Marg has done very well, a week in India, eating nothing but Indian Food. She deserved a change. We had a choice of sit-in – Dominoes, a first anywhere, we chose the more familiar Pizza Hut (8, Handicraft Nagar, Fatehabad Rd, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India). Home Sweet Home.
A ten minute walk from the Gateway Hotel, the busy junction was less intimidating in the light of day, people mostly ignored us, sadly, so too did the Chap who was meant to be serving us. Having been allocated a table fairly efficiently by a Young Lady, the Waiter was apparently taken aback when we asked for time to read the Menu. We did order Drinks, without Ice as advised for the entire Trip, however, any thoughts of bringing these quickly did not pass through our Chap’s brain. It was only 42°C outside, Hector required Bunkers.
Pizza Hut will no doubt never appear again in the Curry-Heute Blog, however, the Menu deserves a special inclusion. Kadai, Kofta and Paneer, only in India. Ironically, I cannot stand Chicken Tikka on a Pizza as served in the UK, but the thought of Kofta, well. For once, heed should be taken of the Chilli Ratings.
We were here to eat – Bland – Euro-Food. Black Olives with Pepperoni on a Deep Pan base, a Hector Pizza. No such luck today, the Veggie Supreme it had to be.
The size was perfect for sharing, as usual I ended up with the Larger Half. Our Chap finally brought the Sprite having been reminded – No Ice – for the third time. Not the best service. There’s more.
The Bill
Rs 965.00. (£10.75) So was Marg’s Drink counted as one? There was a 10% Service Charge. We paid the usual Taxes on top, but Tax on the Service Charge? Then they Rounded up the Gross Amount, a fraction of a Rupee to make the Bill Amount. 1.2 Billion people in India, do this with every customer… No wonder India’s Economy is blossoming.
The Aftermath
The Taj Mahal was so – this morning. Time for the Agra Fort and the Baby Taj.
India Trip 2016 – Day 7 – Agra, Uttar Pradesh – The Taja Mahal, Agra Fort + I’timad-ud-Daulah
A pre-dawn rise, it might have been worth it. The first few hours of sunlight were spent at the expected highlight of the 
Fear not, Marg and Hector were transported with the rest of The Group back to the 
The Fish Cakes had me a bit excited. Fish Pakora is regarded by this Commentator as the Finest of Pakora. Fish Curry, when served well can be astonishing, as was experienced a few days ago at 
Having taken our seats at one of eight empty tables, the Menu was issued. Mutton Rogan Josh (Rs 310) was last seen at 
The Waiter let us choose our table, before doing so, I asked if they had Mutton and Bier. We took our seats.
Handi Gosht (Rs 450), a Classic. Hector first enjoyed this at Glasgow’s 
Vegetable Biryani
Paneer, Peas, Cauliflower and Green Beans were mixed through the Rice. A Meal in itself, but at home we would expect a Masala on the Side. It’s fab – said Marg, said in reply to my question. I can see us sharing this as an Alternative to the standard Vegetable Rice back in Blighty. As ever, there was way more than one person could eat. Just as well, given what follows.
The Waiter was keen to know if we were enjoying our Meal initially, then he sort of faded.
Lunch in an hour so would have been logical, however, those who do, decided that we had to visit this most 
The entire complex at 
A large table was set up for the Group of Twenty plus Guides. I took a seat furthest from the Breakfast Buffet, let The Others go first. I saw Adrian’s plate, that was it, today Hector is having an Indian Breakfast.
Sambhar, the few actual 
Having had – Bhaji – ‘explained’ in the 
Poori was the Bread of choice, something different. Hector The Adventurous, where’s my Karahi Gosht?
The Bill
The announcement was made, – Veg – would be a Vegetable Cutlet, – Non-Veg – would be an Omelette. No more Eggs for The Hector, I was also intrigued as to what a – Vegetable Cutlet – would be. I have never understood why Vegetarians go out of their way to make some of their Food resemble Meat. I also recall that no animal had ever been harmed in the creation of 
What does one do with this lot? Make a Sausage Sandwich! There was a Lovely Herb ad Spice Taste in the Ersatz Sausage, the Ketchup provided Moisture but spoiled the Overall Experience. Washed down with the Lime Water, the taste of the Coffee Sludge was erased.
A Meal on an Indian Train, – Tick. A pity we were not later in the day, I would have gone to visit the live Chickens in the kitchen before ordering Non-Veg.
The Waiters served the Starters. A Vegetable Something in Batter, a Fritter/Pattie, had a decent Kick. The starlight meant nobody could see inside, to be sure. A piece of Chicken was, well Chicken-like. Seekh Kebab! My first in 
A Potential Problem
Chicken Curry, the Masala looks Sound.
Mixed Vegetable – Minimal Masala.
Penne, Penne, Penne. Tarka Daal, with the above, no need.
Mixed Vegetable
Crispy Potato
The Bill
Quite a few tables were seen to be occupied as the doorman showed us in. The hierarchy of waiters was revealed by their uniforms. A Drinks Waiter was keen to serve, the Food Waiter had to be stalled. Club Soda (Rs 90) in the meantime. Sparkling Water! Sprite (Rs 125) for Marg.
After days on Chicken, Mutton was very much in mind. I spotted the – Fish Curry (Rs 550) – Fillet of fish cooked in special gravy with fresh tomato and herbs. It had to be. The ubiquitous Jeera Rice (Rs 200) would accompany. The Waiter insisted that the Fish Curry would serve two. We agreed on – More than Medium – for the strength. So far, so good.
Two accompaniments were set before us. As they were served cold it was decreed to be Salad, and therefore untouchable. Another Club Soda was required, 39°C necessitates the intake of fluids. I spotted the Maitre d’, a Chap sitting at a dispatch box at the head of the room, a la Sydney Greenstreet. Photographing the restaurant was difficult, too many mirrors, too many people might have wondered…
It looked good, it smelled wonderful. The Masala was a Classic Curry Sauce, far from Shorva. The Masala was not excessive, the Onion and Tomato Base visible. The Rice was enough for one and a half. There was a slight crispy edge to the Fish. Marg received a one seventh share of the Fish. She too remarked on the – crispiness and the kick. What – The Fish – was, we shall never know, – Masala Fish!
Marg could appreciate the Quality, so when I announced – This is the Best Curry I have had in India. – she was not surprised. Outstanding Curry!
At this point Mein Host disappeared, Mother took over, she spoke English!
To a tablespoon of Hot Oil, Yellow Lentils, which had been soaked overnight, were added. They were described as – Green – before soaking. Garam Masala, Cloves, Cumin Seeds, Crushed Bay-leaves, Black Cardamom, and Cinnamon Stick were stirred in. A lot of straining is going to be required.
Garlic Paste, Chilli Powder, Turmeric, Salt, Cumin Powder then Water were subsequently added to the Mix. Apart from the Lentils, this is similar to how one makes any Masala, c.f. 
Mother suggested that Chapattis and Roti are the same thing. So why do Rotis go Crisp?
Chicken – served in Shorba. This was Poor, Under-seasoned, minimal Spice.
Paneer – this featured Onions and Capsicum! The Offending Ballast was picked out. Again a Shorba. A waste of Ingredients – is what I noted at the time.
Aloo Jeera – served Dry, this was the best Dish on offer. The Cumin does it for me.
Tarka Daal – maybe I was just determined to avoid this to prove everyone wrong. Still, a Shorba by any other name.
Boiled Rice – just in case you have never seen it.
What appeared to be Lime Pickle made an appearance. Tina assured our end of the table it was Gunda, which is?
Having 
This is a Vegetarian Restaurant, it was written that The Hector would dine here. The Prices were a fifth of the Hotel Prices. People say that the cost of living in 
No other Diners joined us. One speculates as to how Fresh the Ingredients may be, the cleanliness of the Kitchen, the Chef. Could this be the Meal that sets us off? I write often of my Preference for visiting the Curry Cafes in the UK/Europe. This venue is officially the Cheapest I have dined in. There had been an attempt at creating Ambience, – Rustic – would be generous. The posters on the wall gave us an insight as to what we would see over the next couple of days.
The Gobhi Mushallam was served Piping Hot, this was a relief, it should therefore be Safe. The Parantha was Modest in size, but then I can rarely eat all of what is served at home. 
It could still be considered early afternoon when we arrived at 
Jeera Rice
Aloo Taare Ko, shout it LOUD! This was Tremendous, Wonderful, add as many Superlatives as you choose. In effect I was eating Chips, I eat Chips rarely, they are Bland. This was a remarkably well presented Potato Dish. It is a Nepalese Dish, a punch on Hector’s Nose. The Hector Hound avoids Nepalese Restaurants unless one is in 
Is it any surprise I went back for more? Two impressive Dishes in one Buffet, there is hope.
Marg recalls the Pancake-like Dessert as being – Chewy. Hector does not really care for Dessert. If I’m still hungry, please feed me more Curry.