There are some Southside venues which Hector is long overdue visiting. Anarkali (531 Victoria Rd, Glasgow G42 8BH) is most certainly in this category. It is thirty seven years since I last dined here, 1980, after my first stint as a Volunteer in Israel. Three years ago, Curryspondent Archie suggested I should visit, if even just for the Takeaway Pakora whose volume must match Dumbarton’s Delhi Darbar.
This Lunchtime saw Hector take The Mother for her bi-monthly shop, as has become – The Model – there was Curry involved. Time will tell if I regard any Govanhill/ Queen’s Park Venue as not being suitable for The Mother of Hector.
The Menu was studied online yesterday. Only one Fish Curry is on offer, this with a Sweet & Sour Sauce, not for me. The Karahi are described as being in the style I try to avoid – an abundance of Onion and Capsicum, and far removed from the – Heavenly Dish – I enjoyed last Wednesday at Karahi Palace. Japuri – was my favoured choice before arriving. I do wonder why the Menu makes such a feature of – Chicken – is it because Lamb and Prawns are charged at higher prices?
Nine Diners were already present when Mother and Hector entered Anarkali just after 13.30, two more came soon afterwards. This is good for a Tuesday Lunchtime, the associated Menu may be good value.
Mother glanced at the Lunchtime Menu and stated that she is not a fan of Pakora. Even with a few pieces, she would be unlikely to finish her Main Course. I asked for the a la carte, this came immediately.
Mother’s Order was as it was and shall remain: Lamb Curry (£9.50) with Boiled Rice (£1.80). Chutney was asked for, the price of this to be announced.
I asked the Waiter if there was indeed only one Fish Curry. This was the case. It was time to describe – The Hector Curry:
Lamb, Tender Lamb, with a Dry and Thick Masala, and no Capsicum.
He immediately suggested Lamb Karahi.
I questioned the presence of Capsicum and was assured these could be withheld.
I don’t want Big Chunks of Onion either.
Mushrooms?
Perfect.
Why does this Level of Flexibility not prevail?
A Glass of Tap Water and a Bottle of Sparkling Water completed the Order.
You asked for dry? The Waiter reconfirmed moments later. This suggested there was an actual – Chef – in the kitchen, too often at Lunchtimes I suspect some venues of reheating Leftovers from yesterday.
Sitting next to the Bar, I could not see what was being served to the majority of those present. The nearest group had bottles of Bier and Wine, taking full advantage of the – Free Corkage – at Anarkali. Platters of Sizzling Tandoori Chicken were served to them, which reminds me: I have had no updates on the Akash in Helensburgh, will it ever open again?
I could hear my Lamb Karahi before it reached me, this looked just – The Business. The Masala was Thick and Minimal, it had been reduced in the Karahi, the tell tale singe marks on the Meat giving this away. The Meat was piled high, easily double figures, Large Pieces too. The Mushrooms had been sliced, time would reveal the extent of these.
Lamb Karahi
The Paratha was Huge and had Girth. It was already a matter of – how much would I leave? Layered and Flaky, and served Whole, only a lack of Seasoning stopped this being Perfect. It was still Damn Good.
Mother was taking an age to get going, spooning the Rice a bit at a time. Warm plates – was her first positive remark. The Chutney came last, there’s no point telling The Mother to order a Patia.
Lamb Curry
There was more Lamb here than Mother would ever eat. The Masala was the standard – Puréed – Classic Indian.
The Boiled Rice was served as a Sensible Portion, but still more than Mother required. There would a Doggy Bag. I dipped some Paratha in the Masala, probably the same as in the Karahi, but in its original state.
When the Waiter came over to make the Customary Check, I gave the thumbs up, Mother stated her enjoyment, clearly
With three pieces of Lamb left and lots of Rice, the Doggy Bag was declared.
One or two pieces of Lamb were not as soft as others. The sauce was beautiful, I cannot complain.
Oil was collecting at the base of the karahi, just the way I like it. The Seasoning was not up to Hector’s hoped-for Level, the Spice was Moderate. There was an underlying Earthy Flavour from the Masala, sadly the Meat itself was giving out very little. Hector too thought the Doggy Bag would be summoned, this was a Huge Portion to attempt this early in the day. Fortunately, the Meat gave way to Mushrooms, more easily digested, and giving off their unique flavour. For the record, I would never have ordered a Curry without Mushrooms in the Epoch when I last dined at Anarkali.
Mother asked if I was enjoying my meal.
Good for a place with tablecloths – was the reply. I still prefer the Curry served in the local Curry Cafes.
The Calling Card was presented before The Bill was summoned. I thanked the Waiter for the Flexibility, being able to order – off Menu. He told me Chef was the Owner, and so is therefore used to cooking to order. He also mentioned a – Chef’s Curry – which is popular, available on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Bill
£26.80. The Sparkling Water was £1.50, the Soupçon of Chutney, £1.10.
The Aftermath
Mein Host came out from the kitchen. Unsure as to whether the Calling Card had reached the kitchen, I decided to go for it. There was a photo.
So there we have it, Anarkali, founded in 1975 and one of Glasgow’s few actual – Indian Restaurants. That this venue has survived this number of years is proof that they must be doing something right. The competition in this part of Glasgow is Fierce, if Classic Curry is your thing, give Anarkali a try.
Four months ago, Hector and Howard dined at 
One of the Sons of Akhtar greeted me on entry @21.10. 
On Marg’s arrival, the Poppadoms and Dips were presented. She had never met Akhtar, sorted.
The Desi Handi’s appearance was confirmation that this was as – how Hector likes it. The Masala was Thick and Minimal, the Temperature was – Hot – the Spice Level was – Fierce, but still the Seasoning was not at the level I seek. Enjoyable as this Meal was, the Spice Level killed any chance of the Full Flavour coming through, I did not get my Methi Blast. The mind wandered, twenty metres along the street lies 
Meanwhile, across the table, Marg made headway with her Prawn Puri. I had to ask if she could tell in what way it was – Desi. She was unsure. Opening the Puri revealed a Brown Masala, no needless Food Colouring here. I helped myself to a Prawn, they do tend to be Sweet, Mmmmm, as expected.
Unbelievably, Hector has not been to 
The Lamb Karahi was brought out first – Hot and Sizzling – in the too hot to touch Karahi, an amazing sight and sound. Dr. Stan’s Bowl came immediately after, this looked to be a more than Substantial Portion. Only one Chapatti was presented initially, strips were torn off, I had to interrupt the Good Doctor to secure the ritual photo. He was off. We ate in – Companionable Silence – thereafter. Not a Peep from Dr. Stan, not even his customary – Mmmmm.
The second Chapatti was presented, there was no stopping us now.
The Lamb was a mix of cuts. Chop Bones protruded from the Masala, some Meat was on-the-bone, some off. Tender – hardly describes the Quality. By the time the Chops were cool enough to tackle, the gnashers were in top gear. There is only one way to tackle this Dish, get stuck in.
Anticipating a time consuming journey for the 10km from Bury back to Manchester this Sunday morning, The Hector was up at 09.00. A stroke of luck led to a shared taxi to Bury Interchange and Tram rather than the 1.5km walk to a Sunday Bus service. This meant I was at 
This is the best place to have Breakfast – said a Lady in the queue as I moved along the counter to smother my Karahi Lamb in chopped Green Chillies and a forest of Fresh Coriander. Here we go.
The Portion was Huge. It’s Sunday Morning at 11.10, Hector has just been given more Food than he could ever contemplate before 15.00 on a good day. Take your time, Hector, the train leaves in two hours.
The Coriander and Chillies were mixed in, no photos of the Dog’s Breakfast. The Meat was easily in Double Figures, the Pieces were Large; the Bone Content would be revealed in time. How Tender was this Lamb? One suspects given that Friday was the hoped-for opening day, this Lamb had time to sit and absorb the Flavours from the Masala, Magnificent. As with 
The plan was to write a review of last night’s IQ gig at The Met in Bury, however, this evening news was released about the death of a Musician who has heavily influenced Hector’s musical tastes since 1973.
I had hoped to see Jaki at the 
The Lamb Curry had a Thicker, Puréed-style Masala than I have typically been served here. By the time the Rice absorbed any surplus, there was a suitably – non-Soup – Curry. The – help yourself – Toppings of Green Chillies and Fresh Coriander soon came into play.
One does not come to this part of the Northern Quarter to experience Earth-shatteringly Wonderful Curry, but to take on Bunkers at very agreeable prices. The Fayre is simple and satisfying.
An hour or so later Hector was back, technically it was now Saturday. I had bade – Farewell – to The Company. Lancaster was their next City Stopover, Bury for Hector, IQ at The Met.
The (Takeaway) Menu was briefly studied. Where was the – Hector Curry? I decided to consult The Chap at the counter who appeared most biddable.
A Steel Karahi contained the Hector Curry, no plastic plate required. Take a look at this Lamb Karahi, this was far from a Northern Quarter Curry, closer to the Yorkshire Interpretation. A metal spoon was placed alongside the Paratha, so much better than a plastic fork. The Paratha was served – Whole – everything was going Hector’s way.
The First Dip had me won, this Lamb Karahi had so much more Flavour than that savoured at the 
This was a Misleading Curry in terms of Content. With the Meat cut Small, the Dozen Pieces I could see looked Adequate. I was halfway through and could still see a Dozen Pieces of Lamb. Hector had been misled, this Portion was Huge. The Meat was decidedly – Mutton – it is always pleasing to taste – Lamb – and not the Bland Flesh served in too many venues.
Three nights in Manchester, there has to be a visit to 
The Menu is not what it was last year when I came at Lunchtime, then there was no question of the availability of their Wonderful Karahi. I cannot eat a Kilo, this is what was on offer. If I had 70p knocked off the price of a Craft Beer last night, I can negotiate a Portion of Karahi. I asked for a Half Kilo. Mein Host told me this was for two people. Has he not seen us eat? He said he would provide a Portion for one. A Paratha (£1.25) completed the Order. £1.25!
News from the USA is all over the Media presently, something Big is due to happen tomorrow. I was quite engrossed when Mein Host brought the meal. How Pale is this Lamb Karahi? Namkeen flashed through my mind, it would not be far from it.
The Buttery Flavours hit the spot, this was a totally – in your face – Karahi. That it was served on a plate felt odd. Nevertheless, this was the Real Thing.
What came looked remarkably similar to the Curry served 
I was thoroughly enjoying this Lamb Balti but then thought how it could be even better. Achari is not on their Board. Some Lime Pickle would have enhanced this Dish, it would most certainly suit what they serve.
The Bill
I took my plateful, carefully, back to the bench which was filling up. The Clientele were varied, Suits, all types, one thing stood out – No Women! This was as close to a Saloon in a Western as I have encountered. I wonder how many days a week the nearby workers frequent these premises? Do they have a Favourite? Do they rotate?
The Spice level was decidedly – Medium, below even. The Seasoning was unremarkable, there was nothing here to become excited about, there was nothing really to criticise – It is what it is.
Walking in around midnight, a few Chaps were in situ, Mags admitted she would never come to such a venue on her own, this is another Curry Cafe, nothing pretentious here. The Chaps who were already dining were happy to see us, each acknowledged us before we went up to the counter to order.
Both Curry dishes bore no resemblance to the Shorva Curry served throughout the Northern Quarter, maybe this is Ancoats, things are different here. The Masala was Minimal as asked and suitably Thick. Initially the Tender Lamb felt a bit – Chewy – but perhaps this was a rogue piece, thereafter all was well. The Meat was also cut – small – almost – Bradford Small, and there was certainly enough of it. There was an undertone of the Bradford Curry Taste, more Seasoning and it would have been closer still.
The Chapattis need a special mention. They were piping hot on arrival, and had great girth, these were tremendous, and one was certainly enough.
So keen was The Hector to get started, the ritual photos were almost forgotten. Behold a Hector with lips covered in Masala, enjoyment.
The plastic plates and forks were a bit of a let-down, it cannot be difficult to provide crockery. Still, we both know we have found a reliable source of Curry late at night in Manchester, something which has been missing in this particular area.