A friend, who has recently become a regular – passer by – at Madhras Dosa (76B, Old Dumbarton Rd, Glasgow, G3 8RE) and has yet to take the plunge, assured me that they now have Curry – on-the-bone. As this has not been a feature of their Curry previously, the Hector was – on-the-case.
Having partially let Stewart down midweek, there was a resolve to restore 15.00 as the optimum time to eat. By then, the appetite should have developed towards the – bring it on. It was therefore 14.40 when Hector entered Madhras Dosa for the first time in twenty-three months. In the interim, nearby Chimes of India, and more recently, Curry Pot have been the focus of my West End Curry adventures. Opening times at Madhras Dosa have rarely suited Hector’s preferred eating pattern. Currently, these appear to be a split shift, open daily from noon until 15.00, and then from 17.00. There was no sign of the place closing when I departed at 15.10.
This has become a week of highlighting new muriels (sic). Not so – mellow yellow – may describe the new and vibrant décor.
Informative too, I didn’t know Malabar Parotta (£2.50) originated from west of the Indian Subcontinent. So why are they only available in South Indian / Sri Lankan outlets?
The seating area in Madhras Dosa remains basic. As a lone diner, I took one of the small garden furniture-like tables along the left wall, leaving the more comfortable padded seats for couples/groups. A group had just departed, their mess still visible, and what a time it took to be cleaned up. Only then could I secure a menu, and I had to fetch it myself. The overflow to next door is clearly no longer an option since the split with those who are now Banana Leaf in the city centre.
The Dry Lamb Chukka/Sukka has long gone from the menu at Madhras Dosa, so all Curry served here is going to be – Soupy. On studying the business end of the menu, three things stood out: the Apostrophe Police are due a visit, only the Chicken Curry (£6.99) is marked as – bone curry, and prices have not increased in the last two years. Of course, the latter can be managed by portion size.
So no Lamb Curry on-the-bone for Hector. Lamb Chettinad (£7.99/£9.98) has been my go to Curry at Madhras Dosa on my more recent, sporadic visits. Over the years, the entire Curry menu has been explored, bring back the Chukka.
Having enjoyed the £4.00 a pair, Malabar Parotta last week at Kothu Rotti, I did not feel like dipping today. Bread with Shorva, Rice with Soupy Curry. Jeera Rice (Fried Rice) (£3.99) was today’s choice.
Having cleared the aforementioned mess, the waitress departed. It was one of the two young Indian Chefs who would take my Order. No sign of Satheesh, Mein Host.
Lamb not ready, it’s just arrived.
What? I’m not having Chicken Curry.
I’ll go and check…
Fish Curry (£7.99) – it would be, accompanied by tap water.
A flashy bottle, a paper cup, not wonderful.
With my back to the door, I became aware of a near constant draft, yet the door was always closed. At this time of year, one always makes sure of an extra layer when visiting a Glasgow Curry Cafe.
The chap brought the food.
Fried Rice – was clearly written in the menu, how was this ever – fried? What was presented: a portion of over-cooked Basmati, well swollen. Stodgy Rice is not what accompanies Curry. This was poor, to the point of being unacceptable.
Whilst eating, the Cumin Seeds were incidental. Boiled Rice (£2.99) could have been the better option.
Fish Curry
There used to be two options, the Fish Molee/Moilee has gone. I’ll take today’s as what was – South Indian Fish Curry. This was immediately borne out by the powerful Smoky aroma. Thin, Soupy, viscous certainly did not apply here.
Six, I can only describe as – miserly, pieces of Fish were arranged on the Rice. Not a huge volume of Fish, and this was me going – standard. The Tapas must be very much just that, beware.
What I took to be Mustard Seeds permeated the Masala, whole Curry Leaves were aplenty. Still, I refuse to attempt to attempt to digest this foliole. Pieces of Green Chilli, and maybe Red, were there to up the – kick – if required.
A well Seasoned Masala, with a Spice Level that certainly registered its own – kick, no problems here. The Masala oozed the Flavours of South Indian Curry: Peppery, Smoked Coconut.
Having consumed two pieces of the Fish, possibly Tilapia, I realised that I would soon have no solids left on the plate, other than Chillies. Again, the Stodgy Rice was not helping here at all.
Whilst the Fish did give off some sense of – fishiness – the Texture was not what the Hector seeks. Way too soft, close to pulp. I could have eaten this Curry with a straw.
The food cooled quickly on the cold dinner plate. Despite the fact that I was enjoying the Flavours from the Masala, things were not going well, and nobody came to ask, else they would have been told much of this critique. The Stodgy Rice, cold food, and not very much of it, over to soon. A cue once more for the great Woody Allen line:
The food here is terrible.
Yes, and the portions are so small…
Madhras Dosa can do better. Where was Satheesh?
As I paid I asked the chap. I had just missed him, and he would return later this evening. A pity.
The Bill
£13.98 altogether: three nines are…
The Aftermath
Yes, the – stored Cumin Seed – did eventually dislodge itself, NEIPA and Liquorice, a strange combination.
The new Vegetarian Curry House – Saravanaa Bhavan – has finally opened on Sauchiehall Street. We know how long Curry Houses with this self-imposed restriction survive in Glasgow. I’ll get there sometime, maybe before it disappears.
Later this evening, as Marg drove Dr. Stan towards his domicile, he pointed out Tharas Takeaway, another South Indian / Sri Lankan outlet, on Woodlands Road. This recently established Takeaway has been revamped and now has modest seating. Reportedly, open daily at noon, this shall be investigated soonest.
With Kothu Rotti, and their imminent expansion on Queen Margaret Drive, the West End is coming back, albeit, mostly towards the western edge of the city centre. Does the East End not eat Curry? Who goes there?