Regular subscribers to this Humble and Reliable Website will do a double take when The Hector reports from the Yadgar Cafe (71 Thomas St., Manchester, M4 1LQ, England). The name – Yadgar – is Legendary in Curry-Heute, the Finest of Glasgow Curry. Curry in Manchester’s Northern Quarter is far removed from this, a series of Curry Cafes selling Simple Curry in the most informal of settings, the epitome of – Cheap’n’Cheerful.
The Rice with 3 was first experienced in Hector’s inaugural Manchester Trip, This & That on Soap St. has not enticed The Hector back since. Al Faisal and latterly Kabana is where the Hector Curry Pound has been invested. Yadgar Cafe has often been closed when I have been here, however, with midweek freedom now the norm, the decision to visit was made two days ago as I left Kabana.
Entering around 12.30 four of the eleven tables were occupied. What shocked was the Queue, a Dozen Curry Enthusiasts stood before me, fortunately some were ordering Takeaways. It did take longer to serve these customers, the foil trays being carefully filled first with Rice then their choice of Curry. This gave Hector time to survey the seen. A Lamb Curry was spotted, success. The Chicken Curry was adjacent, to be avoided, my preference. In Interesting Mixed Vegetable Curry was the choice of many. What would be my Third? I asked – what else is there? Kofta Anda was the Surprise addition. Yum.
The Bill
£5.99. This was for a massive plateful.
The table nearest the counter was free, one of the tables with three chairs. In all, Yadgar Cafe can sit thirty two Diners.
Rice with 3 – The Eating
The Lamb Shorva was tackled first. The Lamb instantly gave off a Peppery Kick. It is commendable when the Meat gives off its own Distinct Flavour rather than sit on the plate hoping to absorb from the Masala in what ever short period of time they have been in each other’s company. Six Pieces of Tender Lamb were in the Portion, enough to impress and not distract from the diversity of this Rice with 3.
The Mixed Vegetable Curry included Carrots, Potatoes, Peas, Green Beans and one piece of the dreaded Capsicum. The Carrots gave off their distinctive Sweetness. OK – was the verdict, this did not have the impact of my last Vegetable Curry Experience at Aynams Grill Station and well short of the benchmark set by Glasgow’s Yadgar.
The Kofta Anda was sadly one Meatball and a piece of Hard Boiled Egg. This was still enough to confirm the veracity of the what was served. I would recommend this as a stand alone Dish. With one visit only, one does not know if Kofta is always available at Yadgar Cafe. If so, a definite recommendation. It also makes me want to visit the Sheerin Palace in my home town again soon.
The Masala from both the Vegetable Curry and Lamb Curry disappeared into the ample portion of Rice. This made the entire experience quite a Wet one. In terms of Flavour, the Seasoning was below par, straight forward Pepper was dominant. One is used to a greater Depth of Flavour.
Still, Hector cannot live by Karahi alone.
With nearly every table occupied and people still coming in, the Calling Card was left without comment. There was a Chap who was constantly out clearing and cleaning the tables. Hopefully he passed it on to anyone who might be interested.
Update 2025
Yadgar is no more
Lahori Taste (36 Chapel Hill, Huddersfield, HD1 3EB, England) is next door to the Rat and Ratchet where The Company brought in New Year 2014. We have been regular visitors to this Pub in recent years, especially given the inconsistency of the once wonderful – Grove. Lahori Taste was seen as a Takeaway only. Tonight I spotted chairs and Diners through the steamy windows as we arrived late afternoon. A thought, one day.
Curry-Heute Experiences in Huddersfield have been mixed. The Gurkha Thali was Dreadful, it has gone. LaLa’s at the Station adjacent to the statue of Harold Wilson was as good as a Bradford Curry. LaLa’s is a Formal Restaurant, alcohol, hot and cold running waiters, Lahori Taste is at the other end of the market. This is where The Hector prefers to be, how else can I afford to eat out so often?
Permission to take the Photo was granted. I thought that taking The Chaps might be a step too far. They were particularly friendly, indeed everyone who passed though these premises whilst we were there had a smile for us. Spot – The Tourists!
A Modest Salad and Dips made an appearance on the table. Then came – The Moment. One knows, immediately. Quality Karahi speaks to The Hector before it is tackled. The Vapour rising from the Karahi made photography difficult. I had to take photos of Steve’s Karahi too, just to increase the chances of capturing this Visual Feast. Look at the size of The Portion! As good as a Half Kilo? With a strip of ample Chapatti in hand, here we go…
The – Wow! – was instantaneous. A Curry to note, forever. The Seasoning was pitched correctly, it was there. Where was The Methi? No Methi? I heard Mein Host give the instruction. Ah, The Methi… Hector was in that Special Place, Curry Heaven. Knock on the table.
Steve was in raptures also. Hector was too busy eating to record every quote.
The Aloo Gosht was plated as is the norm. Mags too had been given a Treat.
I knew when you asked that you knew your Curry – he remarked. There had to be a Staff Photo. Ahmed is in the middle. We like Ahmed. We love the Lahori Taste. We shall be back, with more people. May 2016? Before? If only it was not the Penistone Line that connects Sheffield with Huddersfield.
Hector awoke to find a text from an irate Man from Bradford. Burgers are not his thing – Exact location and time for dinner curry please. The reply was simple – 
From the Central Arena Travelodge it was a five minute walk to the bottom of Cheetamhill Rd. The 135 Bus is frequent, Hector was at the
The lights in the main Dining Rom were not on yet. Hector was greeted by a Chef who provided the illumination and let me have the choice of tables in the empty room. A First. I told him I was expecting Company and so he let me sit whist I waited, and waited.
The Half Kilo of Lamb Karahi on-the-bone was a mere £9.50 on the Lunchtime Menu. For once, Boneless Lamb was more than on-the-bone at £10.50. I have often wondered why many venues charge more for the privilege of Less Meat. A Single Roti (50p) would accompany, more than enough Bread this early in the day. A Naan was only 80p. A Can of Lemonade (70p) was also ordered, then another. There was no sign currently of the controversial Water Bottles for which one was expected to pay. No Sparkling Water either, unforgivable.
Some may be put off by the visible Oil, how else can this Masala be created? Actually, in a variety of ways given the various finishes on offer. Olive Oil is Rich, perhaps in the extreme, certainly so for this time of day. This simpler interpretation was Ghee-based Hector believes. The Buttery Flavour from the Thick Masala suggested so. No need to count the pieces of Tender Lamb, more than a man needs. How many Bones? Three, this left a Mass of Meat. Never mind counting, keep eating, Savour The Moment! The Masala had the level of Seasoning which Hector believes should be mandatory in all Curry Dishes. No Seasoning = No Flavour at all. The Spice Level was never discussed at the time of ordering, no need. The Spice was such that nobody would have been troubled, sufficient to titillate the Hector Palate.
This was truly Wonderful, the – Wow – was self-evident. The Joy of Lahori Cuisine.
Mein Host introduced himself, Mr. Nauman Ali. Hector also revealed his true Moniker. The conversation continued. The attitudes of People to Curry and Restaurateurs to their customers was the core of the conversation. The people who are misinformed as to what – Curry – and even – Karahi – is. There was mutual outrage at the inclusion of Capsicum, what is this Ballast doing in any Dish from the Indian Subcontinent, it’s a plant from The New World. That some need to have alcohol with Curry was discussed at length. Nauman admitted that Restaurants which are licensed are as interested in profits from booze as they are the food. Also, and more worrying, an attitude of – once they’ve had Lager, you can give them anything. There is no such distraction at 
The Man from Bradford was pestering The Hector from the moment we found each other at The Manchester Beer Festival – when and where would be – The Curry?
The road was dug up in all directions, indeed Manchester is pretty much dug up with tramlines being realigned. Trams, in the UK?
In 
The Fish Karahi did not look to be Wonderful, little sense of Karahi.
Overwhelmed by spice, masking the flavour. 
The Lamb Karahi did look the part, the Thicker Masala, well certainly Thicker than the Shorva served in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. I had asked for – Extra Methi – this had been included. The Fresh Coriander Topping was the obvious Herb. The Seasoning and Kick were Fine. The not-excessive Masala had a good Oil Base. The Lamb was mostly Tender, one or two rubbery bits. One kept waiting for the – Wow – the back of the throat was where this occurred, unusual. At least this was a Lamb Curry with Methi as opposed to Saag. It was nearly there, by no means poor, again one had hoped for Better.
The Kulcha Naans were Poor. Far too soft, no seeds, were they in fact Kulcha?
Howard had given me a heads up about the Lamb Chops, they did indeed look good. Hector needed Rice as Ballast given what would follow this mid afternoon Lunch-Dinner. Biryani was offered. Lamb Chops and Biryani it was. Rizwan asked if I wished Curry Sauce on the Biryani – No, just The Chops.
Four Good Sized Lamb Chops sat atop the Chicken Biryani. Spiced Onion and a Modest Salad had been placed on the side of the Rice. This still looked a wee bit Peely Wally and so I took it back up to the counter to add The Toppings – Diced Ginger, Chopped Green Chillies and Fresh Coriander. Much Better. It was.
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.
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.
The Bill
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