Monday lunchtime finds Hector and Marg at The Village “Curry House” (119 
West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA). En route, Marg declared that she was happy to have the Lahore Lunch (£8.95) which features Vegetable Pakora, Keema and Chapattis, great value indeed. Hector had a Desi Curry in mind.
Arriving at 13.15, it cost £5.00 to park outside for an hour. The Village used to have a car park, maybe it still does, I should ask about this. Hanane was front of house, this was the first time I had seen her since our formal introduction and Hanane’s photo subsequently appearing in Curry-Heute.
Are you famous yet? – I had to ask. Hanane did like the photo, mask and all.
Hanane guessed that there was no need to bring the main menu, the Hector announced today’s Curry: Lamb Achari (£14.95) to be served on-the-bone – Desi-style. Mushroom Rice (£3.95) would accompany.
Medium plus – was the agreed Spice Level. Usually, at The Village, I’ll settle for a jug of tap water, Marg managed to add a large bottle of Sparkling Water (£3.85) to the Order.
Mr. Baig, Mein Host, was busy in his office throughout our visit. Kasif, his son, was reviewing photos with the marketing chaps. There has been quite a bit of professional looking material appearing on a certain social medium of late. Otherwise, the two tables occupied by diners were soon free. It’s the middle of the Glasgow Fair Fortnight, a quiet time still, in the city.
Lahore Lunch
The Vegetable Pakora arrived, three large pieces, a Chilli Dip and a Soupçon of Salad
Well-fired, a no doubt double fried, Marg insisted I have one. I took a half, an opperchancity to secure a well illuminated photo. Discrete pieces of Potato and Onion were not visible, the Gram Flour was to the fore. Suitably Spiced, tasty, however, Hector’s plate was about to be topped up with something else.
Hanane presented two Poppadoms and some Spiced Onion – on the house.
Served at her discretion, this reinvigorated a conversation Marg and Hector have been having since our recent two visits to Annaya’s (Helensburgh). This is how Poppadoms should be served. As it happened, today I didn’t touch them, but did take most of the Spiced Onion which I found to have a Sweet taste and slightly antiseptic Flavour. The Red Chilli Sauce, some brands work, some do not.
An amuse bouche for Hector, a comforting Starter for Marg:
I was hungry and the three pieces of Vegetable Pakora were tasty with some dough binding the crispy veg. The small side salad had Peppers, Onion, and Lettuce. I enjoyed a Poppadom with my Salad using the Pakora Sauce.
The waiter brought the remaining food on a large tray. Two Chapattis, Marg only required one. Wholemeal, not suitable for the Hector, Marg was content.
Mince Curry
Not the full portion as ordering a la carte, but approximating to the actual quantity which Marg prefers to eat. There was a moment of concern when Marg thought she might have been served Chicken Mince, but the darkness surely confirmed Lamb.
Suitably Dry, the absolutely Minimal Masala shrouded the Keema, there was no sign of peripheral Oil. This was quality. Marg:
The Mince Curry was full of Coriander and small pieces of Chilli. A good kick and a rich flavour through the minced meat. The Chapatti was fresh and warm and although I was given two, I could only eat the one.
Across the table, there was a completely different dining experience. The Mushroom Rice was served directly on the plate, not The Village customary bowl to be upturned.
Fresh Mushrooms, Spiced Rice, this was of Biryani quality, tasty Rice, excellent, and a few grains more than I would manage, so plentiful.
Lamb Achari
The quantity was significantly more than Marg had been served. The Meat count reached double figures as I arranged the Lamb and some of the Thick Masala on top of the Rice. Spotting the Sucky Bone was another plus.
Small pieces of Pickle were strewn through the Masala. The distinctive Village Curry Taste was therefore further enhanced by the added Pickle. The Spice Level had been well pitched, enough, no discomfort. The Seasoning was spot on, a la Hector.
The food could have been hotter, as was realised when I encountered a blast of heat from the centre of the mass. This only highlighted the comparative coolness of the periphery.
Super-Tender Meat, melt in the mouth, but as I remarked to Marg, I always end up chewing, then chewing more and more, towards the end game. This must be down to me, not the Meat on the plate becoming tougher.
Biting into a piece of Pickle was like a volcanic eruption of Flavour, why I choose this Curry, it is full on. The Pickle, the base Village Curry, Sucky Bone, the Mushrooms and the Spiced Rice, a complex array of Flavours, a creation/combination I can highly recommend.
The Bill
£27.85
The Aftermath
Marg and Hanane had quite a little chat. Now we know a bit more about the lady behind the mask…