One looks forward to this weekend every year, the – Wolf Strassenfest. Hector consumes Wine at this Village Festival on the Mosel. With all the time in the World to get home, the days of the Sunday flights have gone, instead for the second consecutive year, a Boat Trip from Traben-Trarbach to Bernkastel-Kues was the order of the day.
Bernkastel has a Curry Haus, the nearest one to Traben-Trarbach, our place of residence. Frank has given up the Altstadt Cafe, which is now re-branded as – Chez Mathieu – and run by Roman and Mathieu. Big changes.
Hector, Jonathan, Mags, and Dr. Stan alighted from the Boat at Bernkastel just after 13.00. After a quick look at the sights it was time for Lunch at Taj Mahal (Hebegasse 1, 54470 Bernkastel-Kues, Deutschland). There was a problem, Hector’s appetite was Zero, a combination of a bug not fully shaken off and the overindulgence of the last few days. For months Jonathan and Hector have looked forward to the Tandoori Mix (€16.50) which impressed so much last year. In effect, The Hector never planned to have Curry-Heute, Fish Pakora Amritsari (€4.50) was not what I had in mind. I should be able to force down a Starter.
Mags had spotted her Favourite – Aloo Gosht – on the Mittagsmenü outside, today being Sunday, this was not on the a la carte. She could have asked, what is the point of a la carte if one cannot have what one truly seeks? Karahi Gosht (€13.00) was therefore her choice. Dr. Stan considered this but kept up his – I’ll order something different. I advised him against the too Creamy – Palak Gosht – he went for Bhuna Gosht (€12.50).
Inclusive Rice is the norm in Deutschland, at Taj Mahal, Naan comes too. Hector has struggled here in the past with the sheer quantity.
Complimentary Poppadoms and Dips were provided for four, event though only three had ordered Main Courses. The waiter talked us through The Bits, the Mixed Pickle came with a warning – Scharf. The Poppadoms were rich in Cumin Seeds which is the European Standard, and always welcome. The waiter had asked us if we had a Reservation on entry. Why do Indians always ask about Reservations? It could be a necessity in the summer. Even today we had twenty two fellow diners, the busiest I have ever seen Taj Mahal which has improved markedly over the years.
Steve, who had hired a bicycle for the day, joined us briefly. He too was not in the mood for Curry. A rare occurrence.
Always keen to see what other diners have ordered, I spotted a Mix Vegetables identical to the style served in India. A Lady next to me had a Magnificent looking Vegetable Biryani. This meant Hector was passing on three meals today which would have satisfied. Maybe next year I will have to come back on the Friday before the Wolf Fest as I managed two years ago when a very nice man let me have the day off. Friday Curry – The Curry we had in Koblenz on Friday this year was poor, Seriously Poor.
Fish Pakora Amritsari
Four flat pieces of Fish stared up from the plate accompanied by a Garnish which would remain untouched. This was an Appropriate Portion, though one cannot help compare this Portion with that given on my first visit here. Then, the Fish was certainly chunkier. The Fish appeared to have been cooked in a Simple Batter rather than Gram Flour based one. The Spice Level was Minimal. The Creation was very Moist which certainly aided digestion. Hector had no complaints, this suited the day, and having been presented when the Others had their Mains, timeous.
Karahi Gosht
One always worries, this Dish can be horrendous in Europe, and in many UK venues for that matter. This was the first Dish I had in these premises six years ago, it was decidedly poor back then. Today’s interpretation had a Puréed, Thin Masala which evidently had some Creaminess to it. It was not Shorva, thankfully. Large pieces of Onion and slices of Tomato had been added as the customary, and unwelcome, Bulk. I have seen a lot worse, I have had a lot worse.
Mags started slowly but warmed to what lay before her. The Naan proved to be too much for Mags who had taken her share of the sensible portion of accompanying Rice.
The Lamb is cooked well – was her first remark. Dr. Stan agreed.
Yeah.
At the end Mags had cleared her plate – That was quite pleasant.
Bhuna Gosht
I had put it to Dr. Stan that his Masala did not appear to be too different to that in the Karahi, he agreed. Neither of use were sure why this was a – Bhuna.
A bit creamier than I expected – was Dr. Stan’s minimalist verdict. He had enjoyed his first visit to Taj Mahal.
*
*
Mix Tandoori
This is one of the most joyous spectacles ever encountered. Piled high, no Higher, on a Sizzling Metal Platter came Chicken, Lamb and Prawns topped with Lemon and Onion and even more Onion and Tomato beneath the Meat. Not Curry, but Stunning Indian Cuisine.
A bit off-putting – was Jonathan’s only negative when he drew our attention to a Bright Green piece of Chicken. Whatever combination of Herb and Food Colouring had been employed it did not prevent Total Enjoyment.
A fair bit of meat here – was an ongoing contribution. Needless to say, The Hector wished his appetite had been up for the job.
The Bill
One does not ask, one approaches the desk in the adjacent room. We paid individually. €7.50 for Hector who had a Fanta with the Fish Pakora.
The Aftermath
We found Steve across the Mosel at Cues Bahnhof, a micro-brewery. Alan and Tracy eventually arrived on another Boot, too late for Curry-Heute.
With an enforced change of train between Düsseldorf and 
The Pakora was a Hoot. Strips of who knows what in Batter. Something Green – was my first observation. Broccoli was suggested, Onion too, perhaps Potato. The Raita was Thicker than the Norm, Tasty. This was but a Soupçon, hardly Echtes Pakora.
Strips of Beef and Onion lay in the Thinnest of Masalas – Shorva. The Masala disappeared into the Rice changing its colour. That was all the Masala was capable of.
The 0.2l Bottle of Sparkling Water was a bit of a disappointment, in this heat one needed to take on Bunkers. I had no clue as to the cost of this tiny bottle, better safe than sorry.
The Seasoning hit home first, the Salt level was definitely in one’s face. The Spice Level was at the Mild end of the Spectrum, I hadn’t specified – Scharf, so I cannot complain. The Lamb was Tender and tasted of Lamb. A not so Spicy Lamb Stew – flashed through Hector’s mind as the note-taking continued. However, is this not the definition of – Curry?
There was a very distinctive and powerful Flavour whose source I could not fathom. Assuming an Onion and Tomato base to the Masala, this was a blend which was a standout. 
Given there was enough Rice for two, I concluded that there was probably enough Bhuna Gosht for two. Supposing one came to Tandoori and ordered a Starter? 
Hector knew one thing for certain today as he headed to Musselburgh to celebrate Neil’s Birthday/Retiral do – there would be no Curry-Heute. Whatever the source of the stomach bug, Hector has been out of commission since the small hours of Tuesday.
Qaiser was at the dark doorway as I arrived – what has happened to the lights?
On entering, John noticed that the Price Boards had been stripped. 
Extra salt, extra methi – said Qaiser as he placed the Karahis on the table.
Hector spotted the Masala was even Thicker and Darker than the normal – Thick, the Masala was also more plentiful. It was John who spotted that the Chops had been cooked in the Tandoor, the skewer hole was the giveaway.
The engravings on the windows of 
The Mixed Vegetable Karahi (£6.95) has been enjoyed before, the usual exclusion had to be made.
The Waiter brought the Complimentary Poppadom and Dips, Spicy Onions, Mmmm, my first in a while.
Potatoes, Cauliflower, Tomatoes, Green Beans, Fresh Coriander, Ginger Strips and Okra! Who needs Lamb? Half of the Rice was spooned on to the Plate, there was enough for two to share. Again half of the Karahi contents were spread across the Rice, a Huge Meal in prospect. The Individual Vegetables were perfectly cooked. As ever, the Masala was at the absolute Minimum, the Spice was there, the Seasoning a Tad under, still, with the Variety of Textures, a Great Curry.
At the conclusion there was not a drop of oil on the base of the Karahi, just a shiny Residue, The Healthy Option.
We found a parking place some fifty metres beyond the venue, Marg remembered to check the parking meters. Free after 20.00, only in Aberdoom. On entering, a large group occupied the left seating area. All the tables down the right of the room were occupied bar one which was being cleared; this was the busiest we have seen 
Another Chap brought the Curry, the Keema impressed immediately, no sign of unnecessary Masala. The Methi Gosht had a suitably Thick Masala, I had to count the Meat – 6 pieces. I did raise this by one later, The Standard Portion. Marg had no such issues, her metal bowl had a Very Decent Portion.
The Methi Gosht was Well-seasoned, extra Green Chillies had been added so this was far from Bland. The Herb content was visible throughout the Masala. I was not getting a huge Methi Blast until…
I had to help Marg, the Potatoes came my way. Hector now had his Interesting Vegetable, the Methi Gosht was greatly improved. Although the Aloo had no taste other than Potato, I did start to sense the Herbs more clearly. This made a Good Methi Gosht – Very Good. But still no – Wow.
The Chef and his Assistant (Mein Host’s Brother) took a table in the centre of the room. The Chef’s Curry was on the table, I had to ask. Chicken Karahi. Again I had to ask, they never add Capsicum. The Masala was more copious than I would prefer, but far from the 
Today’s visit to 
With Drinks sorted, the question of differing Parathas (£2.70) had to be resolved. I showed Naveed the Paratha I enjoyed so much on 
This is a Curry – exclaimed Steve from the off. Indeed, the Lamb Handi is markedly different from the Lamb Karahi which is our Norm. The Masala is Plentiful, Prominent. This is Meat in A Sauce, but what a Rich Masala. Tomato seeds are highly visible, Onion features prominently. It is possible that Onion may well have been puréed to create the texture of the Masala. Cloves came through strongly, so if this is not a Flavour one enjoys, beware. This was a Large Portion, quite a bit short of the full Kilo, and so easier to tackle. Naveed assured us he can eat this by himself. I offered to sit beside him one day as he does so. As always, Naveed was on hand just in case anything more was required.
Mein Host showed me to a table for two near the door, the first customer of the day, though another Chap was in and out whilst I dined. I thanked him for sending me to 
Hector produced the Calling Card and explained about the Blog, 
The other Customer had come and gone – Express Lunch Menu? Hector was savouring the moment.
The Facilities are downstairs, and so a further dining area and bar was revealed.
A Taxi took The Hector from Birmingham Moor St. to Broad Street, the first time Hector has seen this hive of night-time activity. The taxi dropped me at Pushkar which Sources suggested was the must-visit Punjabi Restaurant. Cocktail Bar & Dining – this is so far removed from the preferred Curry Cafe style of dining, Hector took the photo of the facade and walked on.
Greeted at the door with a welcoming smile by a Chap in a Turban, eastZeast is again upmarket but hopefully the focus would be on Curry. Hector was marched through the Restaurant, past a succession of raised booths to the far right. Here lay more traditional tables. My table for two was most certainly in the corner.
Chef was showing no mercy, this was a Spicy Curry and some, nay problem. The Oil collected around the edge of the plate as I observe in the Curry Dishes I enjoy most. The Minimal Masala was Thick and Familiar, it was identical to the Masala Mash served in the heyday of Glasgow’s 
I have researched the term – Sookha, the translation is Famine, this portion was huge. The Quantity of Meat justified the £11.95 charge. The Flavour of the Lamb itself came through, Sucky Bones were to the fore. The Marrow was present in some bones adding extra Flavour. At times I could sense the pleasure that Glasgow’s 
Nobody else was up for Curry-Heute two or three days in a row. Even Hector was questioning his sanity, however, what are the alternatives? This is the Food I prefer to eat and would do ad nauseam except at home where I have to cater for someone else.
Both Achari and Paratha were served Piping Hot, Great! The Achari portion appeared to be small in the large white bowl, this was deceptive. The Meat was easily in double figures.
The Masala was far from the Soup I had seen so much of last night in 
The Paratha was already Quartered which spoiled the fun, I prefer to tear off strips from a whole. The Paratha was Layered but not Flaky, resembling a Large Tattie Scone.
I congratulated Husban on the Quality of the Dish served. I had to mention my preference for Whole Paratha. 
