Aynams Grill Station (77-83 Eglinton Street, Glasgow, G5 9NT), Hector had to come back for Curry-Hopefully. The first visit was in November after I had been made aware that despite the – Grill Station – moniker, Desi Curry was on offer. That I ended up with a Spicy Fish Supper may have been amusing but not what the Hector ordered.
At 16.00 in the afternoon, there was one Chap finishing his sit-in meal, the Spicy Fish. Three pre-cooked Desi Dishes were on display under the counter. A Dark Chana creation was not attractive to the Hector Palate. Mein Host described the Chicken Dish as – Jalfrezi. The Drumsticks may have been turned into – Lollipops – given the bone protrusion from the flesh. The Rich, Brown, Masala looked inviting, however The Hector was not about to accept this Dish when there was another more palatable offering. Also, the Jalfrezi had Large Pieces of the Offending Ballast mixed through, no thank you.
You thought I was having Lamb Desi?
The final Dish was a Thick Melange of Vegetables. No Meat was obvious, I had to ask. A Vegetable Curry indeed, no problem. With Chapatti please. A Portion was removed and taken to the kitchen, at this point one always fears – The Ding.
There was no obvious clue as to what I would be charged. The various Kebap offerings were illustrated above the counter. Had I grabbed a Menu all would have been revealed. I decided to maintain the air of suspense.
Mein Host brought a Worthy Portion of the Vegetable Curry and two Large, Fluffy Chapattis. Piping Hot, the Chapattis were Absolute Perfection. The Girth, ah the Girth. Consider the Minimalist Chapattis that are served at so many venues, and at stupid prices.
No Cutlery
With two Chapattis, not a problem to start out, but there would be a point when I would struggle. My Fellow Diner came to my assistance. A Fork, he hadn’t used his.
Desi
The Benchmark Vegetable Curry is that served at Yadgar. Had The Chef bought the entire tray at Yadgar and brought it to these premises I would have believed it. If this was potentially a Clone then the clearly the Quality was there. Large pieces of Potato stood out, with smaller pieces of Carrot, Cauliflower, Green Beans, Peas and Sweetcorn in a Onion and Tomato Mash. Splendid. Wonderful. Excellent. Outstanding. How does one achieve such Depth of Flavour when limited to Vegetables? The Seasoning was Significant, the Kick became more apparent as the Dish was consumed. The Oily Base to The Mash was apparent, the Fresh Coriander Blast. Is the message loud and clear? Thank you, Curryspondent Archie for the tip-off, see you on April 30 if not before.
The Bill
£5.00. Everyone can afford this.
The Aftermath
Mein Host, a Quiet Man, may have remembered me. He would have been aware of the photos. Early days. A Curry Cafe open all afternoon, Hector will be back, hopefully for some Lamb. I mentioned this to Mein Host, he called to the kitchen, nearly.
Update – August 2018
The premises appear to be closed.
The Tender Lamb was spread across half of the Special Rice, Double Figures! Curryspondent John expressed his annoyance at receiving a handful of Meat Morsels a while back, the risk of the Lunchtime Curry. We had dismissed that Menu and asked for a la Carte. I suspect sometimes the Chefs are not given clear instruction
for the Larger Portion. Today I am sure I heard our Waitress relay – Large. What felt like enough Sauce was spooned over the Lamb. The Residue was then dipped with more Naan. This all felt quite alien, not the The Hector Curry of 2016.
Mother immediately remarked on the (Large) Quantity of Boiled Rice which arrived. When the Waitress suggested she take the Rice Plate as her dining plate, she was bemused. The temperature of both plates was checked, a Mother Obsession, all plates must be Hot! No further remark, we got away with it.
The Lamb Lahori Kirahi looked Splendid. Again, I could see a Decent Lamb Content, Meat shrouded in a Thick and Minimal Masala. I shall have to come back to reacquaint myself, the Half Kilo?
Although Elaine enjoyed her Karahi she admitted that she has little to compare it to. Having been to India twice, she knows Authentic Cuisine, maybe this is not available in Fife? The Fresh Ginger Strips were noted, Elaine had only previously experienced this in East Asian Cuisine. In Glasgow, this is Standard.
This left The Hector to bring up the rear. The Lamb Karahi (£5.85) was described as – Lamb cooked in a rich pepper sauce. Did this mean a Masala made from 
It did not disappoint at all, creamy with a kick. By the time she had finished this Rich Dish the prospect of the Methi Keema Mutter became daunting, even though the pot was not filled to the top as it has been previously. The photographic proof is on a well known and reliable 
In all five pieces of 
This was nothing like the superb Dish that has been served on these premises in the decade or more of visits. A Watery Soup with Fish. I could not bring The Man from Bradford here. This was Spicier than the Karahi but still Und
er-seasoned, in a Fish Curry, how? Where was the Citrus, the Herbs, that I have been hit with on every visit, the Blast of Flavours, the joy of the Machi Massala? Gone. No more?
As Dry as a Keema should be, this had the Methi Blast, the Flavour, the Seasoning, the Kick. Success.
Whilst April this year may be the exception, the rule is that a trip to the 
Hector was attempting to attain – full flow – Lamb Karahi on-the-bone Extra… No… – when Qaser gestured towards Rashid in the open kitchen – He knows. Similarly, for Mags it would be Aloo Gosht, her Favourite Curry, anywhere, though she was distracted 
Two Lamb Chops each, three would have been better, four a feast.. but one must do justice to what follows. The Chops took a while to arrive but were worth the wait. Succulent, Burny Bits, and larger than those served in the aforementioned 
The first dip of the Superb Chapatti into the Oily Mash, if this is how one likes one’s Curry, then this is it… The Toppings of Fresh Green Chilies, Coriander and Ginger Strips add The Flourish. The Seasoning was on the limit, the Methi was to the fore, the Spice added to the overall Intensity. Just how I was attempting to order it. For Hector, the Tender Lamb this evening was all Lamb Chops, same as The Starter? No way. An entirely different affair, these had never seen the Tandoor. The Dark Green/Black Methi Bits, the Mash of Onion and Tomato was – oh so perfect.
Meanwhile across the table – I’m not impressed.
Yvonne was collecting a pile of bones on the edge of her plate. Both she and Craig had ordered Rice as accompaniment. When the first plate arrived, Craig thought it was to share, not so. How much Rice can people be expected to eat? Yvonne prefers Boneless Lamb, this was The Full Bhuna. Actually, had this been to served to Hector I would have made comment on the Thinness of the Masala, and Old Fashioned Blended Onion – Soupy/Oily Masala.
This must be how Mags loves it. We were both enjoying our Respective Creations – Divine – was how the moment was summarised. Meanwhile, across the table, Craig was in pain…
New Kismet Tandoori (311 Drumry Rd, Drumchapel, Glasgow, G15 8PA) is Hector’s local Takeaway, visits appear to be on the increase from the decidedly sporadic. Mein Host has become more familiar such that I dare ask for a photo. He is well aware of this Blog so care is taken in the preparation of the order. No Peppers – was repeated twice when it came time to create The Hector Curry.
The Taste of the Lamb was the first thing to hit home, I love this! The standard background Flavour of the House Masala was next to register, then the Methi Blast hit home. The Seasoning and Spice Levels were Fine. The Masala was far from – Soup, but more excessive than is my preference. Still, Most Satisfying. This is Hector’s First Glasgow Curry of 2016, Bradford and Sheffield have just been visited, the highest of Standards. No way was this Curry as Wonderful as what was served in Yorkshire, however, it packed a Suitable Punch, Flavoursome for a Mainstream Takeaway Outlet, better even.
Marg dined out wi’ her pals, but not before the photo captured The Moment.
The Pakora did suffer as a result of the reheating, the Gram Flour went a bit firm. I can make my own and if the
With Chapatti in hand the Fish Karahi was tackled. Wetter than would be served down the road at 
Craig and Yvonne thoroughly enjoyed their first Karachi Experience.
The Keema Spinach Korma did look – Soupy. I doubt if Ricky or Hector would ever order this Dish, but it is available for those who desire it. Ricky’s Mum polished it off. She was intent on comparing it to 
The Chef acknowledged us as we departed. No need to give the Calling Card. More famous people than Hector have visited 
The Waitress who had shown us to our table returned to take the order, Doris #1. Marg surprised me by ordering Kofta (£7.50) and her usual Chapatti. I may have planted Kofta in her mind by suggesting our first Bradford Curry of 2016 should be at Karachi where this Dish first appeared in the Curry Capital. It was now time for The Hector to order. I pointed to the Blue Banner at the end of The Menu – I’ll have this one!
Lamb, on-the-bone, Thick, Dry Masala, Methi…. at this point Doris #1 stopped – I’ll have to get someone else. Welcome, Doris #2.
First Impressions? Perfect!
I took my time, to enjoy, digest. The Chapattis were disappearing rapidly so I stopped eating and order another Chapatti.
Finally, I acknowledged The Chefs, after all, they had cooked The Hector Curry, it was Magnificent.
Maggie and Clive were still hungry. Maggie headed across the street to their Kebap House from last night. Wicker is on our radar. We know where to come next time. For Hector, next time is March, a four night stay. How many visits to 
New Year was brought in at the Shakespeare, Sheffield. The advantage of being outside our native Scotland is that in the daylight part of Ne’er Day the Pubs are open! The Kelham Island Tavern was where The Company re-assembled after the excesses of the night before. This evening we found ourselves back at the Shakespeare, Craig and Yvonne were heading for Curry-Heute at the 7 Spices Balti (Mayfair Court, 120 Gibraltar St, Sheffield S3 8PP). Mags and Dr. Stan accompanied. Some twenty minutes later Howard and Tracey joined Marg and Hector to complete another table for four. Jonathan arrived thereafter, three of The Company did not have Curry-Heute, to their sorrow. Kebap.
Hector first set foot in Sheffield twenty years ago and by 1998 was a regular visitor, especially to The Fat Cat. Pale Rider was the King of Ales, the Floods of 2007 saw the end of that. Thornbridge’s Jaipur took over the mantle of Best Ale, ever, we were here regularly. Jaipur lost its Mojo and so the quality of Sheffield Pubs is what maintains. During the Halcyon Days there was Curry taken in Sheffield, all pre-Curry-Heute. Sahib was the stand out, plus a Comedy Curry House (they once tried to serve our Mains before the Starter) at the base of a hotel which was being demolished, imminently. It may well still stand. The site of Sahib was passed by last night, venue not seen. Bradford is the Curry Mecca, as a consequence the coverage of Curry this far south in Yorkshire has been neglected, but no more.
The Mains
Tracey’s Chicken Masala (?) looked tempting. Yes, Hector has written these words. It is years since the fabled Chicken Tikka Masala has crossed my lips, this looked worthy. Tracey’ verdict:
Howard had a few well chosen words to say about his Balti Lamb Aloo.
In his younger days he worked in Mayfair and served many a Celebrity. Telly Savalas and his Brother with their entire Cohort. Larry Hagman (I Dream of Jeannie) gave a $100 tip, good until he noticed it had JR as The Featured Photo. However, one name impressed more than any other – William Shatner – aka Captain James Tiberius Kirk. #Denny Crane.
The White Board listed today’s Menu. For £5.95 one could choose any Curry with two included Chapattis or Rice (or Chips!). Knowing that Curry would feature again on this trip, Marg chose an alternative a – Chicken and Spinach Wrap (£3.20). As soon as Achari was spotted this was enough for Hector. A Meat Achari for Hector and Meat Spinach for Ricky. Craig and Yvonne both chose Chicken Bhuna. Craig took the Pilau Rice option, Seven Chapatis to accompany for the rest, Ricky needed his Third Chapatti incurring a further charge of 50p. Not the £1.95 for a Chapatti in Aberdeen.
When Craig decanted his Chicken Bhuna on top of the Rice, the Portion was Substantial. Ricky and Hector both ate from the Bowl. The Lamb was cut Bradford Small. The Grey-Green Masala was Thinner than that associated with the Classic Bradford Curry Houses, however – The Flavour! I have been trying to secure an Achari of note for weeks. 
This was it, an amazing Blast of Pickle. This is what The Hector Palate required to kick-start the day. Excellent Curry.
The Chicken Bhunas looked Decent, for Chicken Curry. Delicious– said Craig of his specially prepared Mild Curry. Just the right heat, medium to hot – said Yvonne. Where’s my calendar? – asked Ricky.
New Year will be brought in at Sheffield, Bradford lies en route, Curry at the 
The Man from Bradford then thought about informing us that he wished to join us. Too late, our Poppadoms, Modest Salad and Dips were on the table, we were dining.
Chapattis would accompany both Dishes, three each, included in the price. This is The Bradford Way, the Antithesis of Aberdeen.
From the first dip of the Chapatti Hector knew he was in Bradford. There is nothing like the Flavour that the Chefs of this City create. A Tad Under-seasoned would be the only criticism, but with The Bradford Curry Taste in the face there could be no complaint. This is Wonderful Curry. With almost every piece of meat on-the-bone, this Dish was not wolfed down, great care, protect the gnashers, especially as The Dentist of Hector now reads these pages.
Marg had Six Chops in her Lamb Chops Tikka Balti. She missed the burnt bits, these may have been smothered by the Masala. As with Hector’s Balti, the Masala was as Thick as Masala can be. Two Baltis, demolished.