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?
I have just eaten – sufficed for the first few hours, by 22.00 The Munchies had arrived. Ricky disappeared into the night, Howard and Hector took a taxi to Rusholme, Howard’s first visit to The Manchester Curry Mile. Lal Qila (123 – 127 Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, Manchester, M14 5AN) was the chosen destination, tried and tested.
The road was dug up in all directions, indeed Manchester is pretty much dug up with tramlines being realigned. Trams, in the UK?
Lal Qila was empty, strange. Both Waiters were able to give us the fullest of attention, one I recognised. Assuming his photo was on a well known and reliable Curry Website. I accessed my review from last January, no staff photos. I was convinced that I had staff photos. Apparently not. What was muddling the memory – Mad Cow.
In January 2014, Hector was here alone. The Fish Karahi was – Wonderful. Steve and Hector dined here in January 2015, the Lamb Karahi was also a standout. With this information relayed, Howard went for the Fish, Hector the Lamb, both were £8.90. I asked for both Dishes to be served – Asian style – just in case this was a requisite for Quality Curry. I recommended the Kulcha Naan (£2.90) as Howard had never experienced this slightly sweeter and firmer version of Naan, two please.
The Poppadoms and Dips were brought with no exchange other than – Thank you. It is good when they are brought rather than the haggling about charge. Bring them, they are Complimentary, understood.
The Fish Karahi did not look to be Wonderful, little sense of Karahi.
Overwhelmed by spice, masking the flavour. (Indian) Mango never hide the basics. Howard was hoping for the – Wow – it never came. A Piece of Fish came my way. I agree, this was nothing special. A pity, they can do better.
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?
The Bill
£28.70, why? £4.10 for two Soft Drinks, plus a Mystery £1.00. The Poppadoms and Dips, very rude. We did not make a fuss, they were ordering us a Minicab back to the Centrum.
The Aftermath
Was this Strike #3 for Lal Qila? Time to try a new venue? Our taxi driver assured us we should go to Lahori Dera and Lahori Karahi, both on the Stockport Road. This was uncanny, the second recommendation for these today.
Meanwhile The Man from Bradford had resorted to visiting a well known Hamburger Chain, to his sorrow.
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
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.
