Saturday, April 30 1956, as I recall, nothing much happened on that day. However, tonight Sixty Years later, there is a Big Party at The Staggs in Musselburgh. Prior to this, The Hector has to be fed.
Marg, who still works, finished her Saturday Duties in Kilmarnock just before noon. Hector was there to collect her. Try having Curry in this part of Ayrshire on a Saturday Lunchtime. Balbir’s Route 77 has been re-branded/sold and is not open as sources suggest at this time. We went to check it out, how does one gain access now?
The A71 connects Kilmarnock with Edinburgh, via Glaston, Darvel, Strathaven, nothing open. By the time we had passed the M74 the realisation hit, we should have gone to one of Glasgow’s Finest Curry Houses, not just settle for whatever. The A71 was abandoned in favour of the roadworks on the M8. Musselburgh was calling.
Three days ago, Hector and Dr. Stan visited the Gurkha Bar & Restaurant (96 N High St, Musselburgh EH21 6AS), it was – OK. Closing at 14.30, Marg phoned just after 14.00 to verify they would take us. Had it really taken this long to drive across Central Scotland?
Mein Host today was a different Chap, so no recognition. The Menu was provided but no Poppadoms or Dips were forthcoming. I suggested to Marg that she have the Achari Lamb (£9.55) that looked the better of the two Dishes served on Wednesday. Marg, against all advice, chose the Lamb Karahi (£8.95) without Qualification. This was a risky move, we shall see. As ever, a single Chapati (£2.00) would accompany. £2.00 for one Chapati?
Wait for it…
Hector totally ignored the usual parts of the Menu and went straight to the Vegetable Dishes. Eh?
A lot of Lamb has been consumed since the return from India. The Vegetable Curry in Wroclaw was a Standout, I am happy to continue in this frame. A Mixed Vegetable Curry (£7.55) with Mushroom Pilau (£2.75) to accompany it would be. The Biryani Section was considered, today Hector would have no Meat. I’ll be eating Chicken next. Why is it so hard to secure Quality Fish Curry in Central Scotland?
As 14.30 approached I observed that some of our Fellow Diners were having an Extended Lunch. The Foaming Ale was still being ordered. Bar & Restaurant it says.
Mixed Vegetable Curry
Altogether now – Potatoes, Cauliflower, Peas, and Green Beans – the Standard Four. There was enough Diversity in Texture, each adding their Personality, I am becoming used to this. The Masala was impressively Thick and in no way Excessive. The Seasoning was acceptable, a Medium Kick, what was there not to like? There was a Wholesome, Earthy Flavour markedly different than any Meat Curry. The more I ate, the better it became. Ah, the Cauliflower had the same Foostie Taste discovered in New Delhi’s Rampur Kitchen. Over-cooked? To get all of the Vegetables perfect must be difficult without prior cooking.
The Mushroom Rice came in a sensible sized portion, the Mushrooms were Fresh thankfully. The Curry and Rice was filling, Meat was not missed. Hector will be eating more Vegetable Curry in the foreseeable.
Lamb Karahi
When Hector orders this Dish there is always negotiation about what should accompany the Meat. When Potatoes can be agreed upon instead of the Usual Ballast then I know I have made the point. How often have I seen Marg suffer with Large Chunks of Onion and Capsicum?
The Masala appeared to me as very similar to that served with the Vegetable Curry, and Excessive.
The taste of the sauce is lovely, the lamb is tender …maybe not actually. Marg’s optimism was short-lived. She pulled out four pieces of Capsicum, red, orange then finally green. The Big Onion Chunks did not suit her either. Marg should know by now not to risk Karahi in lesser known venues.
Having decanted all of the Mushroom Rice for photographic purposes, Marg lost out. One Chapati did not go far. There was more than enough Rice to share. This time Hector had the better experience. Next time I suppose it has to be Achari Lamb.
The Bill
£25.35. It is my Birthday. Didn’t I do well?
The Aftermath
Despite 100% sobriety, I struggled to release myself from the bench seat. Note to self, if I fall down again it is time to leave The Staggs.
Postscript – Hector was last out, again… and a Special Mention to Curryspondent Archie, and his Lady, Maureen who came to The Staggs to help celebrate the day.
Eleanor, who represented Hector at the Curry Awards earlier this month, suggested a Curry for All before watching the beat combo – Slow Train – later at the Commodore. On the train down to Helensburgh, Hector met Curryspondent Kevin. One would be surprised if he does not appear in person before too long in these pages.
Visits to Helensburgh are no longer a daily occurrence and so neither are visits to the 
Marg and Eleanor have found a Dish they both love – Mint Coriander Masala (£9.00). As ever Marg would have a single Chapati, Eleanor the Boiled Rice. They would share a Vegetable Pakora, Marg holds their Pakora in the highest esteem. Such are the expectations of the visit.
The Vegetable Pakora was up to Standard/Expectation, the Mixed Combo is definitely shrinking. The Lamb Tikka Cutlets are the Highlight for me, they are smaller than previously, and more chewy. Still, very Tasty. A smaller portion means it is easier to tackle The Main Course, maybe they could knock a £ off, at least.
One could tell, whilst taking the photo, that this was going to be Something Special. Before me sat the Thickest, Minimal Masala I have seen in over a month. With the Dried Methi and Fresh Coriander on top there would be four distinct Sources of Flavour. The Pickle was Intense, the Level of Seasoning was – Brave. This might not suit some, however, IMHO, this is how this Dish has to be to extract all of the Flavour within – Tremendous.
There was plenty of Tender Lamb, the balance between Perfect Paratha and Meat had to be calculated. One can leave Paratha, one hates leaving Meat/Masala. I should order the Mixed Combo to arrive afterwards, not as a Starter. (
This is really good – stated Eleanor almost immediately. The Mint Coriander Masala in Lamb is tried and tested. Tonight’s Dish was possibly different from the previous savoured. Eleanor was sure she could taste a slight Pickle Element, I was invited to confirm, true. The Masala was also darker, the advantage of photographic records. Amazing Curry! – was her verdict. Every grain of Rice was finished, the plate licked, figuratively. And why did we receive a portion of Pilao Rice that was not ordered?
Jamie, eating the Chicken version of Hector’s Feast for the first time was most certainly impressed. Thanks for the recommendation – was his contribution. For Jamie it was the Naan which stole the show. How Big? Crazy. What’s more, having burned up the calories before he arrived, he was able to eat the lot. There is a place in 
The Bill
Nigel, Mein Host at the Staggs, has recommended the Nepalese Restaurant just across the street and so the Gurkha Bar & Restaurant (96 N High St, Musselburgh EH21 6AS) it was for dinner this evening. Calling themselves a – Bar – is one way of stating that they sell a full range of Drinks. We were here for The Curry.
By the time we had dismissed the – No chances – it was the Usual Dishes to choose from. Most Lamb Dishes were priced at £8.95 – Methi, Bhuna or Karahi. Achari Lamb (£9.55) was 60p more and listed in the Gurkha Specials. This was Dr. Stan’s choice along with a Tandoori Paratha (£2.50) Also in the Specials was Bhuteko Khasi (Medium) – Tender pieces of lamb cooked with onion, garlic, green chilli and spring onion. The ingredients should avoid a needless conversation, however, I did ask for more information. It should be served suitably – Dry. A Stuffed Paratha (£2.50) would accompany.
The Bhuteko Khasi was presented with the Thick, Minimal Masala that was agreed upon. The Standard Version may differ. The Spice from the Dips was still stronger on the palate through much of the eating, though in time, Spice did emanate from the Lamb. There was very little Flavour, the Dish lacked Seasoning. The Spring Onion was a Topping and at least added a welcomed diversity.
This appeared to be very much a – Standard Curry. Topped with Tomato and Ginger Strips, this gave the impression of being the better of the two Dishes.
The joy of being home on a Saturday afternoon, the 15.00 Curry. The venue, the Curry House I visit most regularly – 
his Lamb Karahi cooked by one of his two favourite Glasgow Chefs. There is no need to describe the Customisations – what extras to put in, and what should never appear, understood. A single Chapati should be sufficient accompaniment.
Just in case anyone thinks otherwise, the Topping is Long Green Chillies, sliced, an Extra Kick, to supplement the Green Chillies cooked into the Mash. The Mash, Heavenly. The Seasoning, the Oil, how I have missed this, yet I have deliberately not come running here since the return from 
This was the sheer joy of having a Bespoke Curry prepared when Chef has the time to give it his all. Welcome back, Rashid.
Hector chose to split his shift to enable Curry-Heute. Jim told me where not to go, I had pretty much decided that the choice of venue would be the Koh-I-Noor (40 New Sneddon St, Paisley PA3 2AZ), less than a ten minute walk from the Town Hall.
I was given a small table at the rear of the room. There was a assumption of – Buffet – I asked for the Menu. Methi Gosht (£8.95) was listed under the Karahi Dishes. The Ubiquitous – Green Peppers – were listed as the Unnecessary Ingredient. Rogan Josh (£7.95) would be the fallback.
Decanting the Rice, it was pleasing to see Fresh Mushrooms and a Sensible Quantity of Rice, the colour Orange was puzzling. The Curry was carefully arranged, the photo captures the Thickness of the Masala, nothing Runny here. The Spice Level was exactly as asked – Hotter than Medium. The Seasoning was a tad under. The Waiter returned to once again assure me there were no Green Peppers. The Lamb was plentiful, into double figures. What happened to the – Methi Blast? I could see the Herb Presence, but could taste nothing distinctive, the only let down.
A Pleasing Curry overall, way better than that served 
With the Slightly Creamy nature of the Masala, no Chef would Season this Curry to Hector’s Standards. The search for Spice began, that I had to look for it speaks volumes. The Lamb was the Source of what little Kick there was. The Ginger Strips at least added a Blast of Flavour but this Dish suffered from a lack of Complexity, no Surprises. The appearance made me anticipate Coconut, but none ever made its presence known. Have the tastebuds been Rowing Jack-ed?
I was asking myself why this Curry was considered to be a Handi, Pasanda is how this would be rated in the West of Scotland.
I have had better Curry in 
The Bill
Tavaa is no more.
Restauracja Indyjska Shivaz (Mielzynskiego 16, 61-829 
Hector ordered a la carte
This was a much more sensible Portion than I had been given on 
Seven Large Pieces of Mutton, which varied from Tender to a Good Firm, had to be cut, making fourteen. This was enough Meat. There was an Aroma of Dark Red Chillies yet I found none. The distinctive South Indian Aroma was there. As I ate, the term – Chettinad – came to mind. The Dish was – Spicy – as asked for. The Masala had a Decent Thickness, the Cream Content was not overdone. With the Ginger Strips and the Vegetables this was a Very Satisfying Curry Experience. Dare I say, this could be the Curry House in Poznan I should recommend one visits first?
Chicken Madras
Ricky would never have ordered this in 
l) are on the Menu for a reason.
The miming, the Wicked Uncle, adverts, and so it went on.
The Masala was Thick, Creamy and thankfully not to Excess. The Spice Level never really registered. The Slivers of Onion added to the Melange of Vegetables, as the Seasoning crept up so did the Experience. The Quantity of Lamb was well into Double Figures, Seriously Tender, I was enjoying this Curry. Not Perfect by any means, but providing the necessary enjoyment. There would be little need to eat again today.
The Bill
The 
I found myself sitting under a balcony, there is more to this venue than the off-street location would suggest. Was there ever an entrance from the official address?
The Bill
Hand Cannot Erase was played, in order, and in its entirety as the first part of the concert. SW, speaking in English informed the audience that some of the back projections were shot in Poznan. There were breaks between the – Songs – I would have preferred continuous Musik, however, when IQ unveiled Subterranea at Bury, it was approaching two hours before anyone spoke to the audience. Weird.
The Album varies in style. The first twenty minutes are songs, melodic, catchy, emotional with the necessary SW Heavy Chords blasting. The album progresses through the more Instrumental Phase, some of the Keyboard and Guitar interplay makes the hairs on the neck stand up. The classic – Moog – solos, this is The Perfect Rock Album, and it’s Prog!
