Recommended last night by The Locals, The Banyan Tree (53 Westgate, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE1 1QA England) was said to be pricey. However, the Two Courses for £10.00 at Lunchtime was worth a try. One cannot expect The Full Bhuna when such deals are accepted, though if last month’s visit to Sanam in Falkirk is a yardstick, maybe expectations can be raised.
Hector was the first customer of the day entering just after 12.00. The Young (Portuguese I would establish later) Waiter itself as a Restaurant and Bar. There is a range of Keg Biers on offer, but with the Oakham Brewery Tap a few metres along the street, well…
The Starter
Murg Purluft was first on the Menu. Chicken layered with Shahi Jeera and Fresh Coriander – how could Hector resist Cumin?
Two Large Pieces of Chicken were presented, there was a hint of a Coating. By the time the two had been cut into eight pieces, suitably sized to eke it out, the result was Pleasant rather than Outstanding.
*
Bhuna Gosht
The description for the Bhuna Gosht was enhanced by the offer for – tweaking. The Waiter asked about Spice Level, Green Chillies were mentioned. This was certainly a departure from the usual Two Course Lunch.
What came impressed from the off. The Sliced Green Chilli Topping may be simple, but was certainly effective. One expects the Masala in a Bhuna to be Thick, this lived up to expectation and more.
Well-seasoned and with a definite Kick, there was Sufficient Masala rather the needless excess. The Base of the Masala had a quality Onion and Tomato core. Six decent-sized pieces of Lamb were the solids. Each of the Lamb pieces was best halved thus creating a Substantial Portion. The Flavours erupted, this was indeed The Full Bhuna.
The Accompaniment
Lasooni Naan? That’s a new one. This was the biggest Naan seen this week. Garlic Solids were spread generously across the Naan, this was a Tasty, well made, piece of Bread, an Excellent Accompaniment.
The Ever-attendant Waiter asked the customary question, I could only praise this Curry.
The Bill
£12.75. OK, they had to make their profit from the Sparkling Water.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was offered and was immediately taken to the counter where Mein Hostess was initially busy on the phone. Hector was introduced to this Charming Lady and the Curry-Heute Website outlined. I related the enjoyment last evening at the only Punjabi outlet found so far in Peterborough. The Cuisine at The Banyan Tree is Middle to North of India, Gujarat was mentioned. My visit to Sri Lanka and the perceived excess of Coconut was discussed. Next year in India.
It is always a pleasure to talk – Curry – after an impressive meal.
Next year Hector will have to consider more than one night in Peterborough.
FYI – Hector has never been to Portugal.
Update 2017
The Menu had a Chicken Methi and a Meat Balti Bhuna, Hector required Meat Methi Balti Bhuna, no problem. Lamb Chops have been on Menus this week but at a price, here it was £8.00 for six Lamb Chops, a Half Portion was agreed. The Final Test would be a Keema Paratha (£2.20).
No sooner had I started The Chops when the Balti and Paratha were set before me. Too soon! This is what happens when one eats at this end of the market, so one cannot possibly think of complaining. I had to sneak a Dip of the Paratha into the Oil collecting at the side of the Balti – The Seasoning Blast! Oh yes! This was going to be Fun!
The Chops were finished as soon as the Gnashers permitted and The Main Event was tackled. The Balti does not look huge, the contents were Meat, and More Meat, more than a Man could contemplate. No point counting, way more than enough. The Masala therefore was squeezed into the interstices between the various-sized pieces of Lamb (?). The Oil had maintained the Heat level, the Methi Blast was there, this was very much in the style of Bradford Curry!
The Two Chaps who had returned offered me some of their Chicken Pakora. Sorry, I am stuffed! Introductions were made, the Calling Card given all round. I asked where I should have my next Curry in Peterborough. An impossibly long list was suggested, some venues out of town to the North. The Lunchtime Limit was stated, 
Passage to India (45 Magdalen St., Norwich NR3 1LQ) was Hector’s intended venue for this evening. Having passed by twice on Monday, this looked to be – the right sort of place – despite the formality of The Tablecloths. Somehow an Intervening Opperchancity took Howard, Tracey and Hector a few more metres away from the Kings Head, past Nazma and towards the much rated Ali Tandoori (9-11 Magdalen Street, Norwich NR3 1LE). With three Curry Houses along a hundred metre stretch, there is choice. One has to choose.
We got as far as the bottles of Still Water and Sparkling Water being brought t’table. Have we broken the seals? Hector asked Howard. By this time, we – The Three – had struggled to find anything that a Discerning Curry Fan would become excited about. Dear Reader, we are from Glasgow, the home of Punjabi Cuisine, Bangladeshi Curry simply does not cut the muster. We walked, again…
The Menu in Passage to India also stated – Bangladeshi – on the cover, however, inside there were dishes that were described as Punjabi. There was hope, expectation even.
The Waiter wheeled The Curry towards us. Look at those Dark Red Chillies. Tracey has issues with Red Curry, and prefers that Tomatoes should be way less than most Chefs would dream of utilising in the preparation of a Masala. It was no surprise that this was her focus. Beautifully tender lamb. The sauce was a bit too tomatoey for my taste. Overly acidic through the tomatoes.
Howard was doing a Dr. Stan impression throughout his Lamb Punjab. The number of recorded – Mmmmms – was off the scale. Howard was clearly enjoying his meal very much. Unsurprisingly, he had something to say at the end. Tender lamb (in a) .. onion and tomato based sauce, with a late addition of lemon. The result was a huge lemon hit, and it tasted fresher than the lemon hit at 
The lack of Seasoning was Hector’s fault, I forgot to put this on my list of requirements. Maybe I should have this pre-printed? However, Hector has once again to congratulate a Norwich Waiter for noting and passing on to Chef how to make The Hector Curry. The Meat Quantity was impressive, the Masala was heavy with Chopped Onion. This Curry had Flavour, it’s amazing how many do not. Clove and Cardamom were discovered as the meal was devoured, always a source of the Aromatic. Soup had been avoided, this was as good as one could hope for, possibly.
£37.15. Three contented diners, good value. Wednesday is Chocolate Day!
The Spice Lounge (8-10 Wensum St., Norwich, NR3 1HR) where Hector had 
Quack! Duck Grill Chilli Achari (£11.50) was appreciably dearer than the Mainstream Curry Dishes. Tandoori Duck in a Pickle-infused Masala should provide an alternative to the Lamb Curry overdose yesterday. This must be why Hector also ordered the Keema Rice.
The Bill
Last out, and on a school night. No need to leave the Calling Card, though Mein Host was shown the write-up from yesterday. He knows Hector takes his Curry seriously and will always speak favourably of venues which impress. Add – Spice Lounge – to this list.
The number of Norwich outlets open at Lunchtime is limited, however it is still uncanny that Hector should walk into a Norwich Curry House and find Howard and Tracey waiting for their order. Namaste India (2a Opie St., Norwich NR1 3DN) was the chosen venue. This place is – Vegetarian – I was informed as soon as I took my seat. Not a problem, for Lunch today something Light was desired. Fish is what Hector had in mind in the short walk from the Travelodge. The term – Vegetable Curry – had even flashed through Hector’s mind en route, a premonition? After two very satisfying Curry-Heute Experiences yesterday, Curry-Gestern, Hector was a bit – Lambed-out.
s half way into the restaurant. What I thought was a member of staff having his late night dinner sat through the glass. When his Dining Partner re-joined him I concluded otherwise. They were given the Soupiest of Curry, this had to be avoided.
What came impressed immediately. The Masala was Minimal, enough to shroud the Tender Lamb. The Masala was Thick, the Spice was in one’s face – almost Mexican Chilli.
The Bill
Hector is in Norwich as a build up to the Peterborough Ale Festival, because he can…
As ever, if they wished me to have them, bring them, I am not paying for them. The Menu was studied. Under Traditional Favourites was – Methi Dishes. Traditional? This would not have been on The Menu a decade ago. Some Dishes listed the Vegetable to be avoided, I had the Waiter confirm that no Capsicum would be harmed in the creation of my Lamb Methi. Mushroom Pilao would accompany. £3.50 for this pleasure, a bit steep, but the Lamb Methi was only £6.75.
With some of the the ceiling on the floor and ladders aplenty, there was much activity in the large dining area. Eighty Diners, or more, could be accommodated. There were Tablecloths.
The Lamb Methi looked the part. The Masala was an authentic Brown with a visible Oil Base. The Masala had genuine Quality, Thick with Onion, some Tomato-mash aided the Texture. There was no lack of Seasoning, the Spice Level was Fine, I could have asked for Spicier. This was acceptable. The Lamb Portion was generous for this price, in double figures, there was a lot to eat here. The Lamb was Tender but not so soft it did not require chewing, Perfect. A few Micro-pieces of Capsicum had sneaked in, these were easily avoided.
The Flavour Baffled
I thoroughly enjoyed this Lamb Methi. If this is representative of what is available in Norwich, this could be a wonderful trip.
By 21.00 we had – Set the World to Rights, Hector also realised that it was conceivable that the planned Curry House – 
th venues, however, pre-Curry-Heute, Hector was resident at 
Hector is always pleased to any enter any (sensible) dialogue regarding Curry and/or Curry-Heute. It was pleasing when Bill contacted Hector a few weeks back and after some walks down the memory lane of Glasgow Curry, suggested we meet – for Curry. He was particularly keen to sample the White Karahi as originally created by Waris at 
One Kilo of Karahi Gosht was set before us. We tore in, however, the Redness of the Oil was the giveaway. Chef Habib came out to check on our level of enjoyment. Bill congratulated him on the quality of the Karahi, presumably he had cooked as he had be instructed. A bit late now to point out the obvious. Where was Khalid?
Today marked the last day of Hector officially in employment. Ever The Geographer, Marg and Hector visited a landscape which Hector has inexplicably never seen before – Cora Linn at The Falls of Clyde. If Coatbridge is remote, access to (New) Lanark is ridiculous.
em recognise us, his beard made it difficult to reciprocate.
The Masala Fish was not long in coming. A Decent Portion for a Starter, it was covered in Chopped Onion and – Capsicum. Oh dear. Again I congratulate the Waitress at 
Hector decided the Masala Fish was not Curry, and so ate the lot! Fresh Tasting, Enjoyable, but would have been better without…
ad…
Three Waiters would check on our progress and needs as we dined. This can be intrusive, not here, they were polite, attentive and prompt, Excellent Service.
She too remarked on how Tender the Lamb was – Full of Flavour, I had to try this Masala. Wow! Marg had described it as – Earthy, I would call it – Unique! I only had a Soupcon, this I would like to try as My Choice of Main Course. Very Distinctive, but having taken so little, the Palate Analysis had little chance. I note the claim that somebody is making a Superb Garam Masala. Dr. Stan, whenever you are free…
