Mr. India Thali has gone, in its place we have Home Style (470 Paisley Rd, Glasgow, G5 8RE). Hector introduced himself to the Couple in charge last November but had a visit to the Punjabi Dhaba and Pendragon in mind. Strange, I am not long back from Katowice once again.
Arriving before the advertised opening time of 16.00, the Young Lady behind the counter gave a warm and friendly greeting. Studying the Menu above the counter there was little sign of Curry, instead the usual Kebabs and Pizza. The Curry was listed in the printed Menu. I took my seat at one of the two bench tables and looked for The Hector Curry.
Karahi Bhoona would hopefully be towards – Dry, the usual issue would have to be resolved.
… with an abundance of Capsicum and Onion .. I read aloud from the Menu. Can I have Potato instead of the Capsicum?
Sure.
A Plain Paratha.
No rice?
I returned to the table and realised I should have taken the other table out of line of sight. The poor girl would be sentenced to watch my every mouthful.
Indian Takeaway and Diner it says proudly on the shop heading outside. There are two tables seating eight max. That would be quite a spectacle. This is essentially a Takeaway, but from humble beginnings empires are created. Yadgar started out like this. Who knows, the Authentic Indian Cuisine served here could be the discovery of 2015. One always arrives with an air of optimism.
I scrutinised the Menu whilst I waited for the Chef to produce the Curry. This was the Chap I had met last year. It was the Lady who had done most of the speaking that day. The list of Pizzas was longer than the list of Curry dishes. One has to accept that the Glasgow Kebab Shops do a roaring trade in Pizza, the prices are a fraction of the Pizza Chains.
The Hoggie
Who invented this? A Chapatti Wrap with Chips and Cheese, optional Salad and Sauce. Glasgow Salad.
The Curry and Paratha was brought to the table, none of the – here it is, come and get it – that some venues operate. The Karahi Bhoona was served sealed in a plastic tray which was on top of a polystyrene plate. A plastic fork. Removing the lid revealed a somewhat – Soupy – looking Curry topped with Fresh Coriander. Authentic Indian Cuisine or Glasgow Curry? The Paratha was definitely on the Thin side and lacked either Flakiness or Fluffiness. This disappointed. Still, with pieces of Paratha in the left hand and the plastic fork in the right, the Masala was scooped in the now standard Hector method of Curry eating.
I’ll close the door and stop your food getting cold. A welcomed touch, thoughtful in the height of the so-called Scottish Summer.
The Masala had a hint of Sweetness, some Methi would have changed the dynamic considerably. The Quantity of Lamb was Sufficient, the Quality ranged from Very Tender to Slightly Chewy. With more Masala than Hector hopes for, most of the eating was in the consumption of the Masala itself. This grew on me the more I ate. The consistency was far from Soup, a decent level of viscosity. The Finley Chopped Onion that had been stirred through the Masala gave a slight Grittiness. The Seasoning and Spice Levels were well within acceptable parameters. This was not Outstanding Curry it was Very Pleasant to eat.
Hector likes Curry and is usually happy to experience all interpretations.
The Bill
£8.50. No Drink.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was handed over. It was established that The Chef was the Young Lady’s Father. I think I met your Mother last year. Indeed I had. Lovely people, I wish them well in their enterprise.
Update 2024
Home Style has gone.
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.
I could eat this everyday on this Trip, however other venues will be considered. This remains the Benchmark for 
The Sparkling Water was also served in a no-nonsense half litre glass.
Ryba Balti (Fish Balti) at an unbelievable 29.00ZL was on offer. We were warned the portions were substantial. Hector needed Rice, Ryz z kminem (Cumin Rice) would accompany. Dr. Stan and Howard both agreed that the Fish looked the best option. Dr.Stan would have Pulao z warzyami (Vegetable Pulao), Howard secured his Aloo Paratha. The order was placed at the bar and paid, cash in advance.
The Quantity of the Thick Masala appeared unnecessary initially, however this was misleading, there was a Mass of Fish within. The Masala was Seriously Thick making one wonder why other venues even attempt to call their – Soup – a – Masala. The Spice and Seasoning were perfectly acceptable. When Howard offered a piece of his wonderfully Flaky Paratha the Seasoning from the bread upped the game. Hector had Rice, the Cumin Seeds worked their magic, Aromatic.
Meanwhile, Mags arranged a Biryani for herself, and nearly managed to eat it all.
Dr. Stan – I actually really enjoyed it. The vegetable rice was full of vegetables, the curry full of fish.
Dr. Stan and Hector were off to 
Namaste (ul. Nowogrodzka 15, 
Bhuna Gosht or Achari Gosht. The Bhuna promised to be closer to the Hector Curry, Howard said he would have the Achari, he does this, in the field of research. A Methi Roti had to be tried. Howard asked for a Stuffed Aloo Paratha but the Waiter gave an emphatic – No. Garlic Naan it was, we never found out why Paratha was not possible. Meanwhile a plate of Vegetable Rice was paraded, I was almost tempted.
Saffron, or Safffron (2 Market Pl, Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire PA13 4AD) was recommended by Curryspondent John S. This is a modest establishment just off the town centre junction, seating twenty four max. It would be quite a sight to see every seat occupied. One family had arrived not long before us around 19.00. We were shown to a table for four out of sight of the weans, good touch.
The Menu puzzled, Safffron? We would have to ask. We told Mein Host we had come from Clydebank.
The Menu had some interesting moments – The Glasgow Curries – well that brings a smile. In the Starters section – Barrah Kebab – stood out, Lamb Chops by any other name. Spiced Haddock also featured. On another visit…
The Rarra Gosht looked just the job. Dark and Thick, the Masala was Minimal as is preferred.
Marg fared much better with the Rarra Gosht, Hector was able to sample this too. Certainly Well-seasoned, on the limit perhaps, full of Flavour. The Herb content looked more Methi than Coriander.