Monday Lunch in Poznan, one may as well travel out to Malta Lake for Curry-Heute, Piwa o’clock is not an early event. Last October Marg and Hector walked the length of the Lake which lies East of Poznan, Steve and Louise arrived by taxi. We returned to town by taxi when the heavens opened – Rainy Taxi (Up the Downstair – Porcupine Tree), Hector is still buzzing after Steven Wilson last night, and a certain Football Score. Today, Hector was able to take Tram 8 from the bottom of his street at Sala Ziemi to the nearest tram stop, still a kilometre to walk.
Taj India (Wiankowa 3, Poznan, Polska ) is located above the Boat House at the far end of Malta Lake, to describe the Decor as Ornate would be understatement. This is a Classic Indian Restaurant, they also serve Large Portions.
It was 13.40 when I arrived, the Restaurant opens every day at Noon and stays open, as all Good Curry Houses should. I was shown to a table opposite the counter, from here I could see how busy the Waitress was, and how little help she received from the other Staff. The Maitre d’ was behind the counter, a Lady too, why not serve instead of just smiling? I had to wait for the Menu, and even longer to order. The Waitress kept acknowledging me, she was doing her best. Why did the others just stand there?
What to have?
Fish Vindaloo (29 Zl) and Achari Lamb (39 Zl) were considered. Fish cheaper than Lamb, not in the UK. Boiled Rice comes Gratis with each Main, still Subji Pilao (8 Zl) or Aloo Paratha (10 Z
l) are on the Menu for a reason.
Bhuna Gosht (37 Zl) was the order having agreed no Paprika. The Subji Pilao was ordered too, I managed to convince the Waitress not to bring the Boiled Rice too. Mango Lassi (8 Zl) and Sparkling Water (5 Zl) both 200ml measures proved to be much needed distractions whilst I waited.
A Bollywood Movie was on the TV, the sound broadcast around the Restaurant. The Movie ended, the sound continued, another Movie started, seamless. In what are essentially Silent Movies dubbed with a Soundtrack, what difference did it make?
The miming, the Wicked Uncle, adverts, and so it went on.
Subji Pilao
There was enough Rice to feed the 500. Peas, Carrots, Tinned Mushrooms – ugh! The Rice varied in Temperature, some was Warm enough, some decidedly not.
Bhuna Gosht
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
59.00 Zl (£10.50) The £ goes further in Polska.
The Aftermath
Another day to myself, the time to sample a few new Biers, and catch up with all this Blogging.
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!
Najadacze (Nozownicza 40, 50-147 
Kofta (17 Zl) and a Sparkling Water (4 Zl) would form my Breakfast/Lunch. It was now 13.40, I had been waiting for the rain to stop.
I could have been given anything, what came was a feast. The Kofta was accompanied by Assorted Salad-like Distractions.
Initially, the three Kofta were considered to be the Weakest part of the Melange. They had been freshly made, they were Light, without Meat, lacking. Apart from Air, Cumin dominated. The Kofta improved with the infusion of the Chilli Dip, or was it a Tomato Dip.
The Menu was provided. Mutton Palak (45 Zl) was considered, especially the chance to eat Goat. The thought of the Standard Creamy Spinach version did not appeal. Paneer Palak (32 Zl), let’s avoid Cheese, 
A Shorba with Lamb and Onions by any other name. The Lamb was Too Chewy, the Texture was what I can describe as European, wrong. How do they achieve these Cubes of Meat, is it the Butchers? This was very much a Standard Euro-Curry, the overall Flavour approaching Bisto, Gravy rather than Masala. Imagine the disgust when one Piece of Ballast was unearthed.
Indian Buffet #4
The Waitress who was by now dealing with me exclusively, came over to ask the Customary Question.
It was on a Favoured Social Medium that Hector first encountered a seemingly new Glasgow Southside Venue 
The Handi Gosht was tempting, however they require forty minutes notice to prepare this, or as I have come to appreciate at nearby 
Lamb Chops Masala Karhi (£9.95) – too soon, let’s see what their Basics are like. Many Dishes tempted, Desi Karahi Gosht (£8.99) on-the-bone is what I had hoped for on entering the premises, here it was. A Plain Paratha (£2.70) would accompany.
The Calling Card was given this early, I felt I had to justify the photos. Ambala seats around fifty, the tables are separated by partitions, the painting of which is ongoing. Two Dips were provided at the start, but as I ordered nothing to accompany them, I wondered. Leave them alone. I now had five Fellow Diners, a Ridiculously Large Bowl of Ice Cream was presented to one. Methinks Marg may be happy here. A glass was provided for the Mango Rubicon (£1.10), the wait was over.
Those who have read these pages previously will know that this is a Classic Hector Curry. Topped with a forest of Fresh Coriander Leaves, the Masala Mash on the surface appeared a bit Watery initially, with the Oily Residue collecting around the periphery. This is how it is, enough Moisture, no more. There appeared to be Loads of Lamb, more Meat than I have eaten in the last couple of weeks. Some of the Lamb had gone to Pulp, the Texture of the Majority was Sound. The Seasoning was right on the limit of acceptable, the Spice Level was Perfect for Hector, others may have been taken by surprise.
There was a New Flavour, something that would make this standout out from The Mainstream. Mr. Arshad at 
Fun was had. The Hector was sated.
r. Stan and Eleanor enjoyed Hospitality at 
There is Aloo Gobi served Desi-style in Favourite Venues. This was too Sweet, and an Unhealthy looking Red.
Which should come first, the Keema or the Aloo? Topped with Liberal, Fresh Coriander, this most Simple of Curry Dishes is ironic for one brought up in the West of Scotland. Without the Spice, this is Marg’s Favourite Meal. With the Spice, Curry! There was a Significant Kick today.
The Meat appeared to be Chicken, Yay! Who was caring? The Dish was Very Dry with minimal Oil residue, the Antithesis of Curry served in 
Hector had two Dishes picked out. The Outstanding Roshan Lal (£9.95) has been enjoyed here on a few occasions. On a previous visit my Tweak was denied – It’s already in. The Karahi Gosht (£7.45) is a worthy fallback. Danial summoned Imran, Mein Host declared it was nonsense to state that the Roshan Lal was not available without Capsicum. QED. A Plain Paratha (£2.50) would accompany, Parathas at Akbar’s are Special.
Important!
We are here – To Dine
A Portion is Four, or Three by the time Marg has invaded my territory. The Three Portions arrived, Tracy sent hers back momentarily, they were decidedly underdone. Very seasoned– said Marg of her stolen Chop. The three Chops were Well-seasoned, the Spice on the tip of the tongue had – The Wow. When Tracy’s much improved Chops were returned – Very tasty when well fired. Marg received two Chapatis. All was well.
The Minimal Masala, the fact that the Spinach is strewn through the Meat, rather than the Dark Green Mass, made this Dish appealing even to The Hector. One day. Tracy enjoyed her selection – Absolutely tasty, I’m looking forward to breakfast tomorrow. Indeed, the Portions are deceptive, Doggy Bag required.
This looks like a 
This I consider to be 
The Chapatis had Coffee (£2.50), The Chaps had other Liquids. Doggy Bags were arranged. Hector admits to adding some of his to Marg’s not dissimilar Dish. We had one full Karahi and one Empty Karahi at the end. The Portions at 
The Aftermath
Lamb Chops Balti (£17.99), only in Aberdeen. Hector has not had his Lamb Chops infusion for how long? When the Lottery Ticket comes up, perhaps, meanwhile one cannot help equate this to two Bradford Servings. Back in the Real World, Handi Masala Lamb (£11.99) was a more realistic prospect.
Hector!
Shri Bheema’s is doing well as an operation. Anitha contacted me later to give more information on their new branches in England.
The Makwali Fish Curry was Classic Fish Curry in a Strange Coloured Masala that surely must contain Coconut, Hector would never have ordered this. The Chicken Biryani came with some Masala and a second Dip, the British way. Chicken Biryani
Margery Sr. enjoyed the Fish – The fish was pleasant to eat. Marg had more to say – The fish was sweeter than I expected, very light and tasty. I took their word for it. I had the Hector Curry.
For reasons that remain unexplained, the Chicken Biryani was divvied on to two plates and a considerable quantity of Rice left in the bowl. The remnants were never touched despite Margery Sr. saying she could eat more. The Chicken Biryani was a great success.
This Dish has been thoroughly enjoyed on previous occasions. Marg once described it as the Best Curry she has ever had in Aberdeen, nothing to live up to then. My 
With just enough space to peel off the covers, once again The Main was a Triple, Rice in the Middle, separating Aloo Bhindi and a Bean Daal. I’m a prisoner at 30,000ft, I shall eat the Daal. There was a Small Chapatti to mop up as required.
A Salad!