There has been speculation in the last couple of days as to whether it is possible to have Curry with Paella in Barcelona. We did find Punjabi Bar (Carrer de Blai 25-27 , 08004 Barcelona, España) which sells Paella and no Curry. Their Kebaps were a choice of Chicken or Beef, no Lamb.
Today five of eight departed and the remaining three had to change accommodation. Unable to check in until 15.00, Clive and Maggie accompanied Hector on the walk up Avenue del Paral-lel to Espanya. Just off this is located Restaurant Asiatic Bhatti Kabana (Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 274, 08004 Barcelona, España) a venue I located by searching for – Pakistani Restaurant. Bhatti Kabana opens daily at 13.00, we arrived shortly afterwards. Clive had worked up an appetite, Maggie would have a Starter. Breakfast for all save Hector, was at 11.30.
Photos of Paella at the door and two rotating Kebaps were the first things we saw on entry. I checked the Menu before committing to a table thus confirming Curry was available.
After yesterday’s momentary loss of taste-buds I was determined to have something with a guaranteed strong Flavour. Karely Gosht (€7.95) should surely match this criterion. A Paratha (€1.00) would accompany, also the same 250ml Bottle of Vichy Catalan (€1.00) I had been served at Tabaq.
Keema Karahi (€6.95) was on the Menu, Keema Mutter (€6.95) was not, we would ask. Maggie chose Fish Pakora (€5.00). Two Bottles of Still Water (€1.00) would complete the Order.
Karely Gosht – I said to the Waiter.
Karahi Gosht – was his reply.
Karely Gosht.
Karahi Gosht.
Karely Goshy – finally.
Keema Mutter was not a problem, there was an expression of surprise that this Dish would be eaten without Bread or Rice.
Had Clive not had Breakfast one wonders if we would have shared a kilo of Lamb Karahi (€22.00)?
I went for a wander whilst we waited. The premises were very long and narrow, the décor very simple. The style took me back to the 1950s, apart from paint, I doubt if much has changed over the decades. How long has it been a Curry House?
Other Diners arrived, the Waiter was kept busy throughout our stay, people were ordering Kebap in various guises, heaps of food.
Keema Mutter
This looked decent, Peas aplenty, Ginger Strips on top. It had the correct consistency, Minimal to Zero Masala. I soon discovered what it lacked, Spice.
This lack of Spice was repeated as Clive ate:
I think Chef walked past the Spice containers – was the first of Clive’s observations.
I have just eaten Mince and Peas.
No Spices were harmed in the making of this Curry.
Fish Pakora
Four Pieces of Fish in Batter sat atop a bed of Lettuce. €5.00 for this?
The colour was decidedly dubious, Chef might have used the Food Dye.
Not Spicy – was Maggie’s comment.
The Pakora did not last long, there wasn’t very much to it.
Paratha
It looked Peely Wally but was nearly Perfect. This was Light, Layered and Flaky. A bit longer on the heat and it could have been a standout.
*
Karely Gosht
This looked – tired – on arrival. I wonder how long it had sat in the Karahi before serving? The Curry was Hot when presented but did cool remarkably quickly. Once I stirred the Mash I had a much better prospect. The Karela was plentiful, the Bitterness hit hard. Hector had a Curry to impact on the taste-buds. The Ginger Strips and Fresh Coriander Toppings added more Diversity. I was taking a liking to this Curry.
The Meat was Soft to the point of going to Pulp. At the base the Lamb was almost indistinguishable from the Masala. This reduced the necessity for intensive chewing. I considered the Seasoning then noted nothing, the Bitter Gourd was dominant, full on Flavour. For a period I used to eat lots of Karela, less so these days. This was quite a change, a bit of a challenge. It’s a pity the Spice Level was not commensurate with requirements. The lack of Spice was a feature of all the Dishes served today but in my case not enough to spoil the Karely Gosht.
I would have no hesitation about returning to Bhatti Kabana, however, the Spice Level of all Dishes would have to be clearly established.
The Bill
€24.40 (£21.59) Good value in the Curry Dishes, but the Pakora?
The Aftermath
I almost didn’t present the Calling Card. The Young Chap who was acting as Waiter and purveyor of Kebap had not had a moment in the time we were there.
I showed him the Website, this raised a smile and a – Gracias.
Hector tends to average trips to España (aka – Spyne – if one is from 
Mother enjoyed her first visit to 
The room was not the warmest, Mein Host came through to switch on the heater. Another Chap brought plates, these were cold. I asked if they could be warmed, this took two attempts. It makes such a difference to Mother’s enjoyment of a Meal having warm plates, it also keeps the food warm for longer. 
Delicious – announced Mother from the off. She prefers Boneless Lamb but managed fine.
The Rice contained Cloves and Cinnamon which added even more Flavour to today’s Curry eating experience. 
Mein Host came through to check all was well. He never says much, the Curry at 
I arrived back from seeing 
Topped with Ginger Strips and Fresh Coriander, this looked almost identical to that served around the corner at the 
The Naan had the appearance of a Large Pizza, not the tear-shaped Tandoori Naan one is used to. The Chillies and Fresh Coriander were embedded, there was enough Naan for two. 
Today is a special day, a very special day. Having a tea break in a portacabin at Dalmarnock Gas Board (Glasgow) back in 1977 the Friday Night Rock Show was on Radio Clyde. Radio? I knew of Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) but had never heard their music. They were on the – Manticore – label established by Emerson Lake & Palmer (ELP). All these triple barrelled names and initials. This was the same year I saw the Italian Jazz-Rock Band – Nova – twice at the Glasgow Apollo.
Four Holes in the Ground was played from the album – Cook – or – Live in the USA – (1974) as it now generally recognised. I bought the record next day, and their entire back catalogue thereafter. CDs were six years in the future. 
Last year Marg and Hector spent a few days at Lago del Garda. On the journey home I spotted the PFM 2017-2018 Tour Dates suspended from the roof of Milano Centrale. Having enjoyed an afternoon and evening in 
Precatory Foreordained Mutton
Mein Host brought a plate with four pieces of Vegetable Pakora, there was a Soupçon of Raita and a Red Spicy Sauce too. 
Two platefuls, large portions understood. The Naans were once more a decent size, soft, fluffy, and as I wrote two days ago, resembling the quality of the Pitta served at the eastern end of the Mediterranean. 
The venue we had already visited, a somewhat makeshift construction, a Big Tent in effect. The concert was scheduled to start at 21.30 giving people time to get there but no chance of public transport home. Steve and Hector had arranged with Mein Host at the nearby – Devil’s Kiss – that we would return after midnight for Birra and a Taxi.
A usually reliable Website gives Set-lists for Gigs across the planet, whoever posted tonight’s has it wrong, as I write. As anticipated, the opening song from the latest album – Emotional Tattooos – started things off. Il Regno – has all the hallmarks of Classic PFM, gentle beginning leading to imposing themes which build on each other, Symphonic Rock. By the end, anyone who did not know the Music of PFM would certainly recognise this next time. 
La lezione (Emotional Tattoos) followed on, inevitably, much of the new album would feature this evening. The line up for the tour is the same as the current album. Long term extra Drummer – Roberto Gualdi – filled in a la Chester Thompson for Phil Collins (Genesis) whilst Franz di Cioccio was stage front doing the Lead Vocals. Franz has been wearing the same t-shirt onstage for how many years? Two Chaps who were not born when PFM began took care of the Keyboards. Alessandro Scaglione took on the – Flavio Premoli – role, he had the Moog. Alberto Bravin took care of the rest. He sang Lead Vocals on the next song – Photos of Ghosts (Photos of Ghosts), played Acoustic Guitar on – Il Banchetto ( Per Un Amico / Photos of Ghosts) and as part of his Keyboards duties, took care of the Flute sounds. 
Dove… quando… (parte I) (Storia Di Un Minuto) featured on the 1974 Live albums. A very quiet and gentle song leading to Dove… quando… (parte II) (Storia Di Un Minuto) which is an extended Jazz break. I have come to know the structure of this well in later Live albums. Tonight’s line up kept to the core with flexibility permitted.
La carrozza di Hans (Storia Di Un Minuto) as ever, formed the conclusion to this extended instrumental period. 
At this point I was expecting an interval. The band played on, well almost. Franco took a while between songs to talk about his philosophy of Music, – Music is Music – Prog, Jazz. The audience gave him nothing back, no banter. There was too much respect, or was everyone feeling a sense of awe? 
The second hour featured three more consecutive songs from Emotional Tattoos – La danza degli specchi, Quartiere generale and the instrumental – Freedom Square, 
Patrick Djivas was given his Opperchancity to speak at length to the audience. Absent on the very first albums, he soon made his mark on Bass. Maestro della voce (Suonare Suonare) was the only song played which was written after 1974. Nothing from Chocolate Kings or Jetlag. With Bernardo Lanzetti singing in a band called Chocolate Kings, perhaps they have passed on the mantle. Maestro della voce has one of the best Bass riffs ever, PFM play – Swing, a show-stopper.
Encore
It took a while to exit, more DJ music, Zukunft by Julie’s Haircut, a new Italian band to me. This I shall investigate further. 
Mein Host was manning the counter, no Lamb Karahi was visible, though something out of the norm was… Liver? Heart. This can be a bit rubbery, on another day I might have been tempted, however, Kofta was there. Where else in 
That I mentioned – Kofta – by name brought an air of recognition as in – you know your Curry. I took the opperchancity to show Mein Host the 
Both plates arrived not long afterwards, mine had gone in the Microwave first. Steve’s had not been heated thoroughly and was sent back. Soon – Steaming Hot – much better. 
Bombay Tandoory is not a Five Star venue, this is very much at the Cafe-end of the spectrum, though there is a large dining room through the back.
Five Kofta were shrouded in just enough Masala. The Seasoning was full on, the Flavours immense. The Kofta were pale when opened, Chicken indeed, and whatever Herbs had been added to give the Flavour here. This was not a Chicken Curry but Kofta, quite different.
The Naan was round and pale reminding me more of the Pitta served in Tel Aviv / Tiberias / Jerusalem than a Regular Naan. Light and Fresh, it was a worthy accompaniment. 
Steve most certainly had quite a plateful. 
Alan had booked us in to 
This was Hector’s first visit to 
Your Special Karahi is hell for me, it has 
The Chops were well fired, Spicy, well Seasoned, Tasty. Another four, each, would have been Perfect.
Chunks of Salmon protruded from the Shorva-like Masala. The Coriander Topping was Minimal, Onion/Nigella Seeds were mixed through the Masala. Hector’s 
This Curry had an even Thinner Masala, more Shorva but not excessive; nothing Hector would deliberately order – Chicken in Soup! The more liberal Fresh Coriander Topping complemented the Herb rich Shorva. Alan stated at the start that he thought he was getting Chicken on-the-bone which I presume he would have preferred. 
A Soupçon came Hector’s way, it was possibly better than I anticipated. I liked the Herb content, but having dined here before, assume it was from the Spinach family and not Methi. 
A complicated name for which I can find no explanation. The Masala looked slightly Thicker than the above Dishes, but had a redder tinge. 
Tracy gave no tasting notes but did comment on the temperature of her Curry:
Given that I had to wait for my Curry 
Meat and Masala only, how glad I was I had ordered the Bhindi Bhaji. With Rice, the Blended Yoghurt-rich Masala would have been soaked up, disappeared. Bread may have worked for dipping, tackling the Meat required fingers. I counted ten pieces of Meat, nine of which were on-the-bone. The Bones were Large, the Lamb was beautifully Tender, however, the actual Meat content not as much as it could have been. There was not a lot of eating here. 
The Masala was woefully under-seasoned, the Spice Level at the bottom end of the scale. As a result, the full onslaught of Flavours one hopes for never appeared. 
It’s Friday night and Hector is going nowhere, housebound for forty eight hours already, and all because of – a wee bit of snow. Fish Curry came to mind, but not my usual 
Marg had escaped, and so only Hector was eating this fine creation. 
Note what Hector considers to be a 
Flavour-wise, I have to boast that I was impressed. It is rare that I cook Curry without Pickle or Tamarind. Cooking Curry has become a bit of a rarity. I shall do this again, with Breaded Fish, uncooked. There’s plenty of this batch left, so it will be a while.
Arriving at 
Basically at lunchtime this is the menu. 
Mr. Baig, Mein Host, came over to exchange a few words. The conditions outside were the focus. As a teacher of thirty four years I accept that there are three distractions that one cannot call order to: Window Cleaner, Wasp/Bee, Snow. So it goes.
We have seen this often in the last year or so. For what one pays, quite sufficient. It suits Mother’s appetite. A few pieces of Lamb in a Standard Blended Masala, but this is The Village, one should expect their Signature Flavours. 
As I began decanting the Curry, the Aroma had me won, oh so familiar, the Citrus. Topped with Sliced Almonds – wot no Ginger and Coriander? – eight Large pieces of Tender Lamb were present, I could have halved them, not today. The Flavoured Rice had Peas and Mushrooms, one could ask for Potatoes too and see what happens? There was nothing – 
In my review of the recent visit to 
The Village Ski Resort.
