Five went to The Staggs, Musselburgh, for our monthly trip of Guaranteed Quality Ale, five went to The New Karahi Palace (51-53 Nelson Street, Tradeston, Glasgow, G5 8DZ). We had lost Neil but acquired Martin who had been on his own trip to Stavely.
Arriving at 20.30, the signs of previous Diners was evident. Qaiser moved the tables together when Martin joined us, his first Curry with Hector, his first appearance therefore in Curry-Heute. He followed Hector’s lead and accepted the Lamb Karahi on-the-bone with Extra Methi and Seasoning as – The Dish. Mags ordered her usual Aloo Gosht. With the Samsung Deceased, Hector had no way of accessing the Curry which Craig had enjoyed so much back in April. Mags consulted the well known and reliable Website and established Chicken Karahi. This too would be served on-the-bone. What she did not reveal was the effort Craig had gone to that day in order to secure a Mild Curry.
Yvonne boasts that she prefers her Curry to have more Masala than the Hector Curry. She also likes Capsicum in Curry, Chicken Jalfrezi was her choice. I have never seen such a Mainstream Curry ordered on these premises, each to their own. Mags, Craig and Yvonne ordered Roti as their accompaniment. Again Martin followed Hector, Chapattis. There is a Significant Difference.
Mags was happy to see Chef Rashid in his usual place. She remarked once again that the Aloo Gosht served here is – The Best. Mags’ level of expectations was high. With Takeaways also being dealt with, we had to wait a good half hour before the Majestic Food was served.
The Lady was not disappointed, the Aloo Gosht was also served on-the-bone. This would surely up the level a further notch. Indeed, The Best yet…
Four weeks have passed since I last experienced the wonder that is the Karahi Gosht as served on these premises. The Thickest, Minimal Mash-Masala topped with Fresh Ginger Strips. The Tenderest of Lamb and despite limiting myself to – just a portion – there was plenty of it. The Large, Fresh Chapatti was the perfect foil – how much do I enjoy this?
Martin ate the lot but remarked later than the Spice Level was below his level of preference. He now knows the standard, he is big enough to order to his exact specifications next time.
Craig’s Masala possibly matched that served with the Lamb, yet Chicken is a totally different experience. Craig suffered, the Spice Level may have been below Martin’s, it was off the scale for Craig. However, Mr. Resilient ate on as always. Craig has never been beaten by Spicy Curry. Maybe he is tacitly accepting that Masochism might be part of the fun…
There was one Unhappy Diner
Yvonne’s Chicken Jalfrezi was unlike anything I have ever seen at the New Karahi Palace. With abundant Capsicum served in the large lumps which I loathe, Yvonne began the task of eating this – Curry. She saw the Oil collect in the midst of the White Bowl, this Curry did not rate a Karahi. Yvonne was less than impressed and soon abandoned the Dish.
Who enjoyed their Curry? – asked Hector.
Four hands were raised.
Who ordered Chicken with Capsicum?
The remaining hand was raised.
And so, Dear Chaps and Chapattis, The Curry -Heute Campaign rests.
The Bill
£40.60. For five Diners!
The Aftermath
Shan, whom I have come to know as the Delivery Man, sat with two friends at the table behind me. He is now working elsewhere but knows where to have his Curry.
I had to inspect what they were having, they were up for some fun.
Daal and Saag Aloo was shared between the two friends, did Shan only have the Modest Salad? Apparently, they were – Lambed-out.
There is a tradition amongst my now Former Colleagues, that we have an Ale or two to commiserate, as the new term becomes hours away. Ian joined Hector today to (support) wind up Jamie and Steve, Dom, who has English holidays was just starting to feel that feeling of Approaching Menace in the pit of the stomach. For Hector this will never happen again, Ian begins his third year of retirement, two very Happy Chaps, three otherwise.
As with the Keema Padora, the Flavours from this Tender Lamb Dish are so Rich and Intense one has to ration the Pleasure. Ian knows his Curry and does not hand praise for the sake of politeness. The Spice Level may have taken him by surprise, as one who is also less-hirsute, he found a sweat forming.
The display at the counter had no Main Courses as is the norm in the Glasgow Curry Cafes. The Menu was given a cursory glance, better to negotiate.
I’ve been trying to visit here for ages, you are never open. It was suggested this is an illusion caused by the shutters on the adjacent grocer. Has there been a new exterior paint job to differentiate? Open every day at 14.00 I was assured. Neil may have more to say on this as he visits this area regularly. New Cafe Naseeb (?), Neil has already remarked before this write-up.
The layout and décor of this Venue has changed since the days of Cafe Sizzler. The entrance is very much Takeaway Kebab House, the interior has a more formal Restaurant layout. Quite tasteful even. Studying the Menu closely, Hector spotted six significant words – Opening First In Glasgow From Bradford. More Bradford Curry in Glasgow! This changed everything. I called over the Waiter and pointed to The Magic Words.
The Curry was brought, the first impression was that of a small Karahi. Fortunately, this proved to be deceptive. The Masala was Thick, Chopped Onions were highly visible, the Okra? Expecting Large Pieces of Okra I had to verify its presence. The Okra had been chopped Small too. It was also cooked beyond the level I prefer creating a Slimy Texture. Hector prefers his Okra – al dente. This was the last negative. The Paratha was Large, Fresh and Flaky.
I asked if I could meet The Chef? 
The Aloo Lamb was entirely different from the Achari served last week, this looked like the Perfect Hector Curry. The Portion was Substantial, no worry about the meat to bone ratio here. The Methi Topping was there along with Fresh Coriander. The Masala was Minimal, as hoped for, always.
Chopped Onion and 
Whilst the Aloo Lamb was most enjoyable, the Curry did not have the distinctive Flavours served at the Hector’s 
When the Waitress came to take away the Debris, I pointed to the Chopped Capsicum. Remember on 
I have read that Kabana has been renovated, it was hard to identify anything radical as I entered the near empty premises at 15.30. Two sets of couples were sitting in the booths down the right hand side, no change there. The Buffet had moved to nearer the large window on the Kitchen, where I had sat on my last visit. The Waitress had just gone into the Kitchen as I entered, I had to wait for her to emerge. I was shown to a booth adjacent to the other Couples, why not spread us out? A moment later she returned empty handed. There was an assumption that I was here for the Buffet, I had to ask for the Menu.
The Karela Lamb, Karahi Lamb and Karahi Fish have been revued previously, Lamb Achari fitted the bill perfectly. A Keema Paratha, Mince on the Menu, would also be a good test.
The Portion had plenty of Lamb but more Masala than I can cope with. The Paratha was Huge! – but already Quartered, Chef’s please stop this. As ever it had to pass the Hector Keema Test. Splitting it apart exposed the Grains of Mince – Good. This passed muster, no sign of the Pink, Donner-like Stuffing here.
I was asked if I was ready to order. Not yet. All of the above was my priority.
She went downstairs after consulting her upstairs colleague. He brought me two glasses of Sparkling Water. Wtf? Pint glasses were on the shelf at the bar. I was going off this Chap rapidly.
A soon as the Waitress placed the Curry Pot on the table I knew this was going to be Special. With Meat piled high, Potato inside and some Tomato extruding too, no false colouring, this looked like the Perfect Hector Curry. Ginger Strips and Fresh Green Chillies Toppings, yay! Has someone been studying Curry-Heute?
The finely cut Broccoli and the Peas offered the variety of Textures I enjoy in Curry. Everything was going my way. This won hands down against the Indus Tandoor. Mr. Holden has been nagging me all week to come here, I shall never hear the end of it. Also, he thinks Buddha on Rynek serves Curry despite other sources saying otherwise. Hector may not have covered all of the 
The Biryani was accompanied by a Modest Salad. There was no Masala to add, instead the Rice already contained sufficient moisture.
It was Chicken Biryani – was Mick’s contribution. Mr. Holden gave his usual – Aw-right, but found the Lamb to have a lot of Grissle. Spicy, better than it looks.
Howard enjoyed his Fish Kadhai. An initial big coriander hit followed by peppercorn. A decent spice level using smoked chillies.
Bernard’s Lamb Kadhai and Pilao Rice vanished. He must have been hungry. As we both tackled our Lamb Dishes the quality of the Lamb was discussed.
Where was The Chef who has impressed us on previous visits?
The Menu on the Board was minimal, Fish Curry was scored out. When asked, Mein Host said he didn’t have it today, and insisted that when available it flies out the door. Do people not understand Economics 101? Is there a new Unbusiness Strategy that is spreading throughout the Business Community, does he have the same Financial Advisor as 
The existence of the Solitary Curry House across the Vistula has been known to Hector for the last couple of years. When checking sources, the location was not as remebered, nor the name as previously noted. Hindus – Indian Food (Lipowa, 30-702 Kraków, Polska) now shows as the only Curry Outlet south of Kazimierz. That it is on the same street as the infamous Schindler’s Factory intrigued. Hector certainly did not recall a Curry House here and the day is remembered well. It was a Curry-Heute Birthday and the briefest of texts was received from Howard as we sat in the Museum Cafe at the end of the tour – 
Large or small? Asked the Young Lady. I asked the difference, the Curry was sold by weight – Excellent. 400g or 600g. The latter is more than a Half-kilo. Who could eat that much Curry? (!) The Standard Portion would do. As it was assembled into a Cardboard Container I then realised the weight included the Basmati. I should have gone – Large.
Waspaway!
I went around to the front of the Wagon to congratulate The Chef, whoever, wherever, and identify the Seeds.