The stars aligned, well five diaries. Hector, Dr. Stan, and Chapatti John were here to relive our Akbar’s (573-581 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G3 7PQ) experience from March this year. Marg and Howard would go their own way.
A table booked for17.00, not that Akbar’s is ever busy at opening time, however, on a Friday, one cannot take the chance. Hector was 3.5 minutes late, a fact that Chapatti John celebrated throughout the remainder of the evening.
The corner window table, a bit of a squeeze, but at least there was nobody behind the three who sat facing into the empty room.
Drinks had already been sorted by the punctual chaps. Outrageously priced pints of Fresh Orange & Lemonade (£6.50) for Howard and Dr. Stan, Tap Water for all.
Marg would sneak in a Mango Lassi (£2.45), this meant we would not all have to wait for her at the end of the meal whilst she ordered Coffee/Chai, or whatever.
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Meat Chops (£7.95) For Howard and Hector. It has to be. One cannot visit Akbar’s and not have Lamb Chops unless one is Dr. Stan or Chapatti John. The latter must have Liver Tikka (£7.00), whilst Dr. Stan accused the Hector of – wittering, when the fact that his Seekh Kebab (£6.95) is double what one pays across the river, had to be pointed out, again.
Karahi Gosht & Spinach (£15.95), Dr. Stan and Chapatti John converted Hector to this creation last year. This meant abandoning the tried and tested Roshan Lal (£14.50), however, Howard was up for this having chosen strangely last time.
Without Capsicum – would be relayed to the waiter, good boy Howard.
No Peppers – was clarified by Chapatti John, just in case the young waiter was not on the ball.
Howard discovered, somewhere in the depths of the thirty-three Curry-Heute reviews of Akbar’s, that the Capsicum could be served – raw.
The reality, we all like Capsicum, but never in Curry. For some, when it also has the Big Onions, and is not from the Indian Subcontinent. Such a – Curry – shall hopefully never appear in these pages.
In terms of scraping the barrel, or hoisting the safety net, Marg shocked all by announcing Butter Chicken (£14.50). This was a consequence of having been served a particularly Oily Curry at Zaiqa Curry House earlier in the week.
No more mixed metaphors, Hector.
Desi style – for all except the Chicken Curry.
To accompany, a Family Naan (£7.00) between three, three Chappatis (£1.00) (sic) for two. John, restricting his Chapatti intake to two, knows how substantial they are. These are not Hector’s favoured, Traditional Chapattis, as served in Bradford. However, the price is commensurate with the Bradford Curry Houses who actually charge for them. Again, I related that Akbar’s could not get away with charging inflated Glasgow prices for Chapattis when they are £1.00, at most, in Bradford.
Akbar’s – Special Sauce – was brought to the table, along with the Dips. A Creamy Raita and the pulped Capsicum-based Pakora Sauce.
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Meat Chops
We had asked for one portion to be – well done. Only one of Hector’s four ticked that box. Hector’s four Chops quickly became three. Howard, afraid of filling himself too early, also offered Marg one. Today, for Marg, one Chop was enough.
Succulent, tasty, as good as they come. Not that Hector often has a Starter, but here, one must.
The Garnish has become a bit skimpy, not that it mattered in this moment of carnivorous indulgence.
Seekh Kebab
Across the table, the Seekh Kebab appeared to be larger than the norm.
Is it possible these might have justified the price?
Liver Tikka
For those who can eat this Meat, clearly a winner. Howard thought the portion to be smaller than before, but John, who was having it, made no such comment.
After an appropriate wait, and gone are the days at Akbar’s when they would declare a specific time, the mains were assembled.
The Family Naan always impresses. That such a behemoth can retain its lightness, puffiness, is down to the Bread Chef. An actual Tandoori Naan.
Butter Chicken
This Akbar’s Curry makes its inaugural appearance in Curry-Heute and so adds to the array of Dishes covered in the dedicated page. With large Chicken pieces, numbering well into double figures, a decent portion. As for the Soupy, Creamy Masala, a Curry for those who like that sort of thing. No Soupçon required for Hector. Marg’s choice –
The Lamb Chop was succulent and very tasty. I managed to eat all the meat off the bone with the side salad.
I ordered a very old favourite, Butter Chicken. It was very creamy with a hint of tomato and cheese in the sauce. There was a good helping of chicken pieces and I ate the Chapatti with the abundance of sauce and meat. My palate has changed, and I did miss the usual distinct flavour of lamb.
Cheese? – that was not expected. Appreciating the limits of any Chicken Curry, commendable.
Karahi Gosht & Spinach
More Masala, less Spinach, a different Chef becomes the immediate thought. With the three portions smaller than seen elsewhere on the table, one wondered if a bit of stretching had been going on in the kitchen. The advantage of having photographed every Curry in sight for sixteen years is the ability to compare/contrast. The portion size matched previous encounters, though the first four words in this paragraph certainly maintain.
The Taste of Bradford Curry was instantly forthcoming. That surprised, usually it would be the Spinach, so further evidence of there being less of a Herb content.
Squeezing the Lemon took the Hector to a happy place, bring on the Citrus.
The Seasoning was to the fore, despite encountering sliced Green Chillies, the Spice Level was never testing, sufficient.
As much as I enjoyed today’s, I know I have had better here. And after a Starter and as much Naan as required, I did not reach the stage of feeling stuffed.
Maybe four Lamb Chops is the difference.
The food could have been hotter.
Ther are two other points of view.
Chapatti John – The Curry is consistently very flavoursome. Liver Tikka was fantastic and the best value Chapattis.
Dr. Stan – The Seekh Kebab to start was juicy and tasty with yoghurt and chilli sauce to complement it. Always good value. Followed by Karahi Lamb and Spinach, with well spiced tender meat, there didn’t seem to be as much spinach as usual, so not quite so rich.
Always good value – the Hector has been told – not to change a word.
Roshan Lal – without Capsicum
Clearly, this portion was huge in comparison to the Karahi Gosht & Spinach. With Minimal Masala, totally in the Bradford style. Knowing his limits, Howard was offering Soupçon around the table, Hector was not missing out.
It is two years and three days since the Hector last savoured this creation. The Citrus blast was immediate, the distinctive blend of Spice to create the Roshan Lal was also to the fore. Howard had won the proverbial watch, this was outrageously good.
When are we coming back, anyone?
Howard can always be relied upon for a word or ten:
I’ve been to Akbar’s before, but not as frequently as other Glasgow establishments. Not sure why this is, as the food is uniformly excellent. In such cases it’s always important to do your homework. Thankfully, there’s a (well known and…) reliable website I can consult.
As such when I arrived, I knew exactly what I wanted: specifically Lamb Chops as a starter and Roshan Lal as a main course, but without the capsicums.
From past experience I knew I wouldn’t finish it. Not a problem as doggy bags are now a regular occurrence.
You wouldn’t think Lamb Chops could vary, but the ones here were special. Small, but with lots of meat and great flavour.
The Roshan Lal was a huge portion, the first taste confirmed the Bradford influence, and complemented by the shared Family Naan, was a superb meal. And as anticipated, I have some left over for later.
The only slight jarring element was the price of a pint of orange and lemonade. But this was forgiven because of the size of the portions and the inherent quality of the food.
I will be back more often.
If Akbar’s opened at lunchtimes, there would be even more visits.
Hector has been commenting on the price of all Drinks at Akbar’s for many a year. This is where they make their profits. Tap Water is the solution, drink elsewhere.
Howard’s Log – supplementary
I had expected the Roshan Lal to be perhaps too spicy for me. In the event, it wasn’t.
I need to up my game to compete with Marg who seems to be writing more and in greater depth.
To which the Hector replies – Marg is ever reliable, and for her, Curry is always free.
Doggy Bag arranged, all that remained was the tip of the Naan. Ironically, the best bit, but such is the nature of the stand, it cannot be removed, or can it?
The Bill
£132.80 Nobody owned up to the Lemonade.
The Aftermath
Imran, Mein Host, had not been seen tonight. As he always questions the gaps between visits, I asked the head waiter to pass on the record of our visit.
Imran was duly summoned. All was well.
I must get back here soon.
Big Big Train
Last night at Slay, Marg and Hector saw Big Big Train for the third time. Not by any means a favourite band, but one that intrigues. Formed in 1990, only Gregory Spawton (bass) remains. Despite being renowned for their very English interpretation of Progressive Rock, the band has recruited an array of members from many nations.
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Nick D’Virgilio, USA, (drums, vocals, everything), first seen by Hector with Spock’s Beard in their first UK show in Rotherham, way back. He was a prominent presence on last year’s Cruise To The Edge where he was reunited with Neal Morse, also a founding member of Spock’s Beard.
Rikard Sjöblom, Sverige, was also seen on CTTE as guitarist with Beardfish and Big Big Train.
Alberto Bravin, Italia, (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards) was first seen in 2018 when Hector finally caught up with Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) in Brescia. It was the presence of these two which took Marg and Hector to Edinburgh in 2023 to see Big Big Train. The Queen’s Hall, a seated venue, unlike Slay.
Two sets, the older material first, some of which I should have recognised, but didn’t. The dearly missed David Longdon’s vocals may have been at the root of this. Seven songs, four of which appear on the two double CDs I have. Big Big Train do big packaging.
The Hector was struggling fifteen minutes into the first set, and the thought of another two hours standing was daunting. From our sought after position, second row, I had to go to the side and find a prop. Marg joined me at the interval. A bench had been set aside for those who were in a similar category, fully occupied. One chap sat on the floor, we followed suit.
You cannot sit there – the security chap announced. So back to standing, at least there was something to lean against. Unexpectedly, the security chap produced three chairs, sorted. And so to the second set, all of this year’s album – Woodcut – would be enjoyed in comfort, from the side of the stage.
Woodcut, a concept album, about what, I shall refrain from imparting, because unless its bleeding obvious, this listener has no interest in lyrics. Woodcut is a collection of songs with a musical motif recurring throughout the album A motif that is developed, not just repeated a la The War Of The Worlds. Was that only last week?
Seven musicians on stage, each with their moments to shine, and all involved in the vocal harmonies.
Claire Lindley on violin also contributed acoustic guitar. Paul Mitchell on horns added some percussion and occasional keyboards.
Alberto came oft to stage right, our side, to add further keyboards, standing face to face with Oscar Holldorf, the keyboard maestro. There were no idle moments, everyone was involved throughout. Lead vocals were also ably handled by Rikard, an impressive singer in his own right, then lets not forget Nick.
Vocals aplenty, themes aplenty, proper Prog, however, one annoying feature … they kept stopping. The London show is due to be filmed, why anyone would buy the live version puzzles, too fragmented. Then add the applause between the segments.
An entertaining evening, great musicianship, a polished performance, I would happily – sit – through this again, but at a standing venue, noway, Pedro.