On the low road from the Travelodge and Ibis Hotels to Kelham Island, one may spot Frehiwet Habesha (35 Exchange Street, Sheffield, S2 5TR, England) an Eritrean and Ethiopian Restaurant. Hector did just that two days ago but they were not open early enough. Deciding not to attend today’s Biere Sans Frontieres activity meant I went out later, success. At 13.00 this Sunday Lunchtime, they were open.
One Lady Diner sat at the window table, I saw her meal arrive but it was covered by a Basket. I had no idea what I was subjecting myself to, hopefully a better experience than at Tunisia’s Planet two days ago.
The Waitress brought The Menu, the first page was Beef, the next page and half was Lamb with the occasional Chicken Dish mixed in. The descriptions covered many Dishes I had never witnessed before. Having been exposed to West African Cuisine in a previous life, I know that Africans like their food to be Spicy. Where’s the jar of Chillies?
The Fish section is what I had hoped for, Salmon Stew (£14.00) – Salmon stew with olive oil, onions, garlic, green chilli and other spices. Served with Rice and Salad. Perfect, but I was informed that none of the Fish Dishes were available today. Start again.
The Menu went on to offer Pasta Dishes then Vegetarian, back to the Chicken. Yes, The Hector does eat Chicken.
Chicken Doro – Exquisitely flavourful and spicy chicken slow simmered in berbere sauce. Served with hard boiled eggs also simmered in sauce, home-made cottage cheese. Habesha Injera was included, a flat bread.
The Waitress returned and confirmed that the Chicken Doro was available. A Bottle of Sparkling Water was my sustenance whilst The Chef was called into action. One wonders how busy this place becomes? Located on a back street parallel to the main high street in Sheffield it is not out of the way, and very handy for the Ibis or Travelodge.
The Chicken Doro was brought into the room, once again suspense was maintained until the last possible moment when the basket cone was removed. The Waitress had held the basket in one hand whilst supporting a tray with the other. When the basket was removed I was taken aback, the entire tray appeared to be the meal.
A Brown Sponge-like substance covered the tray as one would arrange Pastry before baking. Was this a Banana Leaf Substitute? In the middle of the tray lay the actual Food, a Thick Dark, and I have to use the word – Masala – because it feels apposite, with a Single Whole Boiled Egg and One Piece of Chicken. Half a thigh? Not a lot of Chicken. Beside this was the Cottage Cheese. The Hector was taking all this in, wondering where to begin, when The Waitress placed a side-plate with two Rubbery-looking Napkins beside me, more Flatbread.
The Hector had to abandon the Traditional eating by hand and ask for cutlery. I knew I was expected to Dip the Bread, and perhaps even eat the Tray Lining, but this would have taken me a week. At this point I still did not know how this Meal would taste. I tore the end off the Doughy-Napkin and dipped it in the Masala, not bad. Not bad at all. There was a Modest Kick, the Masala was at least – Not Unpleasant. Once the Palate became less nervous this was upgraded to – Pleasant, then – Very Pleasant. Indeed, the Consistency of this Masala would embarrass many a Chef from the Indian Subcontinent. The Masala had a good Thickness, the Kick was developing, there was an underlying Sweetness, the Sour, Tangy Taste from the Bread balanced this well. Time to tackle the Solids.
The Egg was broken up to make it last, again it worked well with the Sauce. The Cottage Cheese was worrying, mix it in with the Masala or eat it separately? I mixed some in, no way could I put all this Cottage Cheese in my body then go and sup Ale, Hector knows his limits. With the Chicken still on-the-bone I could see how little Meat there was, again, strip the bone, make the Meat last longer. The Chicken was, well Chicken. What does Chicken add to any Dish other than being a Meaty Protein?
One Napkin was eaten, the other remained untouched. By now I had scraped a hole in the Bread in the middle of the tray. There was time to consult The Source of All Knowledge – Habesha Injera – there were photos of what I was eating. This was not a Banana Leaf substitute, do they grow Bananas in East Africa? Apparently everyone sits around the tray and eats until all the Bread is consumed. Apologies for not being able to even consider this.
The Bill
£8.00. A decent price for Lunch, Sparkling Water included.
The Aftermath
OK, this is a Curry Blog, but what is Curry – anything you want it to be. I have been served Less Spicy Curry. The Calling Card was offered and the Website shown.
This was an Experience.
Later Mr. Snax would offer a comment on the Flatbread – Cornflour with Tamarind Paste. That would explain the Brown Colour, however, I have not been able to find evidence of this.
The Chaps and Chapattis were assembling in Sheffield this evening for tomorrow’s Biere Sans Frontieres AGM. Hector had already been asked to name the venue for Curry. From the Shakespeare it is only a five minute walk along the River Don to Wicker where lies 
This afternoon, those lovely people who organise the Scottish Curry Awards contacted Hector to inform that once again Hector Curry-Heute has been shortlisted in the Awards. In 2011, I was runner up to a local celebrity. In 2012, I was runner up to a corporate body who had sponsored the event. Can The Hector be shunned a third time? Still, it is good to be nominated and make the shortlist, especially as this time I did not invite anyone to vote for me. One concludes that The Curryspondents may have had a hand in this? Thank you.
The Bitter Gourd was in Slivers and lived up to its description. With the Methi, this was as Bitter a Curry as Hector has experienced, Simcoe, Chinook and Citra came to mind. This was Excellent, and confirms what I realised on 
Jonathan knows his Keema. This was as Dry as it should be served. Very good, dry – no Methi was reported.
Finally there was Derek who had not secured his first choice of Main, and was unhappy with his Paratha. I had seen the Palak Ghost the previous evening and so knew it would be a worthy Dish, almost tempting. A Chicken Curry may well cross Hector’s Palate once more in the near future.
Lamb Chops? Not today! I also turned down Kofta, Falafel, Tagine, Wraps, various Kebaps and Burgers. Molokhia (£6.99) caught the eye – special tunisia beef curry cooked in north african spices. The Sundries included Home-made Bread (50p), all was set.
I have been to 
Had it been later in the day I would have had Tagine, in fact any of the above would have been a better choice.
Hector finds himself back in Sheffield, yay. On 
The Gulshan Balti House across the street had a neon sign saying – Open. The Waiter greeted us, there was no Chef. Could we come back at 19.00? I suggested he accompany us to 
Moments later Mein Host came up the stairs, Hector was remembered, the order was accepted.
An Aloo Gobi and a Daal were set before The Chaps at the adjacent table. They were engaged in conversation. Both Chaps are Vegetarian, one a Vegan. I asked him if he thought the Earth was Flat? I love Vegetables, but as an Accompaniment to Meat, to never eat Meat? Permission was granted to photograph their meals, a gallus way to build up a 
One can tell by its appearance when a Curry is going to be outstanding. The Lamb was cut Small, but not Bradford-small. The Bones were also Small and Sharp, one Sucky Bone. The Masala was suitably Thick and Minimal, the Green Herb was visible, strewn in the Mash. Excellent. Knowing what to expect tends to lead to complacency, this was Wonderful, but a tad below what was served on January 2nd, a bit more seasoning would have put it right at The Top. Still, it passed The Test, this was a Hector Curry.
Dr. Stan asked – Is there Methi in it?
The Kofta’s appearance was misleading. The Meatballs were smothered in a Thick but perhaps Excessive Masala. Only when the contents were decanted did the Meatballs reveal themselves. Spicy and Meaty – said Dr. Stan, our neighbours had departed.
The Bill
In two days or so, Kenny’s life is about to change forever, there had to be a Curry-Heute whilst he can. Dr. Stan was invited to join Kenny and The Hector at 
Arriving moments after the arranged 18.30, the table at the window had plates and cutlery already placed, the house way of telling others – Reserved. However, we had a new Young Waiter this evening so he challenged us as we took our seats. This was Sunni, who quickly brought the usual Poppadoms, Spiced Onions and Dips having confirmed that the rest of the Food was ordered already. Kenny likes his Spiced Onions, fortunately he enjoys a Curry too.
Mr. Anwar Sr. stopped at our table and greeted us. Kenny was keen to tell him, and everyone else, that he is days away from becoming a – Daddy. (Kenny will never reach Retirement Age.) Hector managed to mention a looming trip to India. Mr Anwar chatted for ages, Education, Poverty, Opportunity, and Food were all covered. During this period, Sunni brought three Large Haddock on foil, Gosh! Hector took one piece and passed the plate to the left. Dr. Stan removed the next lovely piece of Spiced Haddock and passed the plate across the table to Kenny who was still in full flow. Kenny maintained the show of manners and continued the thrust of the conversation with Mr. Anwar. Dr. Stan and Hector were not letting the Fish get cold.
The Haddock was – Stunning! Baked and Grilled was one theory. The skin was partially black, the top – Crispy, a modest Kick leaving Spice on the lips. Superb – remarked Kenny when he was finally let loose. It was. There is the risk of over-filing on Starters but this was Light and Flavoursome, not to be missed.
It was nearer ten minutes later when the Karahi, piled high with Lamb Chops, was presented. Three Chapattis accompanied, this should be enough. We have learned that this Quantity of Meat is best tackled with the Minimum of Carbs. Our seating arrangement this evening meant that all of The Goodies were placed before The Hector, it was again up to me to get things going.
Four Lamb Chops felt like an honourable number to start with. Some of the Masala-mash was scooped from the base of the Karahi, here lies the Mother-load of the Flavour. The Karahi was again passed to the left. By the time Kenny had taken a share we had made a Dent, there remained a Substantial amount of Food.
We don’t like you – was The Hector’s address to Shkoor. You could have this every day.
Two weeks ago, 
A Complimentary Poppadom and Dips were set before me by the Young Waiter, not one of the Sons unless I was mistaken.
The Young Waiter brought the huge plate of Vegetable Rice and the Desi Handi. One person could not possibly eat this quantity of Rice, however, I had to decant nearly all of it to ensure that all the Vegetables were located. Potatoes, Cauliflower, Peas and Carrots were included, exactly how I like it, essentially a Vegetable Biryani.
The Desi Handi looked so familiar. The 
The Lamb varied from very Tender to requires Chewing. There was a lot of it. Such was the Quantity of Meat, the Masala was suitably Minimal. Last time I asked for extra Methi and well-seasoned, the Curry was Outstanding. Today I waited for the Big Flavours to emerge, no. This was still a very good Curry, but lacked the – Wow. Next time I shall spell it out, my fault.
The Special Rice had Peas and Mushrooms, not particularly – Special – and less impressive than the Vegetable Rice that was available in years gone by. The Quantity was Sensible, a plateful, not a mound which would lead to waste. The Achari looked just the job, the Classic Village Masala, and this time not excessive. A quick count of the good sized Lamb pieces took me double figures. So far, so good.
Where were the Bones? This was Boneless. Still, the Quality of the Lamb was impressive, just enough chewing. The expected Pickle Blast did not occur. Indeed, 
With the Rice, this was a the Perfect Quantity. With the end in sight there was the realisation that the Pleasure would soon be drawing to a close. This was as good a 
The Bill
On the way back from Leeds, a City from where most likely no Curry-Heute Reviews will ever appear, Hector took the notion to re-visit one of the first Bradford Curry Houses ever encountered, Rawal (3 Wilton St., Bradford, BD5 0AX). Twenty years ago, in another life, Bradford was slowly revealing itself. This was the most basic venue I had ever encountered. It is never open in the daytime, tonight it was closed.
Two Karahi were brought, one much Larger than the other. Both ended up on my side of the table. The Fish Krahi was passed over to Howard, the Larger Karahi stayed with me. Lamb Desi, this is what Howard had last night, so why present the different sizes? A lot of Curry. Five Chapattis sat mid-table. Five?
Howard’s Fish Krahi was also Super-spiced. He kept a bit aside for me to sample, this was declined. It is
A brisk walk to the ring road and down Chapel Hill took minutes, the lights at Lahori Taste were not on. Closed.
Three Chapattis had been provided, presumably this was automatic in the kitchen, who orders two Chapattis? Whatever the Fish, there was more than enough, there were no Bones. Fish adds a new dimension to Curry, and makes a great change from the normal Lamb Overdose which I inflict upon myself. The distinctive Fish Flavour was accompanied by Tomato on the Palate. Studying the Masala more closely did reveal a considerable Tomato Presence. This was a followed by a strong Citrus Blast, three Flavours, simultaneously, Wonderful.
The first Chapatti was not a problem, then the internal alarm went off, slow down on the Bread. Towards the end, yet another Powerful Flavour was revealed, the Classic 1960s Curry. This was a Complex Curry, one to savour, one to remember.