Mother-in-Law is 90, Marg and Hector have driven to the frozen North on the eve of the celebration. This means an Aberdeen Curry-Heute at 21.00 on a Saturday night, how often do Marg and Hector eat together in a term-time Saturday?
Having done my best for Ambal’s Restaurant on recent visits, it was time to try somewhere different. A Reliable Curry Website revealed that it is four years since we last dined at Lahore Karahi (145 King St, Aberdeen, AB24 5AE), where has the time gone, and more importantly, what has been in Hector’s mind which blocked this venue whenever a choice was being made?
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 Lahore Karahi. We were escorted to the rear of the central row of tables, a good spot. From here we could survey all, we would as the night progressed.
Our first visit to Lahore Karahi was in 2011, Hector had a decent Methi Gosht, Marg had a somewhat Soupy Karahi served by a Dippy Waitress. On the last visit in 2012, it was Achari Gosht and Butter Chicken served by a Quirky Waitress. The Achari Gosht disappointed. On both visits, the Meat count was a strict – 6 pieces, not Huge then. Being served by Kids on both occasions, who had little idea of what they were about, was the lasting memory.
Four Years Later
Tonight the Staff were all Male, it became apparent very quickly that they knew what they were about. The Menu was well-fingered, no complaints here; the prices have not increased since last time, a definite plus. Most significantly, the price of a Tandoori Roti was therefore still £1.20 which in Aberdeen is remarkable. Hector has issues with the ridiculous price of Bread at Aberdeen Venues but not here!
It had to be Methi Gosht (£8.50) for Hector, the Keema Paratha (£3.50) Test would be conducted also. The Menu states Keema Aloo or Peas (£8.50). Marg asked for advice about which was better to have – ask for both! – and so Keema Aloo Mutter it was, accompanied by a Tandoori Roti. A Main Course and Bread for under a Tenner in Aberdeen?
I asked the Young Waiter for Extra Methi and Hotter than Medium, duly noted.
Sparkling Water is still not available, indeed only the most Minimal Range of Drinks is on offer. Marg ordered a Glass of Mango Lassi (£2.25). Lahore Karahi operate a BYOB policy. This feature had been fully exploited by the Group of Eight who thankfully felt relatively remote, though we could certainly hear them, especially The Women. This made a change from badly behaved children.
Two warm plates were brought in good time before the arrival of the Curry, by now a couple were sat at the adjacent table, we still felt we still had plenty of space. Marg estimated Lahore Karahi seats @forty, the place was still half full.
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.
This has a kick – was Marg’s first utterance. She ate on.
This is great.
The Potato is quite filling. The Hector had a solution to this problem.
Before commencing the Food on my side of the table, the Keema Paratha Test had to be conducted. The Paratha had been needlessly Quartered, I took a piece and split it open, this was different. Hector is looking for individual Grains of Brown Mince, not a Layer of Red Donner-like Meat. Here was a Layer of Brown Meat. Visually more pleasing, however, Grains would have been better. Still, a Fine Paratha.
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…
Is this Lamb? When I cut the Meat and it rveals a columnar structure, I have my doubts. This was not Leg or Rib, but I have found Lamb this way before. Whatever, the Meat was giving off no real Flavour and did not feel as if it had met the Masala long before it had met The Hector.
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.
Who would be a Waiter?
The Party was over, the Group of Eight were departing, but not before the Birthday Boy expressed his displeasure. I heard exactly what he said to a Waiter whom by now I realised was one of the Two Main Chaps running the Restaurant.
I could not let the Chaps finish their shift on a Low. I produced the Calling Card and handed it over with the Replacement Samsung showing the review of my last visit. Mein Host said he thought he recognised Marg, but certainly knew the review, apparently he has used one of the photos.
Of the Group of Eight, I was told only four had dined, the Hysterical Women had not spent a penny in Lahore Karahi, well maybe one at a time. I had only ever seen seven.
The Bill
£23.45. 50p less than anticipated. Still, the tip covered this.
The Aftermath
One of the two Main Chaps identified himself as Mein Host. We updated our Friendship on a well known social medium. I congratulated him on the price of the Roti, not £3.00 a pop here. The – 3 Free Chapattis – in Bradford had to be mentioned. He did admit that overheads on the Main street would be higher, still, it’s Flour and Water.
I asked what Meat was served as Gosht. It was Lamb, they do not serve Beef having customers from parts of India where Beef is Verboten.
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 Soupy Karahi served five years ago. A second plate appeared, I saw the Sucky Bones, much better, Lamb Karahi on-the-bone. This is available on the Menu with an hour’s notice.
Mein Host has promised that whenever they have new developments on The Menu, he will be in touch.
The Staff Photo was duly taken. The Hector has well and truly made himself known at Lahore Karahi.
£1.20 for a Tandoori Roti in Aberdeen, Les Autres take note!
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. 
With three Lamb Methi there was less of a photographic intrusion, still the Sides and Accompaniment had to be recorded. Where was the Aloo Gobi?
Yvonne was far from impressed with her King Prawn Balti.
I was worried for Dr. Stan when I saw his Lamb Handi. Shorva, not Masala-proper.
When the three Lamb Methi Dishes were brought I asked which was the Spicy one. They were all the same. The Delivery Waiter offered to take one away and sort it. I was not having my Curry taken away from me.
Howard inevitably had to compare today with 
Curry at a Beer Festival? Surely not. At this year’s Great British Beer Festival – GBBF – Hector was well impressed by the 
If The Hector finds a choice between three Dishes on a Standard Menu then the hopes are raised. Five Dishes could have been the Hector Curry this evening, I called them out as I found them.
This is stunning – he remarked as soon as he dipped his Naan. A piece of Meat was placed on the plate beside my Karahi. This is stunning – he said as he plopped the Meat. Another Piece of Meat (apologies Mr. Rarebell) was given to Mark – This is stunning! – said Howard.
Pretty damn good – said Mags of her Anarkali Balti Speciality, though she did spot that the Prawns were so small they were Shrimps, for those who classify Seafood in this manner. One may also conclude that it was the presence of Seafood which raised the price for this Dish.
I studied Mark’s Lamb Karahi with interest. The dreaded Large Chunks of Capsicum were not present, though there were Large Pieces of Onion. The final preparation may well have involved a Stir Fry judging by the appearance of the Masala. The Masala was Thick and Minimal, still, I was glad I had not ordered this. I have seen a lot worse, I have had a lot worse, but this was far removed from the Karahi as served in Glasgow where we are well spoiled.
The Root Ginger hit Hector’s Palate from the start of the Adraki. These are Ginger Strips.
The Masala was suitably Thick with Onions to the fore. The expected Kick was not there, this was not – Spicier than Madras. After the initial Ginger Blast the Dish became a bit nondescript, maybe this was partly down to sampling Howard’s Stunning Kesuri.
Having checked into the Travelodge bang on Noon, the search began soon after for Lunch. Orissia, directly across from the Travelodge was closed, still, the plan was to walk as far as Brangwyn Hall, to assess the distance on the ground, and take in as many Curry Houses en route, before deciding where to have Lunch. Simples. Not.
The prices here are rock Bottom, there was clearly activity inside. Methi Lamb (£6.00) was beguiling. 
The – Naashta – Pakistan Breakfast – was available in various Deals. The Waitress suggested their most popular, however I heard Halwa, – Halwa Puri. If this is anything like the Halva served in the Middle East then it is not for Hector, far too Sweet. Potatoes and Chickpeas was the next suggestion. Chana may not be my favourite Interesting Vegetable, at least I would be avoiding – Daal.
To accompany, a Bread was required. Paratha was on offer in many guises. Gobi Paratha would be a first. This was not available.
Suddenly Chickpeas became my Favourite Vegetable, for the moment. Served in a Spicy, Well-Seasoned Shorva, the Chana vastly outnumbered the Aloo. A Slice of Onion offered yet another Texture.
The Second Portion of Aloo Chana arrived, well-timed too. Hector rarely finishes a whole Paratha, today would not be an exception. I now had enough to consider a Meal. The anticipated second blast of Achari never came, my only disappointment, other than the Full Menu not being avaialable.
Spice Quarter (8B, Brewery Quarter, Cardiff CF10 1FG, Wales) is one floor up in another post industrial conversion. Why is Glasgow’s Riverside so Spartan? Spice Quarter is quite a labyrinth inside, screens dividing what would have been a huge bare room otherwise, Sound Decor. A Young Waiter was at the serving area, he took me back to a window table. A family of four, two weans, were the only other customers at 17.15.
Rogan Gosht, not Josh, Lamb understood. Ten pieces of Tender Lamb were buried in a fortunately not too Excessive Masala. The Masala was 
Very Good, thank you.
The Bill
Let’s not overlook that the 
The Motivation