Back in May, Akhtar and Hector sat and discussed the future of Masala Zing. Should he return to the Cafe Salma branding or stick with as was? My view was that without Hassan, there can be no Cafe Salma. By June the premises had closed, five weeks ago what was Cafe Salma / Masala Zing reopened as Mia – Sugar & Spice (523 Sauchiehall St, G3 7PQ). Chef Assif who dates back to the days of Cafe Salma remains on board. The potential to serve Curry at the Highest Quality therefore remains.
There are few venues open at 16.00 midweek, it is good to know that the all day opening maintains.
Akhtar, Mein Host, gave his customary warm greeting as Hector entered and took in the new surroundings. The Ice Cream display was prominent – Do you still serve Curry?
There were two Menus on the table, one for Sugar, one for Spice. Who is – Mia?
The Curry section was somewhat brief, to the point. Akhtar assured me all the Old Favourites are still available, simply ask. As well as the obligatory Pizza, Burgers have been added. The decision has been made to try and attract a broader customer base, apparently a younger clientele has been turning up in the evenings since the re-opening. The Moroccan Dishes are also still available so the Legend of Cafe Salma continues.
Hector was The Lone Diner initially, another Chap entered and ordered Lamb Chops as a Main Course, Six Chops made up the portion. Hector was able to photograph his dinner, crazy. But what for Hector? The Handi was tempting, but the Lamb Lahori Karahi (£8.45) proved irresistible. A Tandoori Roti (£1.75) would accompany. The Menu also listed the Drinks prices, the Sparkling Water would be £2.25. Akhtar approached the Kitchen Hatch – Lamb Lahori Karahi Desi, no Capsicum. He returned to establish the Spice Level. Above Medium – was agreed.
Two Complimentary Poppadoms and Dips were brought, one is actually enough I feel. I had only managed to eat one when the Curry was presented. A bit quick I thought.
There was an Abundance of Tender Lamb cut Large. The very familiar Salma Masala filled the Karahi. There was more Masala than was required, and sufficient to consider Rice as a better accompaniment. The Tandoori Roti was served Quartered. I still prefer Chapattis so the Bread was little more than Functional.
The Spice and Seasoning were at an acceptable level. Topped with Ginger Strips, the Masala was also rich in Ginger. When Akhtar came to check I did point this out. You like it that way. True, but it did tend to dominate. Somewhere in this Curry was a Semblance of Salma. Hassan used to instruct his Chefs to make Curry his way, the Cafe Salma way, this discipline has been eroded. The Lamb was not The Best, a bit too Chewy, stringy at times. The Lamb also added no Flavour to the Curry, there was a feeling that the Masala and Meat were Strangers until very recently. Still, this was a Good Curry but one always hopes for, expects the Outstanding when one walks into these premises.
The Bill
£10.00. Do the arithmetic. Thank you, Akhtar.
The Aftermath
Akhtar had taken my phone to the Kitchen whilst I dined to show the Chef the photos of Hassan and Family in Casablanca. Once I finished eating he invited me downstairs to show the new décor. They have filled the place twice since opening. I had to photograph the wall adjacent to the Ice Cream, is this the only way this banned word will get to appear in Curry-Heute?
After the shakiest of starts
The Mains came after a suitable gap. Sizzling in their respective Karahi, way too hot to start eating, time enough to take a 
Tracy’s Chicken Tikka Karahi intrigued. It did not look a whole lot different. Tracy admitted to not being that bothered about the Chicken, she would have been just as happy with the Masala. The Masala is what makes this Karahi, the Mash is so far from the Mainstream Curry Sauce this has genuine Character. If one has not been here to try it, then why not?
Hector alighted at 
The First Chap to greet me was Usy, the – Director Manager – he showed me to a table at the far end of the room. Not the largest of Venues, but more on this later. Next to show was Nick the – CEO – who made careful note of what was required. His upbeat enthusiasm was remarkable, one had to wonder what the Taxi Driver had said to him. The word – Chicken – was mentioned frequently, I had to ensure that Lamb was coming my way. Nick went out of his way to assure me that they do not simply have a One Pot System for every Curry. They would serve me Authentic, Asian Style Curry. Dry, Thick, Minimal Masala, these were all words Nick was happy with. We were talking the same language.
A Poppadom and Dips were brought. Nick then brought a Fourth Dip, a Spicier Raita. Nick informed me that Sagra was the first 
Marg phoned just as I was about to get stuck in. I asked for a telephone rain cheque. This Curry looked the part, Magnificent in Appearance, the Liberal Fresh Coriander topped the dish. I don’t do scores, but this Curry ranks among the Best ever eaten. What more praise can Hector give?
The distinctive Bradford Flavour was there. The Flavour was so Intense, this was Bradford Curry and more. One does not achieve – The Wow – often. The Lamb was cut Small a la 
For my next visit, Nick asked me to give him notice and he will prepare a Special Chicken Karahi on-the-bone. Chicken Curry? For Nick I would eat Chicken Curry, but the Great Curry Heute Test is – You have served me an Outstanding Lamb Masala Asian Style, please show you can repeat it.
There is one thing normal about a Holden Tour, we don’t all arrive at the same place by the same means of transport, at the same time, and we absolutely never all end up in a Curry House. The Rickmeister disappeared off to see Bradford FC, Three of the 
The Menu was presented, normally Omar is on duty and this is dispensed with, He knows. Omar currently works days as was reported a couple of weeks back. Dr. Stan ordered a Kebab Starter – Seekh Kebab. Having had 
The Lamb Balti was smothered in Dry Methi, exactly how I love my Curry. The Bradford Curry Flavour sat beneath the Methi, so it is definitely not Methi alone as was concluded a while back. Hector remains in the dark as to what the Chefs in this part of Yorkshire do to create such a Distinctive, Addictive Flavour. Yum.
Meanwhile our Young Waiter was revealed to be Omar’s Younger Brother, seventeen? He looks about twelve.
The Masala Mash shrouding the Fish was exactly what Hector had in mind. What sort of Fish? Masala Fish! Full of Flavour, indeed – beyond full – Fish adds a Flavour Overdose, Intense, just what the Taste-buds need at this time of day. Sausage, Bacon and Eggs, Beans, Hash Browns? No thanks.
The Chapattis numbered three, the Bradford Norm. Smaller than served in the equivalent venues in Glasgow, these were more typical of the Traditional Chapatti. Two were sufficient.
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.
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 
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.
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 
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.