Hector had worked up an appetite. A walk in the South Downs with Marg, Clive, Maggie and Eight Others saw us return to Crawley around 20.00, only The Faithful felt the need for Curry-Heute. There is only one venue when one is on such a short visit – The Downsman (Wakehurst Drive, Southgate, Crawley, RH10 6DH. Yes, it is only two weeks since Clive and Hector last dined here together. Crawley has its attractions, The Downsman is certainly one of them.
Two staff acknowledged me as I entered, some familiar staff members were conspicuous by their absence this evening. The place was stowed, what looked like a large party was nearing its conclusion in the main dining area. We were taken to a high table beside the pool table on the far side, not ideal, but we were in.
The Young Lady behind the bar asked to see her photo on Curry-Heute, this suggests she is not a regular visitor to this Website as her Two Colleagues are. It was agreed that we would order at the bar, table service had been shelved, it was that busy.
There had to be Lamb Chops, Two Portions. Hector has learned his lesson and will now share a Portion of Six Chops. Maggie may not, Crispy Bhindi was added to the Starters on her behalf.
Lamb Rara has been cropping up all over the place in recent times, Hector would have to sample this. Lamb served in a Masala with Lamb Mince. Slowly, very slowly, I might get round the Downsman Menu, well the Lamb sections. Clive took a step back in time and selected the Chicken Dansak. Maggie went for her usual – Chicken Saagwala. Marg maintained the highest of standards and chose Keema Mutter. There is a Keema Methi Variant on the Menu, however, Marg stuck to her guns.
Maggie and Hector required Rice, Mushroom Rice. Marg’s single Chapatti would become a Roti and once more Clive returned to the familiar – Keema Naan.
The Bill
£58.20. As ever, this was for the Food only, Drinks were purchased separately.
The Starters
The Lamb Chops were presented on a single platter, Sizzling as ever, Superb.
Maggie’s Crispy Bhindi became a distraction briefly. The Okra had been sliced longways and was dipped in a Spicy Coating. How the Chef managed to keep the Okra this Dry was impressive. 
The Dish looked like Fish Bait as served in Greece. The Palate expected a Salty Blast, this was quite a subtle dish. We all sampled the Crispy Bhindi and were impressed. Meanwhile the Lamb Chops required our attention.
Lamb Chops have to be Hot, Succulent and Spicy, these hit the mark. Marg was rounding up the Sliced Onions which were still cooking on the Platter. She admitted later that she had over-indulged on these. 
Lamb Chops, mmmm. Maggie forced down half a Lamb Chop too.
When The Waiter came to clear up the debris, I pointed to one of the Bowls which housed the Dips.
Can I have some Dry Methi served in one of these please?
It took a couple of attempts to convince him that this simple request was indeed what I wanted. Apparently not a problem.
The Curry
We had been asked at the counter if we wanted all the food to come at once. Perhaps because they were being run off their feet, the gap between Mains and Starters was most acceptable. The Chops had been given time to digest.
Marg enjoyed her Keema Mutter – Very good, it’s a long time since I had it. A wee kick, a pleasant change.
Clive is rarely disappointed by a Dansak, tonight was no exception. Stacks of meat, creamier than it needed to be.
Of all the Dishes on the table, Maggie’s Chicken Saagwala looked the most enticing. A Lamb version must be investigated in the future. Whilst she enjoyed her Curry, her frustration became more visible. Chaps at the adjacent table were backing into her and causing discomfort. She was not amused. We were here – To Dine!
Hector started happy, however this did not last. The Lamb Rara looked to be part of the Hector Curry Script, it was served Tepid. The Seasoning was not there, there was no sense of Spice.
The word – Bland – has to be used. Hector does not slate Curry as a rule, this Dish was a Major Disappointment. The Extra Methi sprinkled on top, could not rescue the Rara either. Warm food will cool, cool food can never regain the intensity of Flavour. Sorry, but this Curry did not impress.
Marg had some Keema Mutter left over. Despite it being some five to ten minutes since she stopped eating, her Mince was still warmer than my Lamb Rara had been initially served. Should I have sent it back? I do not recall in the epoch of Curry-Heute doing so, unless someone had brought me Chicken.
Even the best venues can have an off day, or are they simply victims of their own success?
Hector’s Spicy Aloo Gosht Karahi had visibly more Dry Methi on Top, Marg had yet to experience this recent Variation.
The First Dip of the Paratha was into the gathering Oil, what a way to start. This combination of Paratha, Potato and Lamb was Excellent, as Wonderful a Curry as can be served at the 
Who was enjoying the Experience more, Hector or Marg? The Methi Topping is the icing on the cake.
Marg must have a White Coffee at the 
We had perused the Desi Menu on the train on the journey into town. Steve was already interested in the Lamb Rarra, A Lamb Dish with Lamb Mince in the Masala. A Garlic and Coriander Naan would accompany. Hector was in the mood for a Dish which dates back to the days of 
We ate the lot, clean plates all round. We didn’t like it – I said to Akhtar as he cleared away the crockery. He could tell.
Plates were assembled on the counter, Mein Host was the aerial conveyor, first to be set down was a single Chicken Seekh Kebab. He wanted me to sample it, and so I did, and as is befitting those who wish to feed the Hector, it is reviewed. What might be considered a half portion of Aloo Gosht followed and a fair-sized portion of Chicken Mince and Potatoes (Aloo Murgh Keema) was placed last.
One Dish would cool whilst the other was consumed, or tackle both at once?
And so Hector had another Chicken experience. Chicken Tikka Masala looms. The Oil content was so minimal there was next to no residue on the plate at the end. More Seasoning required, this did not have – The Wow – I have experienced from the Lamb Mince version. Still, the kick was there, Dry as Curry can be served, no Masala to speak of. With the fresh Tomatoes on top, the much sought after Diversity of Texture; how many boxes ticked? As the second Chapatti was tackled the realisation had long since hit home, no way should I have ordered this one. Still, we are not in Aberdoom where Two Chapattis cost as much as a Glasgow Curry.
The Monthly Trip to 
e so enjoyed two weeks ago – Chicken Karahi. He was offered Palak but stuck to his guns and had the Chicken version of the Hector Lamb Karahi with Dry Methi sprinkled on top.
The Aloo Gosht had seriously large pieces of Potato. I must try this Dish. However, the Masala is in the Shorva-style, not the Dry-Thick Masala Hector prefers.
With Bones, the Half-kilo is easily manageable. Superbly Tender Lamb in a Minimal Masala Mush, a Curry Fantasy. A Fantastic Curry. There is only one 
Poppadoms and Dips were brought, enough for Five. Jamie and Iain arrived moments later. By this time Irfan had confirmed that – The Dish – would be Lamb on-the-bone and there would be enough for Three. That was Dr. Stan Steve and Hector sorted, the joy of being punctual.
The Mixed Combo is One Seekh Kebab, Two Pieces of Chicken Tikka and Two Pieces of Lamb Tikka. The Spiciness from the Seekh Kebab Titillates The Palate. The Succulence of the Chicken Tikka complements this. The Intensity of Flavour from the Lamb Tikka brings this Starter to a Wonderful Conclusion. Jamie demolished the Lamb Tikka, without the build up it’s not the same.
Steve was given Four Good-sized Lamb Chops. Two had Big Bones, two Small. Tasty! Next time. We were on the £15.00 eat a la Carte Deal despite it being a Friday. Cheers, Rashid!
This must be Hector Special #4. Dry Masala, Thick with Methi. Rashid is a Regular Reader of Curry-Heute, he knows.
The Seasoning was less intense than has been served previously, Steve was glad. The Spice Level was at a Killer Level. The Tenderest of Lamb had minimal Bones in the Hector Portion, some in Steve’s, Dr. Stan took the brunt. This was Excellent Curry but still a bit short of – Wow! The Good People of Glasgow’s 
Hector finds himself at The Ashoka Ashton Lane (9 Ashton Lane, Glasgow, G12 8SJ) mid afternoon. Completing the visits to all Harlequin Curry Houses north of the River Clyde, Hector is delighted that it is possible to eat here all day from noon. Not enough venues are open in Glasgow after lunchtime.
No sooner had I poured the Water into the Glass when a Chap came through the adjacent door with the Chaat. Two Little Chicken Pieces. 
The Lamb was spot on in terms of needing chewing but not being so soft it didn’t. There was no Flavour emanating from the Lamb itself. As in a previous visit to an 
I couldn’t possibly be here and not have the Tandoori Lamb Chops. Normally I have to share some of the Portion of Six, not tonight. I informed Clive that we were having a Portion Each. Yvonne and Craig would share One Portion. I was set to go up to the Bar to order when a familiar Young Waiter produced a pad, we would be served at the table. This also means one is not paying in advance. The system is evolving.
The Lamb Chops are that Magnificent. Spicy, Succulent, almost OTT. If Craig can eat these, he can eat a Curry at any strength. There are two ways to eat Lamb Chops – as Nature Intended, or the Posh Edinburgh Public School way.
Both Craig and Yvonne were using their knife and fork. Que? In the end, Yvonne gave up, Her Weegieness disproved a long held myth – Yvonne would do that…
Meanwhile elsewhere, Craig was swearing at The Hector. He was thoroughly enjoying his Methi-Melange but he too was finding the Spice Level to be nearing Ten. If Craig survived the Lamb Chops, he will be fine with this.
A familiar face from the days of 
The Familiar Waiter, Akhtar, came and sat at the adjacent table. He knew my face, knew of Hector, but had not matched the two. He even has my phone number. There was a lengthy discussion about the Menu. That which is written above was relayed. The Desi List impresses, but where is the Fish equivalent? As I whipped out the Trusty Samsung to show the Fish Chettinad served at 