Aubergine was a possibility, one piece taken just in case. This indeed turned out to be a Spicy Fritter.
Pizza and Chips, popular among the Asian community. I am constantly amused when I see families out for Pizza. What was a big Pizza on my first trawl had mostly gone by the time I tried to secure a meaningful photo.
Away from the window side, the real stuff. Loads of Chicken in various guises, Tikka, Tandoori, Fish Pakora too. Marg had the Fish and was surprised at the lack of Spice. Normally the Hector would have dived in here, but the best part of the Buffet Starters was at the back of the Meat array: Lamb Chops!
This is when one recalls the year we came here twice: one night for the Starters one for the Curry. Every item on the plate would mean less Curry thereafter. To let the Hector loose on Lamb Chops, Marg too, and Clive wasn’t missing out either, risky business. We took – our fair share.
The Lamb Chops were smothered in a thick Spice coating. Unusually, they were moist as a result of sitting in a Gravy/Masala, again established when I went back to capture the images.
Do compare the differing preferences of Hector and Marg.
Marg’s Starters
The ladies had the Chana Salad, this was found to be particularly – hot. A bit of wastage here.
Maggie’s Starters
Clive’s Starters
There was a suitable gap between Starters and Mains, however, in any practical set-up, an hour should have been taken. The Curry strategy for Hector was clear, the final four tureens housed the Desi Curry.
It might be too Spicy – was Marg’s fear. I assured all that in Buffet, they cannot serve blisteringly Spicy food. And what lady is going to resist – Butter Chicken?
Rice, white or yellow Basmati, and Naan were at the start of the Mains. Again, filling one’s plate with these? Get real. The Hector was having Curry, no Sundries.
Haleem and Paya were both present.
Traditional Desi Fayre, both tried on previous visits, and hence the Hector can say – not for me.
Chicken: Tikka Masala, Butter and Achari, would have satisfied those who desire that sort of thing.
The presence of Noodles puzzled.
Ah, the Vegetable option, as was Chana Daal.
However, one Vegetable Curry was not to be missed, the Aloo Gobi was Hector’s first choice.
Lamb Bhuna, it was assumed would be classic Village Curry. Kofta Anda, on a help yourself basis, danger, Hector. Finally, Lamb Karahi. Four serious choices filled Hector’s plate.
Hector’s Plate
Aloo Gobi, the Seasoning in the Cauliflower impressed, whilst the Spice was in the Potato. Now for the Meat.
The Meat in the Lamb Bhuna was ultra-soft, the Masala was standard, blended. If Bhuna is considered a Dry Curry, then it was up to the customer to decide how much Masala was taken. A sense of Clove was present but not the Village Curry Flavour which has had me coming here for decades. If this was – Curry for the masses, then the Karahi bore little resemblance to this most revered Dish. Again, the photo in the tureen shows separated Oil, one needs some to experience the full Flavour. However, if one considers the flat karahi on which this gloriously Dry Curry can be served, to see this quantity of Masala made one question the efficacy of this interpretation, way too Soupy. Lamb on-the-bone, again on a help yourself basis, amazing value. One is expected to pay twice tonight’s Buffet fee for the kilo in this era, again, but a Soupçon was taken.
The pleasure, the joy of the variety, but as with – sharing – a bit of this, a bit of that. In effect Thali, not how the Hector eats. The Interesting Vegetable is always welcome, better than just Meat & Masala, and hey-ho, no Rice or Bread taken today. No Starters would have maximised the Curry intake, the – two visit – strategy is therefore recommended.
There’s more…
If I have enough room for Dessert, I’ll have more Curry instead – has long been the philosophy. There was little point going into – the other room – to investigate the sugary masses and not partake. The Gulab Jamun was delightfully warm. Just the one, no need to overindulge.
On my return, Adam asked if I had any complaints. On replying – Yes – he balked for a moment.
I only have one stomach.
Meanwhile, Marg had spotted Chai. I could smell the aroma of Cinnamon when she brought some back for herself and Maggie. For once, no milk had been added. Almost tempting, but it was time for the Hector to tackle the Rosewater.
Adam came to the table, he seemed pleased that the Chai had been sampled.
Qahwa – is the name given to this Tea which the Hector could actually drink. Next time.
As is the custom, my fellow diners were asked to contribute. Starters aside, it is interesting to note that Marg has come a long way from the early days:
There was a great array of options when we went up to choose our starters. I had decided not to overeat and chose one piece of Veg Pakora, Fish Pakora, Chinese Pancake Roll, Salad, Fruit Salad and Daal. There was a good spice to the Pakora and especially the Daal. The Fish was freshly made and the sweetness from the Fruit Salad calmed the spice in my mouth.
For my main course I thoroughly enjoyed the juicy Lamb Chop, the different sauces & meat from the Butter Chicken, Lamb Karahi and the vegetables in the Aloo Gobi. A variety of flavours on one plate.
My dessert consisted of the sweet rice, carrots (Halwa) and some nutty pastries. The tea was a perfect finish with strong cinnamon to help the digestion. I had forgotten the highlights of having a Buffet with so much variety and choice.
Maggie, who shall no doubt be more careful next time she sets foot on a treadmill, identified an issue which has lone been observed at The Village:
Starter, the salad, chicken and fish were enjoyable. The Chickpea was spicy hot. The salad had a **** dressing, the chicken fell off the bone.
The main course, all of the dishes were not heat hot, warm enough to eat. The method of retaining the heat was not good. The Lamb Chops were wonderful, just the right amount of spice. I could have eaten them ad infinitum. The Rice was separated, not stodgy. The Butter Chicken and Achari Chicken, you could identify it was a Curry, not spicy. The Rosewater was too sweet for me. The Chai was amazing.
Clive had been quite conservative in his selection:
Vegetable Samosa was excellent I liked the spiciness. Pakoras were also enjoyable. The Lamb Chops were good but could have done with a bit more oomph. The Lamb Bhuna had good sized pieces of tender lamb. The Butter Chicken, something I would not normally have, was enjoyable.
Clive drank his Rosewater – more interesting than water – was his observation.
The Bill
£91.75
The Aftermath
Would there be a second sitting? Evidently not. A la carte was in operation as we took our leave.
A Friday night, four stuffed peeps went home.