Curry in Partick was today’s objective, however, Little Curry House (41 Byres Road, Glasgow G11 5RG) became the fallback. The ongoing project of exploring the menu at the impressive, and long overlooked Curry Pot across the junction, was the intended venue. Despite their advertised opening times, Simrat, Mein Host, was not ready for business at 13.45, Hector could not wait the requested fifteen minutes.
Marg and Hector passed Little Curry House a few weeks back and studied the menu outside the now extended premises. Gone is the reliance on the poky downstairs seating area and mezzanine, though these could still provide an overflow. Instead the acquisition of the adjacent unit has provided a more spacious and brighter dining area. Business must be good to justify the investment.
Today was Hector’s first visit to Little Curry House in five years. It was also Visit #5 which can take on a special significance in Curry-Heute. It is some ten years since the Wee Curry Shop, part of the Mother India chain, was rebranded as Little Curry House. During Lockdown, Ginger Garlic, a discrete operation, was launched from the same kitchen, offering delivery to all – G – postcodes. That made great business sense.
The waiter led me through the original doorway to the new dining area. A couple were sat at the window table, live decoration. I was offered a choice of any small table to the rear. Despite sitting as far as possible from my fellow diners, I heard every word of their conversation. The chap considered himself an expert of World affairs, why he had to wait for this meal to impart his knowledge to the suffering wife, well, who knows?
Better than weans, more entertaining.
The Express Lunch Menu (£11.95) was already on the table. With only one Lamb Curry here, and that being Lamb Karahi (£1.95 supplement), almost tempting. However – lamb cooked in a traditional pepper sauce – was never going to entice the Hector. Whose – tradition – is a – pepper sauce? Not one that is recognised in these pages. Exactly what type of – pepper?
I asked for the Main Menu. Much better, way more options. Having read this side of the menu only, a key piece of information was not taken on board.
Knowing how difficult it is to secure a worthy Fish Curry in Glasgow, I decided to take the chance. Machi Masala (£9.40) and Mushroom Rice (£4.00) became the Order.
*
A glass of chilled tap water was secured. Bier was never going to be part of this meal, but I did note the outrageous price (£4.25) for a half pint of draught Bier.
The waiter suggested a Poppadom (£1.20), no thanks. And with Spiced Onions, Mango Chutney and Mixed Pickles at £1.95 each, I was not being taken for a mug. Those who choose to do so, have my permission, but please, not in my company.
New diners chose to sit outside. To this commentator, dining alfresco in Glasgow feels a bit ex loco: Trastevere, yes, Byres Road, no. So it goes.
The waiter brought a heated plate, a side plate. I was to eat my Curry and Rice from this? Even when the food arrived, the penny didn’t drop. And given the price of the Rice portion, why would it?
£4.00 is a fairly standard charge these days for Mushroom Rice. Too often I complain about the outrageous volume of (inclusive) Rice served, especially in Europe. Today I have to quote the opening lyric of the first track on the eponymous album by Black Sabbath:
What is this that stands before me?
The Rice barely covered the side plate, it was also a case of – spot the Mushroom.
In terms of Flavour it wasn’t giving off much either.
Machi Masala
The contents of the small bowl looked familiar. The same colour and consistency in the Masala as has evolved at nearby Mother India’s Cafe. There, I prefer how it used to be.
I arranged the three chunks of Battered Fish over the minimal Mushroom Rice. Three pieces, was I in Aberdoom?
The waiter asked me for a comment, I hadn’t even started eating. He gave me a moment and then asked once more.
It’s a bit small.
It’s a tapas portion.
I didn’t ask for tapas.
He made an apology with reference to the Express Menu. I assumed he meant the Lunchtime Menu on which nothing I ordered was to be found. I studied my photos of the menu from which I had actually chosen: Evening Tapas Menu.
Not another one. How many more Tapas Restaurants does Glasgow need? This is not how Little Curry House sold Curry previously. This is not how the Hector wants his Curry. Thursday’s mammoth portion at Kebab Mahal (Edinburgh) now seemed a lifetime ago. I hadn’t thought, It certainly took a long time to twigg.
White Fish, possibly Haddock, spiced only on the exterior. Hector’s ongoing argument re Chicken Curry comes home to roost. It did taste – Fishy – a key feature in a Fish Curry that too often is not realised.
The lack of Seasoning in the Curry, as served at Little Curry House, has been an ongoing criticism in these pages. Today, the Seasoning was way more pronounced, consequently, the full Flavours of what sat before me were revealed. The Spice Level was moderately pitched, enough to take note of its presence, never gong to challenge.
The Flavours, I recognised. The same tang as is the feature of Machi Masala at Mother India’s Cafe was present. Added to this, an almost Euro Curry Flavour was emanating from the Masala, not welcome at all. The first time I had Machi Masala at this venue, the dreaded Capsicum was found in the mix. There was a definite sense of it today, confirmed when a solitary piece was set aside.
A mild Achari Fish finally came to mind, the tanginess dominating.
I was finished in no time at all, it seemed. Pleasant enough not the Fish Curry I seek in this city. To quote another lyric, this time by an Irish band:
I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.
OK, I’ll blow my own trumpet, the recipe for Machi Masala posted above in Hector’s Curry Recipes gives way more satisfying results than too many a restaurant.
The Bill
£13.40 … for not very much food.
The Aftermath
A mature chap in a turban cleared the table at the far end of the room. The owner I was told. I studied the chaps in the open kitchen as I departed, they bore no resemblance to the chaps who went out of their way to introduce themselves to me back in Visit #1. The waiter insisted Little Curry House has not changed hands.
Visit #5, Little Curry House will not be added to Hector’s Recommended Curry Houses or Glasgow’s Top Rated. I note that full portions are available in the Takeaway menu, so why not in the restaurant? Then, I may consider a return.
I still miss Mrs. Majhu’s.
Express Lunch Menu
Evening Tapas Menu
