With a grand Greek meal planned for later today at one of our favourite venues in Plaka, Curry #2 of this trip had to be comparatively modest.
I have come to know that Kofta Anda (€7.00) is available on Fridays at Pak Tikka Shop – Grill House (Sapfous 5, Athina105 53, Hellas), the nearest Curry House to Psiri, where it all happens.
After a leisurely morning, though Marg might suggest that her step count and coffee intake may prove otherwise, we left our apartment, a matter of metres from Tapfield, and headed north of Iroon Square. There was no rush, no rendezvous with Steve, who was non-committal about Curry-Heute, which usually means he’ll sneak one in somewhere. 13.50 is good to arrive at Pak Tikka before the end of Friday prayers.
Entering the Curry Cafe, who should be sitting, middle table, just inside the door?
Steve was well through a Karahi Gosht (€7.00) with accompanying Bread, Salad, Raita. He admitted that it was good to have a Curry without the photographic ritual. Suddenly, his Karahi Gosht improved markedly.
On asking for Kofta Anda, our waiter did a slight double take. Only those who do not know the wonder of this creation would ask what it is.
Just the one Bread please.
Marg resorted to her non-Curry fallback, a Vegetable Samosa, accompanied by Chai – Milk Tea (€1.00).
Bottles of hardly chilled water were presented. I would later add a properly chilled CAN of Fanta (€1.00) to wash things down. 26ºC in late September, nought wrong with that, but it does demand rehydration.
The place quickly filled, we sat in awe as chaps at the adjacent table tucked into portions, one each, of Kabuli Pulao (€6.00). How much Rice can a man eat? They were finished long before us, and were soon replaced, by other like-minded diners.
The waiter brought two Breads with the Curry.
One Bread – I reminded him.
Are you on a diet? – was the response.
We had a comedian.
A plate with half Salad, half Raita duly accompanied. One each.
One Bread was taken back. Steve may have managed one and a half of the consistently wonderful Roti/Naan/Pitta served in these parts. Whole, white, risen, puffy, after last week at the Gurdwara, maybe time to experiment with dough making at home once more.
Kofta Anda
Yes, it’s only two Meatballs and a hard-boiled Egg, but when encountered, it has to be considered.
Look at that Masala, I wish I had the courage to attempt making it so thin and oily.
Steve was taken aback when the bib was produced. We all know what would happen otherwise to a white t-shirt.
The Meatballs were cut into four. Later, even these smaller pieces seemed large. There was something resembling a plateful, the ratio of Kofta to Masala was balanced.
The first dip of the light, fluffy Bread into the Masala was a – wow! – moment. The Seasoning was perfection, the Spice Level enough for a – cough. The Flavours? From what? This was an absolute delight.
Hands appeared from everywhere, – Cinnamon – was pronounced, then agreed upon by my fellow diners. They can write their own Blog. I’ll add – Herbs, my Blog.
The Kofta had a deep, reddish hue, definitely Lamb. Herbs had been mixed through, in addition to their chosen Spices. These Meatballs were giving back so much, and when mixed with the Masala, a definite case of – QED.
The Egg, and yes we all know – one egg is un oeuf, offers something else. The different Texture, and well Seasoned hard-boiled Egg.
Marg was wondering how much Bread she could snaffle to mop up her Raita, the Hector was holding on to his. In full flow, one imagines that all will be managed. Time for the next phase.
Adding the Interesting parts of the Salad provided another dimension. Further variations in Texture, and the inevitable question: why do Tomatoes not taste this good back home?
Vegetable Samosa
I’ll just have a Samosa – an announcement made so often in this scenario. Somehow, Marg always manages to make a meal. She did have her own Salad/Raita, plus purloined Bread to hand.
Marg – I ordered the one Vegetable Samosa with the Salad. The Samosa was cold with crispy pastry and potato giving the flavours. I managed to add the Salad with Raita to give the dish more liquid.
The portion was sufficient for me, and I had a hot Chai to wash it down.
Now we know, if you desire a hot Samosa, ask. FYI – they do not appear on the menu.
The Bill
€11.00 (£9.43) for the two of us.
The Aftermath
For those aware of the reported gas explosion this morning in nearby Plaka, Marg and Hector did walk past the end of that street yesterday afternoon. Having been tear-gassed in Athena, we have served our time.
So, where next?