Today, Hector considered a visit to Paisley, just to savour the any lingering atmosphere from yesterday’s well earned celebrations. What appear to be the better Curry Houses do not open until late afternoon, by which time the Hector has other Monday activities. Instead, same logic, but close to Hampden Park. Shahi Mahal (452 Cathcart Rd., Govanhill, Glasgow G40 7B2) was therefore the ideal venue. Appropriately, Bus 31, or was that 3-1, took me across the river.
Monday is Quail Day (£7.50) at Shahi Mahal, which was definitely in keeping with Hector’s desire not to overdose on Lamb, especially with the knowledge that this coming Friday sees another Meat Fest.
Zahir, Mein Host, gave a warm greeting as I entered Shahi Mahal at 14.10. The exterior clue that he was on the premises was in place.
The usual display of ready fayre was piled high.
Bateera? – was in effect, my response to his salutation.
Bateera Curry, one portion – was the positive reply.
With a small Naan please.
I can never get more than halfway with the standard Naan (£1.25).
I took the booth nearest the counter, others were occupied. As always, there was a steady stream of Takeaway customers during my visit. I was about to begin answering a questionnaire from my Web Host, who caused me hours of frustration earlier this week, when the food arrived.
The lady brought everything on a tray, jug of water, and a colourful Salad too. The only cutlery was the spoon in the Curry, so fingers for the Salad then. No Raita.
The Salad always arrives, for which there is an unknown charge. I still don’t know the precise cost of anything at Shahi Mahal, there must be a surcharge on everything for sitting in. Still, one always leaves well fed, for a fair sum of money.
I ask for a small Naan, it never comes. Served round, whole, risen, puffy, with blisters forming, and importantly, made from a white flour, there was nothing here not to like. Apart from the inevitable wastage. Compare this with the poor offering at The Village last Monday.
With a Buttery sheen, this Naan was excellent. A Bread made for dipping.
Bateera
The Shorva was hot, I was already hoping it would retain its heat whilst I fiddled with the footery bones. It’s Quail, it’s how it is. Fun, finger food.
Clove and Cinnamon were the first Spices to register. The Seasoning was a delight. Soon I upgraded the Seasoning to a – Wow! With the Spice building, so much Flavour also, and I hadn’t even picked up the leg of the wee bird that was seemingly pointing in my direction – me first!
A pair of Quail, one would certainly not be enough, three tiresome. The exterior Meat was stained brown having sat in the Shorva. The interior Meat was its natural colour, well once cooked that is. Of course this was better than a Chicken Curry, why would such a thought even enter the reader’s mind?
Wishbones, I set aside the first one. Why do we do this? Meanwhile, the pile of little bones piled up in the discard bowl provided. Every bone is a Sucky Bone.
Zahir looked across:
It’s good?
Proper food.
He repeated my reply. I think he liked it.
Three chaps came in, one came over and asked a question I couldn’t make head or tail of. He pointed to the heater plugged into the wall beside me, but not switched on.
Are you cold? – I had to ask. A rhetorical question, however, who knows, maybe he goes around collecting heaters … he unplugged it and took it away.
I’m from a different planet.
That’s a reply I wasn’t expecting. Henge gigs aside, I have never knowingly been in the company of aliens.
The Southside Curry Cafes of Glasgow are rarely warm, it’s December, dress accordingly.
I had three napkins, by this time, all three were saturated with finger wipings. I should make it to the end. The second wishbone was carefully placed beside the other. Why is the Hector so whimsical today? If one embarks on eating Quail, one needs a sense of humour.
Zahir was standing at the end of my table, off for his afternoon break, or is that him going home? He bade me farewell.
The Curry bowl wiped clean, I had more of the Salad. The green, white and yellow bits were abandoned, along with about half of the Naan.
I took myself for a short walk. The fingers needed attention. I happened to look in the mirror, wtf?
With Marg still up north, there was nobody to tell me. The Hector was in a definite state of mellow yellow. The bar of soap was most welcome. Four times I washed my face. And to think that two of my favourite Glasgow Curry Cafes have no facilities whatsoever. Shahi Mahal is indeed a palace in comparison.
The Bill
£13.00 From where this number comes, who knows.
The Aftermath
And so back to the questionnaire. I have a question: is there a UK-based Web Host provider which is reliable and affordable?