It is the day to take Mother for her Lidl Shopping. That there is Snow on the ground should not be a hindrance. An air mass from Siberia reached the UK yesterday, Glasgow escaped the brunt. En route to – The Southside – the weather warning was upgraded to – Red – a first for Snow in Scotland. A wee bit of snow.
Arriving at The Village Curry House (119 West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA) at 13.50, the New Waitress showed us to a table far away from the few occupied. Realising we were being left out in the cold on two levels, she offered to let us sit with the other Lunchtime Diners.
Mother disappeared to use the Facilities. I asked for the Menu. The New Waitress pointed to the stand holding the cutlery, I felt like a Schmuck. How many times have I been here? Then I realised this was the Lunchtime Menu, not for Hector. The Lahori Lunch (£5.95) suits Mother.
For what felt like ages, I had no Mother and no Waitress. Eventually I asked again for – The Menu.
You want the black menu?
The Main Menu.
Basically at lunchtime this is the menu. (pointing to what was already on the table)
I beg to differ.
Hector will have his Curry.
At 14.10 the Order was taken. From the Lahori Lunch: Vegetable Pakora, Lamb Curry with Boiled Rice, and a small Portion of Mango Chutney please. From the – Menu – Lamb Desi Kourma (£7.95) Spicy with Special Rice (£2.75), and no Capsicum.
Desi means – Spicy – , sometimes it means – Local – I was informed.
Really?
As long as the Order is right, all shall be forgiven.
The – Red Alert – was scheduled for 15.00, by now the Snow was the proverbial Blizzard. I was already concerned about my drive home. The trains were all cancelled, buses would disappear at 16.00. It’s Wednesday, Pub Night. What? The State Bar is closed today? This is – The Beast from The East.
Mother was hungry, and so ate all three Large Pieces of Pakora that were presented. The Pakora was well fired and clearly hard. There was a struggle to eat it. Mother could not work out why the Mains were taking so long.
You are still eating your Starter – such is where we now are.
They’re awfully hard – observed Mother. Glasgow Pakora.
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.
At 14.32 the usual Lunchtime Waitress came over to verify my Order. Had someone in the kitchen recognised it? Fortunately the wait was not much longer, meanwhile the Snow was getting deeper.
Lamb Curry
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.
That’s lovely – remarked Mother early on.
I haven’t had anything as Spicy as this for a while.
True, Hector has spent most of February away. Roll on March.
That Lamb is beautiful – was her final mid-meal comment.
Meanwhile…
Lamb Desi Kourma
The Curry on which Hector was basically – hooked – for ages.
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 – offensive – in the Rice, mission accomplished.
In my review of the recent visit to Sarina’s (Queensbury – Bradford) I listed some of the top Glasgow Curry Houses who serve a Curry one could distinguish from all others. Add this to – The List. The Seasoning is usually all, the Citrus here adds so much. The Meat to Masala Ratio was more than acceptable even allowing for my Bradford Indulgences last week. This Blended Masala remains a Favourite, what’s more, the Lamb was giving too. The Colour today was – Light Brown.
I can’t move – said Mother as she stood to put on her outdoor clothing. She had been fed.
The Bill
£16.65 Almost as good as – Bradford prices.
The Aftermath
I suggested to Mr. Baig that he rename his business for today:
The Village Ski Resort.
This is how much snow covered the car during our meal.
Hector is now a – Housebound Husband – a great Opperchancity to keep this Blog up to date.
Hector is the Last Man in 
I visited these 
One occasionally spots something new: I have referred to this Curry House as – 
I always enjoy this Curry, a Light and not too filling start to the day. With Tomato cooked into this much Thinner Masala than the 
Somehow I found myself starting the third Chapatti, this is unheard of. One should never have this Fish Karahi with Rice, Chapattis it is.
February 24th, 2017
Glasgow has 
We had each taken a Modest Portion to start us off, then shared out the ever diminishing remnants. We could have eaten twice as much, even more. 
Back on the 576, a longer than expected wait, then two came together.
Two nights ago a Bradford taxi driver recommended the Sultan Restaurant (219 Manningham Lane, Bradford, BD8 7HH England) as being a Curry House worthy of investigation. Hector has drive along Manningham Lane many times and has wondered about the venues near Valley Parade. I phoned yesterday to establish the opening time, Noon suited perfectly.
Yvonne declared last night that she would join me for Curry this Lunchtime. Perhaps she and Craig are realising that this is a good way to start the day after all. I arrived at 
Other Diners arrived from another direction, there are two sets of stairs? Craig, Yvonne and Mags arrived some ten minutes after noon, also from the other side of the room. I had to ask where this door was, – beside the main door. How have I missed it all these years? Initially I parked in the adjacent Wilton St. car park so always approached from there, therefore those are the stairs I know. I have only ever dined in the main Restaurant above once back in 1997.
To aid their selections, I showed my Fellow Diners the dedicated page for 
The Kebabs were very long and moist and reminded me of – something I prepared earlier, sorry. Craig was enjoying these and insisted we all try a Soupçon. The Seekh Kebab was Spicy, very Tasty and Fresh, much appreciated. 
This was served delightfully – Dry – as Keema should be. 
In many ways this Curry is the antithesis of why I come to Bradford. The Masala stands out and is decidedly – Thin – approaching Shorva. However, the Masala is so full of Flavour and combines especially well with this Fish, Masala Fish. The Spice and Seasoning were well balanced allowing all the Flavours to emerge. I find this a joy to eat, and it has to be with Chapattis.
Yvonne was waxing lyrical, whatever that means:
Craig made no comment that he had ordered – Meat – and had been given Chicken. He eats Chicken Curry mostly anyway. This Jalfrezi was the Driest I have ever seen, one to note for the future. 
Fifteen Chapattis were served up, and simultaneously. They retained their heat, four were left. I realised that in Aberdeen this pile of Chapattis would have cost up to £45.00, in Bradford they are inclusive.
And so to Saltaire for The Bradford Beer Festival, Sir Titus Salt would turn in his grave if he knew that his – Temperance Village – was being used this way. 
… or Hector orders Chicken Curry!
We waited for our Curry, at this point Ali would have kept us amused, the photo suggests we were not particularly so. 
Why this Curry is served in a Glass Dish remains a mystery. Only this and Lamb Chops Karahi/Achari have been served thus on previous visits. The Egg, is it cooked on top of the – Hot Masala? Part of me hopes this is the case and it’s not just a Fried Egg thrown on at the point of serving. The Lemon Wedge offered some Citrus, another source of Flavour. A sprinkling of Fresh Coriander Leaves and Stems was present too, no Ginger Strips!
Five Kofta were buried under the Egg, more than enough Meat. Halving the first, quartering the second and so on felt as if a Geometric Multiplier was in force, the more I ate, the more I appeared to have. The Masala was closer to the – Standard Blended – Masala that would feature in any Mainstream Curry House, the 
Very, very good – said Howard who was eventually defeated. He would take his remnants away with him. 
Howard was not getting away with a three word comment – he was tracked down:
Hector was home for some nine hours between arriving back from 
The first Bradford Curry of this week was at Bradford’s oldest Curry House: 
Ricky glanced at the Menu then cast it aside stating that he didn’t know why he had bothered, he already knew what he was having – Meat Ball Spinach (£7.00). Hector chose the same with the Madras option for an extra 30p. Dr. Stan chose from the – Rick Stein Special – section of the Menu: Meat Spinach Karahi (£7.50). As is the Bradford way, three Chapattis each were inclusive. Note this all from Aberdoom who cannot afford to travel #1 Class!
The Portion comprised of four Kofta topped with a sprinkling of Fresh Coriander. Each would be halved then halved again. The more I ate, the more I appeared to have, this Portion was deceptive. The Spice was there, the Seasoning was not, it needed more, though Ricky thought otherwise. Tomato had been cooked into the Masala which looked so simple, yet so full of Flavour. This was a Masala with Spinach as I prefer, not a plateful of Green Herbs with Spice as some venues resort to. 
This had the appearance of a Classic Bradford Curry, small cut Meat in a Thick but Minimal Masala. Once again the Spinach was present, not dominant. 
Dr. Stan enjoyed his selection: 
After the preview evening at the Bradford Beer Festival held in Saltaire (CAMRA members only), Hector knew that a late night Bradford Curry was called for. Jonathan would accompany. 
Menus were brought along with the customary welcome of Poppadoms, Salad and Dips. The – Mash – had a particularly – Earthy – Flavour and would keep us amused until the Order was presented. The Seasoning here stood out, this was a worthy dip. The Lime Pickle was not touched, it can kill the palate and spoil what follows. One could stir it in, which reminds me, I have not had an Achari for some time.
On looking at the Menu, it was a matter of which Keema would Jonathan have? Keema Massala (£7.50) was his choice, preceded by Shami Kebab (£2.20). I decided to ignore the Menu and order a Bespoke Curry. In recent visits the 
No problem – was his reply. This should never be a problem, however, some venues claim the Peppers are already in. Six inclusive Chapattis would accompany. 
The two Patties looked to be well fired and possibly Dry. I would hear no complaints. 
This Curry typified why I am so keen to come to Bradford, this was a Bradford Curry! The Masala was as Thick and Rich in Flavour as one can encounter. The Bradford Taste – soon revealed itself, the Methi doing its job. The Lamb was presented attached to a variety of Bones: Chops, Ribs and Sucky. The Spice was well pitched, the Seasoning was decidedly Brave. Bones, Methi, Seasoning, the ingredients which make – The Perfect Curry.
Howard and Hector were taught a lesson on what is – Spicy – when we visited 
The Menu was Minimal, it was Indian – Veg or Non-veg – in other words, Chicken. I asked for – Meat – he pointed to Butter Chicken (Zl 25.00). I was having none of this. The sincerity of 
Some fifteen pieces of Paneer and Vegetables in Spicy Batter sat on the plate, a Mint Dip accompanied. All eyes were on Hector who set about demolishing this plateful. Hector uses his fork in his right hand but eats (by hand) and drinks with his left. Apologies to all Indians who may be offended by this, one is set in one’s ways. 
Green Cheese! For just over a Fiver, a Feast. I am looking forward to – Weird Dreams – tonight. How much Cheese was on this plate? I counted around forty pieces, some cubed, some double sized, – a two – if one recalls – Cuisenaires– from primary school. This was a Brown Creamy Masala with Spinach, and not to excess. Black Seeds, either Mustard or Onion permeated the Masala. Small pieces of chopped Onion were in there too. How far was this from Hector’s usual Karahi Gosht?
I have eaten some dodgy Bread in the past couple of weeks, this actually looked like a Naan. It was Thin, the correct Teardrop shape, and was dripping in Garlic. The Red Chillies looked – Fierce. It was served – Whole! Piping Hot – I tore off a Strip, the joy of being able to do this, and dipped into the Masala.
The Bill
A Waitress brought the Menu and took my Drinks Order, two 330ml Bottles of Sparkling Water (Zl 5.00), Hector is living the life. The Menu was quite Diverse, Kwiat Peonii may promote itself as an – Indian Restaurant – however, the Cuisines of – other nations – are available. Pasta Curry (Zl 25.00), anyone? Seafood Pasta (Zl 38.00) is one to note for the future, especially if I ever come here with Marg.
The Waitress took the Order. I was offered the choice of Rice or Roti, inclusive as is the European way. 
Look at this Curry! Meat, an array of Vegetables, Minimal Masala and two Red Chillies protruding from the mass. As I have written oft, and even related last week to the Charming Lady at 
Cumin was the first Flavour to register on the palate, Powder I assume, I saw no Seeds. In time I bit into some Cardamom, had I not done so I would never have noticed its presence. The Red Chillies were set aside, one does not eat these – Beasts – but hopes they have done their job adding both Spice and a Smokey Flavour to a Curry. Not today, nothing. 
The last time I saw 
Mr. Wilson made it very clear that he did not wish to see people with phones held high recording (badly) snippets of the show. As a result, I have only a couple of photos and they are not up to standard. No photos, no review. Needless to say the selection of – songs – performed was most satisfactory. We were treated to – Arriving Somewhere But Not Here – (Deadwing – PT), a long time personal favourite. Such is the size of the back catalogue, one cannot have everything, though – Hand Cannot Erase. 
