Hector is in Norwich as a build up to the Peterborough Ale Festival, because he can…
Having checked in to the Norwich Travelodge bang on Noon, Hector had just over an hour before the rest of The Company starter to arrive. Curry O’clock. Spice Lounge (8-10 Wensum St., Norwich, NR3 1HR) was chosen due to its proximity to the Travelodge and being one of the few places open at lunchtime, so that’s Hector sorted for the next three days.
I was shown to the upper seating area by the Young Waiter. Mein Host was behind the Bar and suggested I sit through to the rear of the large room as work was ongoing, fixing the air conditioning. There was no Hot Water at the Travelodge, is Norwich broken? I kept my small table at the edge of the balcony, from here I could see, and be seen.
Would you like Poppadoms? No thanks.
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.
Being the first customer this Monday Lunchtime, the wait was not long. The same Waiter brought the Curry, another Chap had been sentenced to folding Napkins at the far end throughout my visit.
The Waiter decanted the Mushroom Pilao, more than enough Rice.
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
Very Good – was my statement when the Waiter asked The Customary Question. This Dish was very enjoyable. Apart from the Methi, there was a distinctive Flavour I could not fathom. Had the Chef appeared and looked Chinese I would not have been surprised. Monosodium Glutomate? A wild guess, there was something unusual about the Overall Flavour, a slight Sweetness, Peppery, Ginger. I would need my Chemistry Set to complete a precise analysis.
I thoroughly enjoyed this Lamb Methi. If this is representative of what is available in Norwich, this could be a wonderful trip.
The Bill
£11.75. £1.50 for the Glass of Sparkling Water.
The Aftermath
The Chocolates were declined, the Hot Towel welcomed. The Calling Card was issued, the Waiter said he would pass it on. Back out into the rain, where is the Fat Cat Brewery Tap?
Some Takeaways I passed later on. Indian Foods, I like it!
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…
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?
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…
Who enjoyed their Curry? – asked Hector.
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.
