Marg and Hector find themselves in Aachen, day #5 of this multi-nation trip, following Norwegian, Progressive / Art Rock band – Gazpacho. In the last two nights we have seen them perform at Boerderij (Zoetermeer, Nederland) and Spirit of 66 (Verviers, België). More on that to come, and for practical reasons, the full Desi Dhaba menu is posted at the very foot of this post.
Aachen was chosen as an overnight stop because of its proximity to België and that tomorrow is April 1st, the ideal day on which to commence utilising the month-long Deutschland Ticket.
Prior research had led to the discovery of Desi Dhaba (Promenadenstrasse 44, 52062 Aachen Deutschland), open daily at 15.00. The ideal time to eat in the world of Curry-Heute, though it was an hour later when we rolled up. The potential for a Desi Qorma being served at Desi Dhaba, was cause for excitement. The menu extracts online displayed a Chicken Qorma (€12.99 Mit Brot, €14.99 Mit Basmati Reis). Would there be a Lamb Qorma? The Hector had resolved that if Chicken is all that was available, this King of Curry would be had, regardless.
We located Desi Dhaba in the street behind C&A on the north-east corner of Aachen’s shopping area. Two chaps were there to greet, Abdul and Zain, though the latter took his leave. Chef Ejaz appeared at some point.
The well illustrated menu confirmed the availability of Lamm Qorma (€16.99 / €18.99), then, wait for it, the next page showed Kalb Korma (€14.99 / €16.99) – a rich curry made with tender cow meat. Not since my Kibbutz days have I knowingly eaten – cow. But why had the Qorma changed to Korma?
Abdul confirmed that the Qorma at Desi Dhaba was the true North Indian / Punjabi interpretation, not the Creamy-Coconut concoction that prevails. As for the rogue – K – he just smiled. Spicy, and with Rice, was agreed. I find Basmati remains the ideal accompaniment, though next time at Punajbi Zaiqa (Berlin) I may well try it with Brot. Two Curry Houses in Deutschland serving Desi Qorma, there’s hope. Not only that, Desi Dhaba’s Lamm Karahi (€16.99) and Kalb Karahi (€14.99) look to be the real deal also.
Marg opted for Butter Chicken (€14.99) with a Naan (€0.99). Medium Spice – was noted. A large bottle of Sparkling Water (€2.99) completed the Order.
Abdul chatted initially, before disappearing to assist Ejaz in the kitchen which was out of sight to us, but visible to any who had sat mid-room. We were the only diners this afternoon.
Abdul had been to Edinburgh and found the Curry to be – so-so. As Desi Dhaba is clearly a Punjabi Curry House, I explained that he would have found better, and more familiar Fayre, in Glasgow, especially south of the river. Our tour from Nederland via België to Deutschland was related. Abdul asked if I had been to Antwerpen.
Afghan Karahi – was my response. Right on the button, this is where he was leading me. This felt like a good time to produce the Calling Card.
With Frankfurt am Main, our next stopover, I asked Abdul if he had any recommendations. Lahore Kebab House – was suggested, only the second Frankfurt 
Curry House that Hector has visited, and that was thirteen years ago. Hopefully, they have improved, Hector was not impressed, a well known and reliable Curry Blog relates.
In time, we sat alone. Twenty six seats were counted, a modest establishment, simple décor, informal. A restaurant, not a Curry Cafe.
Today’s Special – Haleem – no thank you.
Abdul brought the food.
The Rice portion approached sensible, still more than I could ever manage, but waste would not be of the normal Euro proportions. Basmati Zeera Flavoured Rice – so the menu informs. Cumin Rice, always an extra thrill.
The Naan, whole but folded, was light on one side, brown on the other. Risen, light, fluffy, and a decent size, a worthy Naan. And check the price.
Kalb Qorma
The tell-tale aroma of Citrus was not forthcoming, and so I still did not know what was about to happen. Three large pieces of Beef sat in a Shorva-esque Masala.
One could tell the addition of Yoghurt, so there was still hope that Flavour-wise, this would be the Desi Qorma the Hector craves.
One of the pieces of Meat was on-the-bone, two big bones in fact. I have never had Beef on-the-bone, in a Curry. On cutting up the Meat, it was clearly soft, only sinews holding it together. This was going to be quite a new experience. As ever, I held back some of the Masala, one does not wish to be left with Rice and no Sauce.
Sampling the plain Rice first, the Cumin was apparent. Then the Big Moment!
The Seasoning hit first, already a – Wow! – moment. Then the Flavours from the Masala swamped the palate. Another – Wow! This Masala was quite simply – stunning.
The – Cow – was super-soft, with a powerful Meaty Flavour, not convinced it was giving back any more than this but the Texture was wonderful. Not only that, the Hector had avoided a Lamb overdose, another bonus.
My pleasure was communicated across the table. I already knew that Desi Dhaba could be added to the very short list of outstanding deutsche Curry Houses: Dessi Tadka, successor to Indian Mango (München) and the aforementioned Punjabi Zaiqa (Berlin).
Clove, more Clove than a Manchester Curry, stood out in the blend of Spices. Moderate to begin with, the Spice grew to a satisfying level. Whole Spice, firstly I chewed on a Black Peppercorn, then I pulled out one Green Cardamom, then another. Similarly, whole Cloves. I ended up with three of each on the edge of my plate. Whole Spice, the box ticked, efficacious Desi Curry.
The are no scores in Curry-Heute, needless to say if there were, this would be off the scale.
As I added the retained Masala, so I noted the separation of the Oil. A quick stir, mustn’t lose any Flavour. The hoped for Citrus was revealing itself, this was a full on Desi Qorma. Occasionally there was a blast of Flavour that took me back to the 1960s. This Curry had everything. I really couldn’t think of how this Curry could be improved upon. My mouth has rarely been in such a happy place.
It had to end, leftover Rice, Abdul was out to ask the customary question.
This is glorious – I informed him.
We try to keep it authentic, as in Pakistan.
I congratulate you and all involved here.
I showed that I was arranging the Rice, Bones and Spice to record the moment of extreme pleasure. Now I get to tell – The World! Desi Dhaba, Aachen!
Butter Chicken
A sprinkling of Coriander and a splodge of Cream differentiated this Curry from the above. The Masala, more orange, had an identical Texture to the Kalb Qorma. The Hector would have his Soupçon. Dipping some Naan, the Sweetness was to the fore. For those who like that sort of thing, this is the sort of thing they would like. Marg:
I decided to have Butter Chicken with Naan bread. A good plateful of chicken pieces swimming in a rich creamy and buttery sauce. Coriander leaves and small pieces of onion were found in the sauce. Overall, a good kick of spices, enough to make my lips tingle.
The bread was fluffy and I only needed half the round Naan with my dish. I used the spoon to enjoy the chicken with the sauce.
With the table cleared, Abdul presented two pieces of Gulab Jamun. Marg warned me that it was hot. Seriously, it was, another new dimension. Having sampled it, I let Marg finish the Gulab Jamun, Desserts are her thing, I prefer to let the Spice and Flavours linger long on the palate. The Cumin Seed which usually takes a while to dislodge itself did so before we left the restaurant.
This Must Be The Place – is the illuminated sign above the kitchen entrance. I heartily agree.
The Bill
€34.97 (£30.50)
The Aftermath
As I went up to pay, so the photo of the kitchen was captured. Behold, – The Big Pot!
How well had they managed this today.
There had to be staff photos. Ejan produced his phone-camera also.
I promised to return, hopefully in the autumn.
For the remainder of the day, the joy of this Curry persisted, the afterglow.
I hope I have communicated just how special my Curry was. Now to attempt to communicate the musical pleasures which brought Marg and Hector here in the first place.
Gazpacho + HamaSaari (Boerderij, Zoutermeer)
Poppodium Boerderij is probably the best known venue for Progressive Rock bands who attract audiences of a certain size. Way too big for pubs, not big enough for theatre sized venues. Why Google Maps insist it is a ten minute walk from the Voorweg tram stop to the venue, I know not. They are adjacent. The doors opened at 19.30 as confirmed on an email from the venue a few days back. HamaSaari, a French band, on at 20.00, Gazpacho (Norge) at 21.00 for a two hour set. Last tram back to our accommodation, just before 01.00. There be would time to meet up with whoever wanted to talk to us afterwards.
Once indoors, it was straight to the merchandise. Last year on Cruise To The Edge, all the extra huge t-shirts had gone. One chap was having problems getting his card to work, I addressed the other. Alas, this was the drummer from HamaSaari, he could not serve me. Having parked her jacket in the cloakroom, Marg joined me upstairs at the merchandise. No XXXL t-shirts, XXL would have to do. Still the card reader was not working, cash.
Standing all night could be a too demanding task. It was with relief that we found a place in the three tiers on the balcony. HamaSaari took to the stage punctually.
A four piece band, a forty minute set, five songs from two albums. The first two songs: Frames and Lost in Nights were from the latest album Pictures. The rest of the set from their previous album – Ineffable – White Pinacles, Crumbs, Bleak and Prognosis.
After tonight in Zoetermmer, tomorrow in Verviers and Thursday in Rüsselsheim am Main, we should be more familiar with their sound. Tonight, a bit aggressive at times, especially the grunting on the final song – Prognosis. Maybe artists feel they have to do a bit of this these days. Years ago, I bought Opeth albums, couldn’t listen to them.
Gazpacho
The good people at Setlist.fm make it possible to establish what a band is likely to play by posting the set-lists for all their previous gigs. On the Magic 8-Ball Tour, one would expect most, possibly all of this album to be performed. Tonight, I was surprised that three standout tracks from this album were omitted: Ceres, Immerwahr, The Unrisen. Worried about overload, possibly. I did see Weather Report perform their eponymous album as a first set and it wasn’t released until weeks later. Then imagine seeing all of Tales from Topographic Oceans (Yes) on the day of its release. We at the Glasgow Apollo, were treated to this.
Last year on Cruise To The Edge, two young chaps beside us were overjoyed to hear the three parts of Tick Tock (2009), tonight a repeat of this. Nothing from Fireworker (2020), the previous album. Sapien – has been a staple part of Gazpacho’s set-list for some time, I went out of my way to familiarise myself with this before tonight.
Gazpacho took to the stage bang on the scheduled 21.00. Our distance from the balcony felt so similar to the upper deck from which we first watched them last year on CTTE.
We Are Strangers (Magic 8-Ball, 2024), the second track on the album, and one which Marg declared an early favourite, kicked things off. Then two songs completely unknown to us: Soyuz One (Soyuz, 2018) and Golem (March of Ghosts, 2012). There is the realisation that I still have more Gazpacho albums to purchase, learn, enjoy. Six CDs suddenly feels not enough. The band were now into their groove. Jan-Henrik Ohme with his own distinctive vocals both in terms of tone and how he phrases the words. Jon-Arne Vilbo, lead guitar, seems to show great restraint. Minimalist playing, head mostly down, but holding back from a Shoegaze thrash, holding it all together. On the opposite side of the stage, Mikael Kromer, second guitar, and so much more. Electric mandolin, and violin, I have come to observe that every type he picks up either of these, something special is about to happen. Somewhat amusingly, Mikael is happy to stand, instrument ready, for minutes waiting for his cue. This means focus on Jon-Arne, or sometimes a sequence of lead bass guitar by Kristian Torp.
For the remainder of the main set, every song was well known. Gingerbread Men and 8-Ball, both from the latest album. The title track could well be the weakest song on the album, too poppy?
The Walk, Part 1, The Walk, Part 2, my own most favourite, all-time Gazpacho composition, defines their – sound – and another opperchancity for Mikael to star on electric violin. The Walk was inspired by the writings of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, he of Le Petit Prince fame. The Middle Eastern scales overlain with a Mellotron sound from Thomas Andersen’s keyboard, does it for Hector every time.
Back to the new album, and Starling, the opening track. In the middle of this, a keyboard break by Thomas. There is a motif in there which is clearly – borrowed – but from where? Jon Lord’s organ introduction to Child In Time, comes to mind, I could be wrong. Hopefully, I would find out, need to ask the man himself.
Upside Down (Night, 2007) was played in both forty minute sets on Cruise To The Edge, the first song we therefore came – to recognise. This song has been played in Hector’s House almost daily for the last year.
Alexa, play Gazpacho – is Marg’s last utterance of a day. Alexa knows, Upside Down is played. It is fair to say we are familair with every nuance of this composition. The false ending, the violin outro, tonight, the audience stood silent, waiting, no premature applause, but then Jan-Henrik does redirect the focus to guide the audience.
Hector does not pay attention to lyrics, however, the back-projection this evening for Sky King, again new album, taught the audience about Richard Russel, who in 2018, stole a ‘plane at Sea-Tac airport, one I know very well and will hopefully re-visit soon. A broken guy – was how Russel described himself over the intercom, before the inevitable outcome.
And so the climax to this evening, all three parts of Tick Tock, a vertiatble – Acid Rock- epic. A first mention of drummer, Robert Johansen. Tick Tock features a recurring clock beat backing track, so Robert has to be much more imaginative to provide alternatives on top of this. Upside Down was the simplest rhythm he played this evening, the counts on the remainder baffled at times. Whilst the complexity impresses, it’s the space that makes Gazpacho what they are. Bands, e.g. The Aristocrats seen on CTTE, may be super-technically proficient, their compositions suffer by not coming up for air. Gazpacho use – space – to the fullest, then the melodies strike home, impressions, soundscapes, this was why we were here.
Surprisingly, as Jan-Henrik declared, there would be an encore. Tonight, three more songs. Defense Mechanism (Missa Atropos, 2010) an album I own but admittedly do not know, followed by another favourite, Winter is Never (Tick Tock). Here, Thomas has a really strong keyboard riff, something that maybe does not happen often enough.
Bravo (Bravo, 2003), being performed for only the second time in yonks concluded the set. Mikael’s – Scottish/Irish – jig – on violin encouraging the audience to clap along. Clap along? We do not do this at a Gazpacho show. We watch, listen intently, appreciate, no calling out, no whistling, total respect. I praise the audience, reticent, no disruptive chatting.
And so to the bar, Dutch Bier, and a chat over a Bier with Nanda, a former employee at Boerderij and a big Marillion fan. Gazpacho toured with Marillion in their early years. From our corner seat at the bar, we could survey all. Jan-Henrik walked through and was not seen again. The chap from HamaSaari I had seen earlier was now established as their drummer, Élie Chéron, a brief chat, and cue a photo.
*
Jon-Arne Vilbo was suddenly beside us, after a tentative hello, a lengthy conversation. He has Glasgow in his veins. A Pharmacist, studied at Strathclyde University, as of course, did Hector. He informed that Élie is a Physicist. These guys need a full time job.
I mentioned Terje Rypdal, my first expereince of a Norwegian guitarist – live – supporitng CAN at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (London) way back in 1975. I did not get the expected – harumph.
He hadn’t been born yet…
Jon-Arne told of us of how he and Thomas Andersen first met and recorded an album that was duly shelved. When Jan-Henrik was brought into the fold, so Gazpacho was born. Jon-Arne let it be known that the next Gazpacho album is already written, so hopefully not the four year wait for its release as between Fireworker and Magic 8-Ball.
When Mikael joined our modest throng, I showed him the photos I had taken of his instruments on the stage.
When you pick these up, I know something special is about to happen.
To conclude our groupie behavior, the final adulation was for Robert. Again, I tried to describe how his contribution on drums is so important, as if he needed me to tell him.
The last tram was looming. Google had changed the information provided earlier. Voorweg has high and low platforms. We had the choice, do the loop or take the two stop route back to the hotel. We chose correctly.
Gazpacho + HamaSaari (Spirit of 66, Verviers)
Verviers, south-east België, just the five trains from Zoetermeer, and thanks to the new Belgian – train+ – a fraction of what one would pay in the UK.
Spirit of 66 is a smaller venue than the Boerderij. A smaller stage, no screen for projections, the light show was therefore limited. Jon-Arne told us last night that from the stage they can see all that happens at the bar. He didn’t tell us there was also a balcony, so once more we didn’t have to stand all night.
Two tiers of cinema-style seats and a step with high bar chairs, we took middle seats in the second row. The couple in front of us were also at Boerderij. When HamaSaari took the stage around 20.25, so he leant forward, totally blocking my view. Tonight the Hector would stand through two sets. Halfway through Gazpacho, a chap asked me in English, to sit down, he couldn’t see the stage. I explained why this was not about to happen.
Tonight, HamaSaari played the same set. I recognised none of it. The sound tonight did not feel as aggressive as at Boerderij, maybe the band were just more relaxed.
After the show, I secured a t-shirt, and their latest cd – Pictures. As others were having their purchases signed, well why not?
Has The Physicist signed the album yet? – I asked Axel Vaumoron, the guitarist.
How did you know he is a Physicist?
I did not reveal my source.
HamaSaari
Oplus_0
Gazpacho
Gazpacho correspondingly also kicked off some twenty minutes late. The same set as last night, minus – Bravo. Soyuz and Golem felt more familiar, still a bit to go here.
Last night, I thought the audience paid due respect, at Spirit of 66 one could hear a pin drop as Jan-Henrik introduced the next song. No applause, Marg thought someone should cheer, thus she accommodated the band.
No chat whatsoever, a rarity in these times.
From our perspective, we felt even closer than last night. Having found a better setting on my trusty Oppo, clearer photos. Gazpacho, on consecutive days, just like Cruise To The Edge, but full sets. The trip was certainly worth it.
Time for Bier, none before the show, it does the legs in. Jon-Arne spoke to us once more, our new pal.
I asked him to invite Thomas to join us, a burning question had to be answered. Thomas, who was dismantling his gear on stage, duly jumped down.
On raising the familiar motif spotted in – Starling – the response was honest.
I only realised it after I recorded it.
It wasn’t Child In Time, but another classic rock song from fifty ears ago. I’m not telling.
Whilst I was at the merchandise, Marg collared Mikael Torp, harder to recognise with different headgear. I commended him on his bass fills, lead bass at times.
Finally, – the man – himself. A short queue to speak, Cruise To The Edge had to be mentioned, as tonight we were sporting Gazpacho t-shirts. Jan-Henrik’s love of Scotland was declared, the Calling Card felt appropriate, just in case he and Mrs. Ohme find themselves in our neck of the woods. Due homage paid, back to the spot where we had left our drinks.
Jan-Henrik then came over to talk to us. Curry is his thing. The next minutes were magical, nobody could have predicted this. We have another new friend, and hopefully another Curryspondent.
remember Desi Dhaba?
2026 Menu
