Hector is back at Karahi Palace (51 – 53 Nelson Street, Glasgow, G5 8DZ) four days after an afternoon of indulgence. Dr. Robin requested a midweek Curry outing, he chose the venue. Hector would hardly criticise his choice, so it goes.
Having discussed a need to get here more often, today was the Perfect Opperchancity to try something different. In Hector’s case, return to the Dish which first made me take note of this venue – Karela Handi Gosht.
At 16.00 this Wednesday afternoon, Qaiser was once more front of house, Chef Rashid was in – his spot. A Chap who may have been a customer sat at an adjacent table, he turned out to be a New Chap. All was set.
Dr. Robin was happy to stick to the tried and tested – Lamb Karahi (£7.90). I had Qaiser confirm that Karela was available then showed him the archive photo on Curry-Heute of this Wondrous Dish. Karela Handi Gosht (£7.50) was ordered, though I was informed that it would be served in a Karahi, the Ceramic Pots have long disappeared at Karahi Palace. Chapattis (£0.70) completed the Order.
There was no Salad today.
Lamb Karahi
I have described this Perfect Curry oft. Read any other revue of Karahi Palace and the chances are this Dish features.
Dr. Robin appreciated the – Blend of Spices – as he ate.
Spicy without being too Spicy – was his contribution to today’s Blog.
Karela Handi Gosht
This is a Demanding Curry. Karela, – The Bitter Gourd – is not for all. The Minimal Masala looked even Thicker and Drier than the above Dish. More Salt required – was my first note, followed by – Big Spice Hit. The Bitterness was to the fore, then I realised, with more Salt, this Curry would not work at all. I have enjoyed Stuffed Karela at Punjabi Charing Cross courtesy of – Hari’s Wife, it was Intensely Flavoured. I have watched Yvonne struggle with this Dish at Ambala Deli Bar, the balance of Meat to Vegetable has to be judged carefully else one ends up with too much of the latter.
The customary Toppings of Chopped Green Chillies, Ginger Strips and Fresh Coriander were complemented by Whole Chillies cooked in. The Spice Level should therefore not have been a surprise. No problems here.
The Tenderest of Lamb on-the-bone was a combination of Ribs and Sucky Bones. There was a proverbial mountain of Food before me. The Tomato-based Masala Mash also featured Karela Seeds which had to be fished out. As ever, the Oil collected at the base of the Karahi. A Magnificent Curry.
The New Chap approached us, and spoke. He asked if we required more Chapattis. Dr. Robin was nearly finished his, another one was ordered to share. It came in good time to revitalise the end game.
The Bill
£17.50. Why pay more?
The Aftermath
A promise to myself, no Curry this weekend.
With Clive’s flight back to Gatwick mid afternoon, there was time for Curry-Heute in the City Centre. 
Hector’s heart sank, – Yellow. OK, better than – 
Topped with chopped Green Chillies and Fresh Coriander, nine large pieces of Fish were placed on top of the Rice. Each had to be halved initially, as the appetite waned so the pieces were cut smaller still. The Quantity of Fish seemed to be approaching Biblical Proportions, the more I ate the more there was. I was down to Flakes, eventually.
The Masala was most certainly Thick with Lentils. The Chicken was in Shreds, not the solid pieces one expects in Halal Chicken. There was a complex array of Toppings, the Lemon wedge remained unsqueezed.
Exceedingly hot – was Clive’s opening remark. He is becoming good at giving a commentary.
This would be a two Curry Day. Yvonne had Aloo Keema Mutter waiting for us to be served at a mutually agreeable time. Having followed 
A 
The Shorva soaked into the Rice making the latter even more Flavoursome. The Spice Level was no more than – Moderate – as ever the Seasoning was Perfection. The odd Clove was picked out of the Melange before I decided to make more of a Dog’s Breakfast. The Salad began to look appealing. I took half and passed the remainder to Clive who copied my actions. Now we had Meat, Potato, Rice and Salad on the plate plus the solitary piece of Chicken. The Chicken, also on-the-bone was taken care of. It did nothing for me. 
In larger, busier venues, Chops can be rushed, the interiors may still be Pink, the exteriors lacking Charcoal. These Lamb Chops were as good as any ever served, absolutely Perfect. 
The Lamb Karahi arrived soon after Clive had wiped his face. One Chapatti each has generally proved to be sufficient such is their size and girth. Everything was hotter than everything else. Eating directly from the Karahi helps maintain the heat. 
I have missed this Tomato-rich Masala Mash. The Spice was pitched well, the Seasoning felt below what Hector desires after the Chops. With the ever popular Chopped Green Chillies, Ginger Strips and Fresh Coriander Toppings, there would be a Diversity of Texture. The Ginger Strips today appeared to be huge and were particularly crunchy. The Lamb was on-the-bone as is every Lamb Dish served at 
A crowd of Chaps had assembled at the counter, we gave up our table. Hopefully they would order – Real Food. Only on leaving did I spot that Chef Rashid was on the premises. 
The online Menu shows the full range of Dishes one might come to expect. With two pages allocated to Lamb Curry then Keema in a separate section, there is much to choose from. Lamm Methi (€12.90) was bypassed, an Aloo Methi (€9.50) also, Hector was having Fish.
I was given a choice of tables, one near the counter and facing the action sufficed. A Lunchtime Buffet was an option, available until 16.00. I asked for the Menu and retained it after I had ordered so as to complete records.
Topped with Ginger Strips and some Fresh Coriander, how often have I written this? A Curry without this Garnish has become the exception. Let’s have even more Coriander.
The Solids were decanted, I could not tell how much Fish there was due to it being indistinguishable from the Potato. There was certainly enough here to justify the price. The Masala was Thick, Onion Seeds were mixed through. My guess was – Onion Seeds – based on the descriptions of other Dishes in the Menu.
At 12.10 two more Diners entered, followed quickly by another four and then some more again. They were all here for the Buffet. I have seen food piled high on plates, there was no holding these people back, they knew exactly what they were doing. At €8.50 for a Large Plate they were most certainly being fed at an excellent price. I was determined to study the Buffet on my departure.
When I saw the Buffet it was the Keema which stood out, the rest was as one might expect, Soupy Curry. One could do damage to their Buffet Keema, then I thought, next time:
Hector, Marg and Howard saw Anathema perform in Glasgow on what was the second night of The Optimist Tour in September this year. With everything ready The Roadie appeared to fuck up big style and – Suddenly – Vincent Cavanagh’s pedal set-up had to be re-wired. The result was a lost half hour of music given the curfew at The Garage. Still, they played an excellent set with coverage of the best of recent albums. 
Prior to the announcement of the UK Tour, Hector had purchased a ticket for this evening’s concert at the Live Music Hall (Köln-Ehrenfeld) with Alcest in support. Having purchased the current Alcest album – Kodama – days before the Glasgow gig there was enough familiarity to confirm an interest in their brand of Heavy Rock. Unfortunately we only caught the last ten minutes of their set. 
Anathema’s taped intro began at 21.00, as each member took their spot, so the Electronica increased the suspense. Danny Cavanagh was last on stage, sporting the now familiar headphones, it was straight into four songs from 2017’s – The Optimist: 
The Drummer was the band member who we could see most clearly, anyone could have been on Bass. Yes, the photos are crap.
Suddenly… the gig was over, in just under two hours. Was Part 2 the Encore? Do bands really only perform extra songs in Glasgow? 
The Lady of the House greeted me on entry, it is always good to be recognised. I took my choice of table in the empty room, a Young Waitress brought the Menu. Having studied a well known and reliable Curry Website I was planning once more to revisit the Lamm Vindaloo (€9.00) with – Hector Tweaks. The Lamm Limone (€9.50) suddenly felt like a good idea. Having secured my 0.2l Bottle of Gerolsteiner (€2.00) I was ready to order. 
Lamm Limone – keine Paprika aber mit Methi.
Counting the Lamb, I reached eight, this was enough, the sizes were decent. The Masala was not excessive in ratio to the Meat and Rice, enough to mix in. The Spice was below – Medium – I had not specified a Level. The Seasoning was Perfect, perhaps it this feature which keeps me coming back? There was a subtle Citrus Tang, however, I was missing the requested Methi. 
There are some dates in the calendar which will never be forgotten, this has become one.
*
A Mountain of Basmati was already on what would become my plate when Rizwan announced:
Steve was well ahead of me by the time I completed the ritual photos and note-taking. 
The Faither – of – The Company. There are no words to describe our loss.
Six visits in six years makes Hector almost a Regular at the 
A Methi and Spinach Dish was advertised on the board outside, this was enough to focus the mind, – Vegetable Curry – if I can eat Fruit early in the day, I can surely manage this. Sabji Curry (€6.90) with inclusive Rice and a piece of Poppadom was ordered, plus a Coke (€2.00). For the sake of consistency I shall post the next bit:-
Steve and James were next up: Steve went for Mutton Curry (€8.90), James ordered Butter Chicken (€7.90) and a Garlic Naan (€2.20). We took our seats, the Chap beside us was presented with a Mutton Vindaloo, a Curry which Steve described last year as – Challenging. The Curry served at this venue is not for the faint of heart. 
The Masala was near-Shorva, not excessive, and Medium Spiced. An excess of Seasoning has been the recurring issue on my visits here, this was within acceptable parameters. The Quantity was immense, I would be last finished partly for reasons described above. Carrots, Peas, Potato, Green Beans, Cauliflower and Ginger Strips all featured. This is the Curry I am most likely to have again if our custom of visiting this early in the day maintains. 
I have seen Curry with five pieces of Meat and then some. This was Magnificent, was I glad I had not ordered Lamb this morning? I could not have done it justice. The Masala was decidedly different from the Vegetable equivalent, a healthy hue of – Brown. 
Could do with being warmer – was an early statement made by Steve. 
With a Masala tending towards Red, this was less Creamy than I have encountered. The Garlic Naan was a manageable size for one, well fired, and served – Whole.
Steve decided to have a Starter, Spinach Potato Pakora (£2.80) followed by Classic Lamb Apna Style (£8.30), a Keema Naan (£2.70) would accompany. I heard him ask for – 
I had decided in advance, for research purposes, to have Fish Karahi (£7.70) also in the – Apna (Desi) style. I was about to approach the counter when Marg phoned, this put me a few minutes behind. Having enjoyed my 
Paratha (£3.20): Fish, Mince and Potatoes, a first.
As expected, Steve’s Pakora arrived first, but only seconds before his Mains. He was given a choice of Sauce to cover his Pakora, four large pieces. The Pakora looked Freshly Cooked, not Double Cooked which sadly prevails. 
Phwoar! – was Steve’s exclamation as soon as he dipped some Naan into his Masala.
Delicious, bursting with Flavour. A balance of Tender Meat and Spices, just right.
A Side of Potato is what I had in mind originally, I ended up with what appeared to be a Potato Curry, full portion. With the Keema Paratha, a Feast lay before me. The Paratha was inspected before commencing, again it had separate Mince Grains. Initially it was Excellent, then suddenly it was not. There was a taste I did not like, as if – Off. Half of the Paratha was left, Hector was taking no chances. 
I had been assured there was no Capsicum in this Dish, either in the Blend or stirred in. No Green Chillies topping this Dish, just Ginger Strips and Fresh Coriander. The Fish Flavour hit the palate, an instant – Wow! Having eaten here twice previously and been impressed by their Lamb Curry variants, I had hoped the Pedigree would be there to have Fish. The Fish was Soft, sufficient in Quantity, a delight. Once could see the Quality of the Blended Masala, so Rich, Viscous. Had it been blended then more solids added? One cannot hold – Soup -in a fork, this Masala impressed. The Spice, the Seasoning, the Spice Flavours all impressed. Hector has found a venue serving a worthy Fish Karahi in Manchester.
The Masala looked no different from my Companion Dish yet the taste was totally different. Given the Quantity I invited Steve to partake, Hector shared…