Somebody, somewhere suggested a trip to Bradford. It was not Hector, but Hector could not sign up quick enough. Would Our Man in Bradford actually be in the country? He said so. And so RickFest 2015 was born.
Six of The Company came south today via the Carlisle-Settle Railway. Just how can it take so long to travel such a short distance? How can it cost so much to travel such a short distance? A Group Ticket to Bradford? No such thing exists. One day the UK will model its train ticketing along Deutsche Bahn lines.
Bier was a feature of the afternoon, Dr. Stan and Ricky retreated, Robin went back to t’Travelodge, as predicted, The New Karahi Palace Four went for Curry-Heute. The International (Morley St, Bradford, BD 1BA) was the Curry House of Outstanding Quality nearest to the Sir Titus Salt. Sources, including our own Rickmeister, have planted seeds that this venue may no longer be what it was. The welcome was warm. Khalid and Ali were on duty as ever, no sign of Mr. Bashir, though the Young Pretender was in –The Spot – behind the counter. He came over eventually and confirmed the memory of our first meeting. All was well, so far.
Poppadoms and Dips were brought by a younger waiter, The Menu had to be studied. Craig and Yvonne had to be reminded that the laminated A3 sheet is double sided. Mags was up for her usual Aloo Gosht but was reticent when it came to fine tuning. If she desired tweaks, she should ask. Lamb and Potato Balti was how The Menu had it, and so it was. Yvonne surprised us all by declaring Krahi King Prawn Masala, where did that come from? Having seen Mags and Yvonne enjoy their Aloo Gosht so much on Saturday at the New Karahi Palace, it was Lamb and Potato Balti for Craig too, but toned down. Now for The Hector Curry.
The Desi Dishes on The Menu occupy their own place in the middle of The Menu. Outstanding Curry has been selected from here, time to try another variation. I asked Ali how many Chops came with the Krahi Lahore Lamb Chops. Four was the answer. This is not how Hector has tallied the Chops here previously. Seven Chops? OK, eight, the Double Portion was ordered. Four sounded like a Starter.
At 22.00, The International was not over busy. An hour or so until the pubs closed. Curry after closing time? This is such a rarity in The Company, at this time.
He loves it – was Yvonne’s report on Craig’s progress. Craig was siting two to my left, I could only watch. Craig’s Lamb and Potato Balti disappeared in record time. Craig had accepted Chapattis too, no Rice. Twelve Chapattis had been served, three Inclusive Chapattis with every Portion, this is how it should be. Mags enjoyed her’s too, but made comparison to the New Karahi Palace’s superiority, despite her not asking for the Dish to be served exactly how she likes it.
Yvonne enjoyed her Krahi King Prawn Masala, and some. The prawns are gorgeous, absolutely outstanding. The is – Wow – honestly brilliant. I don’t recall Curry-Heute ever recording such a positive set of comments from Yvonne.
Krahi Lahore Lamb Chops
Indulgence? Absolutely! Hector had been in Bradford for some seven hours without Curry. The possibility of a Late Lunch could have staved off what appears here. After the Ritual Photos were completed, Hector found he was unable to commence The Feast. Everything was Hotter than Everything Else. Chops have to be handled, this was impossible, The Masala equally so when dipped with the Chapatti. Time to admire the Ample Karahi, the Masala Mash was comparable to that served at the New Karahi Palace, Thick, Minimal, so Hector uses the same Benchmark. I had asked for Methi, Fresh or Dry, to be sprinkled on top at the point of serving, this hadn’t happened. So, Pure Bradford Curry it was, as it came, Luxurious in appearance.
The Chops were Larger than served in many venues, there was a lot to get through. The slightly Chewy nature of The Chops was the clue to them being Tandoori Chops as opposed to Tender. Which is better? Both have their merits, maybe Tender is more Authentic, but Lamb Chops? – come on…Superb any way. I was glad I had missed Lunch, no way could I have been up to my elbows in this otherwise.
The Bill
£43.40. This was paid in Fifths.
The Aftermath
Hector has had photos taken with Khalid and Ali, this time I invited Ali to take our Photo. Obliging as ever.
The International has been criticised by Others in recent times, but not by This Company who cannot find any drop in standards.
Omar brought two Hot Poppadoms and the Spiced Onions. Sometimes the Pre-Starters can be filling, pace required. Behold – The Fish. This is all for Hector, ridiculous! Normally two would share this, who was complaining? There should be Posters of the 
The surface had a Baked Crust of Herbs and Spice, underneath lay the Freshest of Haddock. One could eat this then leave. Indeed, this followed by the 
Feast the eyes. This is not simply some Vegetables stirred into Plain Basmati and served, this has Class, and needless to say – Flavour. It is ages since I have had this as Goshat Karahi et al lend themselves to Chapattis. Cauliflower, Peas and Potatoes are in abundance. When the Lamb and Turnip was spread on top so yet another Vegetable. I had a brief moment of alarm when I surveyed how relatively little Meat I had before me, this is what I wanted? Could Hector turn Vegetarian, is the Chicken Curry a matter of days away? Calm.
The
The Bill
Hector’s favourite Band of all time is CAN, from K
With Jonathan on my right and Marg on my left, we were treated to over an hour of Steve Hackett Solo Album Tracks. The Tour is entitled from Acolyte to Wolflight, the only two Steve Hacket Solo Albums Hector possesses. Spectral Mornings kicked off the show. The current album – Wolflight featured prominently, Out of The Body, Wolflight, Lovesong to a Vampire, The Wheel’s Turning. The vocals sounded more convincing – Live – than they do in the studio recording. From forty years ago came Ace of Wands, A Tower Struck Down and the end sequence to the Magnus Opus – Shadow of the Hierophant.
The Bass Player was blond, wore glasses and bright red trousers. That looks like Roine Stolt – I said to Jonathan when he entered the stage. The Band were introduced, – On Bass, Guitar and Twelve String – Roine Stolt from the Flower Kings. And Transatlantic, Mr. Hackett! Hector’s day was complete. I no longer cared which of my Genesis Favourites would be dropped this evening.
Get ‘Em out by Friday, Can-Utility and the Coastliners featured from Foxtrot so, no Suppers Ready. Only the title track from The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, so no Chamber of 32 Doors, Carpet Crawlers, Fly on a Windshield. A rare performance of Cinema Show, we were told preceded the conclusion to the main set- Musical Box. By now people were settling in for a long night of Classic Genesis, and it was time for the encores already? Clocks-The Angel of Mons arranged such that it did neither piece justice, was followed by a true rendering of Firth of Fifth. We needed more of what Mr. Hackett did last year, or some form of Genesis Reunion. Time to go home. Marg said she knew none of tonight’s pieces, but recognised some. Maybe she has to see a Genesis Tribute Act?
As ever, Nigel was there to supply – The Usual Rubbish.
A Musik Machine played something that was Half Musik – Half Radio. The vocal interruptions were baffling. We were being invited to phone in to something dubious. The room started to warm up. The Decor still amuses, more Ice Cream Parlour than Curry House. Never be put off by the Spartan Ambience, Hygiene Legislation is strictly enforced in the UK.
Stewart and Hector were invited to have the odd numbered Chops, we happily complied.
ly enthralled by the Karahi Gosht.
Meanwhile Craig was eating, knife and fork in hand as ever. You take the man out of Edinburgh…
Taj India (Wiankowa 3, 
The Breads preceded delivery of The Curry. The Chef had decided that Quarters was how to present Indian Bread, sorry it isn’t, let the customer have the joy of tearing off pieces as required. The Paratha was Thick with Potato, Flaky in parts, Floppy in others. Not a bad attempt at all. No way could all of this be eaten, thankfully Steve would assist. The Naan, also quartered, look Thin and Peely Wally. Rather annoyingly, the Rice attracted every fly in the house.
The Balti stood out from the other Curry Dishes, it was served in the Tall Bucket. The Lamb was virtually spilling out the top of The Balti, just how much was there? I had to decant, no way could I eat directly from this. Fifteen Large Pieces of Lamb, this was close to The Half Kilo. The Quantity of Meat meant that this Dish was not all Masala. The Masala did look Rich but Red and pretty much the same as the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Vindaloo, the same Pot? We collectively decided later that the Masala in the Balti was Darker, Creamier.
There was a Modest Kick, the Seasoning was Fine, the Curry had a Pleasing Flavour, the Lamb as ever had only just been introduced to the Masala, a criticism of many a Mainstream Curry House. I’ve had a lot worse, and consequently way better. There was little to be negative about, this Curry worked for Hector. With Seven pieces of Lamb to go I tried to get rid of some across the table, the leftover Masala was accepted by Marg, but not the Lamb. This was a Feast, just a pity I had not arrived here mid-afternoon. Taj India is open from Noon to 23.00 everyday, next time I shall have the Appetite to match the Quantity.
The Calling Card was left with the cash, but as the Waitress fetched it and brought it to the bar area before I had made my egress, I stopped to mention – Curry-Heute. The Card was quickly taken to the Mistress of The House who had emerged from the kitchen. The efficacy of Taj India was revealed in an instant.
Fish Tikka Masala (34Zl) – Pieces of boneless fish marinated in aromatic spices, grilled in tandoor and served in spicy tomato gravy with cashew nuts – was listed at the end of the section for Lamb Curry Dishes, all the likely Hector Curry choices together. Had Lamb been on my mind today the Handi would have won, with a major alteration. The – Offending Vegetable – was not included in the description for the Fish Tikka Masala. Is this the first time Hector has ordered Tikka Masala?
The Capsicum Ballast did detract from the Overall Pleasure, it was not listed as an Ingredient when it clearly was in other dishes. Why was this? A Chap who had to be – Mein Host – entered the premises half way though my Curry, he acknowledge his only customer. When I had finished he returned and spotted the Pile of Peppers. I waved my hand over them – These do not belong in Curry. No offence was taken, he said they could have been withheld had I asked, but I pointed out I had no way of knowing of their inclusion. He was proud to inform me that he had an Indian Chef.
Torun is a nearby settlement with a Spectacular Stare Miasto, Old Town. There was also a Curry House, the Royal India, Hector was tempted, had I been travelling alone, no question.
That the Hostelry of choice – Krajina – could be regarded as the Finest Multi Tap Bier House I have visited in Polska may mean a return at some point in the future.
The Menu had a Realistic Range of Dishes on offer, with Pork featuring in addition to the customary Chicken and Lamb. Who was working in the kitchen? Curry could be ordered by weight, 150g or 300g Portions, a system I like. This means if one was certain of the order, 450g could be mustered. Marg and Steve ordered The Specials, Chicken and Lamb respectively. Murghi Special/Mutton Special – Tender pieces of tandoori chicken/lamb with fresh garlic, ginger and red pepper with aromatic Indian spices. Not for Hector. In a determined attempt at avoiding the – Offending Vegetable – Hector took a leaf out of Lord Clive’s book – Dhansak Mutton – Tender piece soft lamb cooked with lashings of lentils in eastern spices. Why the Dhansak had – Eastern Spices – and The Specials had – Indian Spices – was also baffling. Lashings of Lentils, very Blytonesque.
That European Menus tend to use the term – Shorba – as the Soup Header encourages Hector whose ideal Curry should never be described as – Soup. The Mutton Soup did not impress Steve. Not seasoned, the fresh garlic was added too late. It seemed like a Chinese soup with an egg? The Meat was few and far between.
The Curry was Thick with Lentils, so the Masala was far from the typical Onion-based Masala that is the Norm. This was Lamb served in a Daal, one feels Dhansak should be more than this. The Tender Lamb was truly Soft as advertised. Sadly, the Dhansak was Under-spiced and Under-seasoned. There was no sense of Potency, the Cumin Seeds occasionally were bitten into and gave off their Blast of Flavour, but the Curry itself had to little to offer.
This was a Stir Fry.
Mutton Achari (36Zl) was the standout in the list of Lamb Curry Dishes. A Vegetarian (!) Paratha (12Zl) would be a suitable Accompaniment and test of the Fayre. Hector was puzzled, the Fish Curry Dishes came with Basmati, there was no stated equivalence for Lamb. The Waiter made no attempt to offer clarification, indeed, having taken Marg’s order, he had to be halted to take mine.
Behold the Plate of Soup with Meat, perhaps there was an inevitability. A Large Portion of Basmati was presented along with a Floppy Paratha which had been quartered. No way could Hector eat all this. The Paratha was – OK – but half was abandoned, the Rice had to mop up the Copious Masala. The Masala was Excessive, Creamy but at least did have a pronounced Pickle Flavour. One has to be pragmatic in such occasions, this is not a Curry House as such, who knows the background to the preparation, was it Lamb-Ding? The Lamb was plentiful but far too chewy. As is reported too often, the Masala and the Mutton were – Perfect Strangers – they had only just been introduced to each other at the point of serving. Why do Restaurateurs still believe they can pour a Sauce over Meat/Fish/Vegetables and call it – Curry?
Hector was nearly in The City to watch Scotland’s Exit from their latest competition, instead, a Local Takeaway was chosen to counteract the numbness and supply Today’s Pleasure.
The Masala was there, definitely Minimal. The Masala did not drain through the Rice to the base of the plate, this Curry was Dry, the Meat was – shrouded – just how Hector loves his Curry. The Rice had Mushrooms, Onion and Peas, – Diversity, Interesting – and also another source of Flavour. The Spice and Seasoning Levels were Ideal, it was The Overall Flavour that made this Curry Outstanding. Hector has had Curry from many sources when nothing happens at all on the palate. The Flavour here was truly – Intense, I should have been able to isolate the dominant causes, definitely Herb, possibly Cardamom. Whatever, this Curry was saturated in, it was Pure Pleasure.
This is on Hector’s doorstep, I’ll be back, soon.
A very worthy creation, IMHO. With leftover Masala, this was set aside, the process can now continue.
The Curry was served in the same Metal Bowls as at Hector’s House. No need to decant. The Oily, Viscous Onion-based Masala looked Luxurious. The First Dip was sheer Pleasure. This was as good a Curry Masala as one could hope for, full of Flavour, but nothing to make this Diner go – Wow! …just very good. Eight pieces of Lamb were provided including one small Lamb Chop and two pieces Lamb on Sucky Bones. As one who prefers – Something Else- a Vegetable – in a Curry, I decanted the Onion and Tomato from the Salad and mixed it into the Masala, much better.