Hector finds himself back in Sheffield, yay. On January 2nd, Marg and Hector first encountered the Lahori Dhera (51-53 Wicker, Sheffield, S3 8HT, England), Outstanding Curry was served, the welcome was Legendary, there had to be a return.
Arriving a couple of hours before Dr. Stan, there was the opperchancity to see the street called Wicker in daylight. Our brief visit in January revealed this short stretch of Sheffield to be a hive of Diverse Cuisine.
Around 16.00 there was not much activity, most venues would open later, or would they? Still, Hector may find non-Curry for lunch in the coming days, The Company will no doubt have plans for the evening, I hope.
Dr. Stan and Hector arrived back at Lahori Dhera at 18.03, it was closed. The signage said 18.00 opening, The Hector had to phone. We could see two Chefs working inside, one answered. There would be no serving staff until 18.30. By this time we were waving to each other. Laters.
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 Lahori Dhera and solve the problem. Shakespeare, a Hostelry, was a five minute walk away, time for Ale.
Two Ales later we returned to Lahori Dhera. The ground floor was empty, I knew to lead Dr. Stan upstairs. With many reserved tables we took our seats at the window. The Waiter brought the Menu and a couple of Dips. Determined to invoke The Curry Heute Test, I was determined to once again order off-Menu and repeat the Stunning Curry served on January 2nd. I showed The Waiter a photo on a well known and reliable Curry Blog – Is this Chap on duty this evening?
Moments later Mein Host came up the stairs, Hector was remembered, the order was accepted.
Lamb, on-the-bone, Thick, Dry Masala, Methi, and no Capsicum. A Plain Paratha (£2.50) would accompany. The next part of the story is uncanny. Dr. Stan had mentioned Kofta (£7.50), he was determined. This is what Marg ordered on January 2nd. The entire meal would be recreated. This evening, however, we would not be joined by Lord Clive and Lady Maggie of Crawley. Two Chapattis (50p) would be Dr. Stan’s Bread. Mein Host was keen to tell us about the imminent arrival of a boxer with his belt. This was lost on us. Still, this is where Celebrities congregate.
With the open kitchen downstairs, we could see all the Food being brought up by The Waiter.
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 portfolio of Dishes at Lahori Dhera, especially when the song remained the same at our table.
Deja Vu, all over again
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.
The Paratha was Perfect. The Layers were revealed when torn apart. Served whole too, as it should be. Dr. Stan had a nibble, this Paratha was almost consumed in its entirety, unheard of.
Dr. Stan asked – Is there Methi in it?
Oh yes.
There was a Slight Sweetness to the Dish, even more Methi required? Tomato was more evident in the Masala than Onion. Was this as Guru Bill says of the Yadgar Masala, a Tomato only Masala? Whatever, the final Hector Note was – Wow!
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.
Takes me back to faggots when I was a boy. Did Dr. Stan attend Eaton? (sic)
A Modest Salad accompanied The Mains. Dr. Stan demolished this whilst he waited for The Hector to extract the last Meat from the Bones. Wow!
The Bill
The Waiter brought The Bill, there was no tally, downstairs. This let us engage with Mein Host once more. £18.50. Gosh!
The Aftermath
I related the 18.03 story to Mein Host, he chuckled and translated it to The Chef. Best not to arrive at Wicker dead on Opening Time. My photo of Mein Host today is poor, I told him that my kitchen shots in January were not up to standard. I was invited to go into the kitchen. The Hector did not have to be asked twice.
We’ll be back.
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.
It’s not unusual for Hector to have Curry twice in one day whilst in Bradford, it is what The Locals eat. After a pleasant evening at the Bradford Beer Festival in Saltaire, Craig and Yvonne declared their intention to join Hector at the 
What are you having? – Howard asked The Hector. Lamb Massala on-the-bone (£8.50) with Extra Methi please, Chapattis. Howard followed, he likes Hector Curry. For a change, Mags ordered Aloo Gosht on-the-bone, that’s her Favourite Curry and her Standard for Comparisons.
There was a large table of Chaps seated towards the window, Sadaqat dealt with them leaving a new Young Waiter to deal with us. As they left, so Sadaqat set up another large setting on the opposite side of the room, a large family was expected. The 
The Lamb Massala and the Aloo Gosht came in plates. This is quite a novelty given the usual Karahi or other Metal Pots one encounters. There was no need to decant to a dining plate. One could study the Dishes and count the Bones, there were a lot. Still, there was more than enough eating to be done here.
The Lamb Massala had more Oil and more Masala than is served in a Karahi. Not as Dry therefore as some Bradford Curry Dishes, but still far removed from the Dreaded Soup. The Bradford Taste was present though was not as intense as it can be. The Palate had already experienced this today at 
A Pile of Twelve Chapattis had been placed in the middle of the table. Hector could not stop himself doing a quick sum. In Aberdeen this could cost £35.40, not that we would have ordered Twelve. As ever, I managed One and a Half. They’re only flour and water – Yvonne reminded us.
The Bill
£48.15. Five Diners, sated. We could have asked for a 10% CAMRA Discount, but would that be fair? I know a Man who does.
Normally The Hector has 
The Menu revealed all, a single page devoted to Curry. Meat (Mutton) Karahi (£7.95) contained the Unwelcome Ballast, I could not be bothered making my usual point. The Meat (Mutton) Bhuna (£7.45) claimed to be – Dry – that swung it. The Waiter returned in good time, – Hotter than Medium – was noted, Two Chapattis to accompany. The price of a Chapatti was unknown, were they inclusive, as up to four can be, or …. One thing was certain, a single Chapatti would not be
Piping Hot, the Bhuna was more Oily than a Karahi, or any other Bradford Curry for that matter. The Tomatoes sitting atop were cooked, just, and so were not Pulp. The Ghee was a Blast when these were taken in. Hector can tolerate this Quantity of Oil, once in a while.
Once again Mark has tempted Hector out for a Sunday Curry Brunch. We had both starved ourselves all day in anticipation of a Curry Feast, but where? Mark’s decision was – if the 
The 
It is Stunning. A Methi laden Keema, served as Dry as Hector seeks his Curry. The Bread was Light, slightly Puffy, with a subtle Sweetness. The quantity of Mince today looked more than has been served previously. It is just as well we were sharing. One could have eaten this and left, contented. But no, we had more Curry to come.
The Lamb was served on-the-bone, a mixture of Sucky Bones and Lamb Chops. I feel I have written this but a few hours ago. Quality Lamb, Tender. There was a lot of it, again a Larger Portion than I recall receiving in previous visits. It is the Masala that makes this Dish. Is this not what distinguishes all Curry Dishes? 
The Masala was Thick, Dry, the Methi mixed through to give the required level of Bitterness. Mark was impressed by the Intensity of the Flavour. The Spice and Seasoning were at the Peak of Normal. I explained my sporadic visits to this venue. One could not eat this every day, it is too Intense. But when one is here, how can Lamb Gurmeet be resisted?
Taking the photo of the exterior I did not spot the banner for the Buffet, cooked to order.