To say the Hector cannot get to Curry Pot (139 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow G11 6PR) often enough may well be a clichéd understatement. Noon is the given opening time on Google, a couple of weeks ago, Simrat, Mein Host, wasn’t for serving me at 13.45, today another attempt.
Simrat was out front on his laptop as I entered. I was asked to give him another fifteen minutes, fair dos. However, I wasn’t going anywhere and so took my now usual spot. The advertised noon opening time was duly challenged, Simrat said he would get around to adjusting this. Hopefully to 14.00, not later. As we chatted so Simrat came to recognise who he was dealing with – Hector! – was called by name without any prompting.
An ice-cold Cola (£1.95) was enjoyed whilst I waited. The chat with Simrat continued intermittently. He asked what other food I enjoyed.
Italian and Greek, but anyone can cook Italian.
Indian is your favourite.
No, Punjabi.
He got the gist.
At 14.00 the sit-in menu was brought. Today it was the turn to have Lamb Bhoona (£9.95), the fourth of the five Lamb Dishes to be covered in Curry-Heute. On Visit #1 I had Lamb Methi Bhoona, that was way back in 2013, today’s Curry therefore continued the plan to have a different Dish on each visit. Mushroom Rice (£3.70) would accompany. I took the opperchancity to praise the Mushroom Rice served at Curry Pot:
The best I have found in Glasgow, it’s Biryani quality.
That went down well. Time to discuss the elephant on the menu. I pointed to the description for the Lamb Karahi (£9.50) which highlights both Onion and Peppers, and simultaneously showed a photo of a classic Punjabi Karahi.
Is yours anything like this?
The answer was along the lines of – sort of.
Simrat then admitted that he doesn’t like Peppers in Curry either – too powerful, well maybe in some things.
One day he may offer to make a Karahi Gosht in the true style, then I’ll go to work on a Desi Qorma.
Chef Suriya entered whilst I waited. He should be used to seeing me here by now.
Here’s your favourite Mushroom Rice – declared Simrat as he brought the food.
The large pieces of white, quartered Mushrooms stood out. These Mushrooms have a firmer texture than I find in supermarkets. Spread across the plate, a perfectly manageable portion.
Guess, what, today I did not get the full Biryani experience. Still, enjoyable.
Lamb Bhoona
Ginger Strips and a modest sprinkling of Coriander topped the blended Masala. The Meat count reached six as I decanted. The sit-in portions I would describe as Tapas-plus. Takeaway portions are larger, and priced accordingly.
Four of the piece of Lamb would be halved, so along with the Mushrooms, plenty of solids with the Masala.
Having sampled the Rice first, the intensity of Flavour in the Masala took me by surprise, an immediate – Wow! – moment. The Seasoning was right up there, this was a reyt proper Hector Curry.
Pieces of Tomato had been cooked in towards the end of preparation, Diversity.
A whole Green Cardamom was encountered, once again after I had bitten into it. Better than biting into the black ones. Duly set aside. Today I spotted what I took to be Cumin Seeds, usually these dislodge themselves from the gnashers an hour after eating. A piece of Curry/Bay-leaf was also set aside. Then I found whole the first of the Black Peppercorns. Whole Spices, it makes such a difference, proper Desi Curry.
On biting into the first piece of Lamb, the explosion of Spice onto the palate further confirmed the Desi efficacy of this Curry. Tender-soft Meat, minimal chewing was required, even at the end.
Everything on my plate was – Wonderful – as I relayed to Chef Suriya when he came out to ask the customary question.
The Whole Spices make such a difference – I remarked, just in case he was unaware.
Only Lamb served on-the-bone could have improved this Curry. Maybe one day.
When I first returned to Curry Pot in June after a gap of too many years, I sensed there was something special happening here. Today is an other milestone towards establishing Curry Pot as one of Glasgow’s Top Rated.
The Rickmeister and Dr. Stan were here midweek for their second visit. Dr. Stan secured a Lamb Saag. One for the future, and from the Takeaway Menu, I assume.
Curry Pot is a Takeaway with token seating. There could be Takeaways across Glasgow serving Curry of this quality, but without at least one table a la Deira Lahore on the Southside, how is the Hector ever meant to find out?
The plate was duly cleared, sensible portions, good value. Suriya dealt with the payment whilst Simrat busily chopped away in the kitchen.
The Bill
£15.60
The Aftermath
I was all set to hopefully engage Simrat once again when two chaps entered, one went straight into the kitchen. That put paid to that idea.
Next time, and I hope it’s soon. Curry Pot is surely not just for night time.
