For many, this is a Bank Holiday Weekend, but not for Marg or Hector. Settling down to watch the Sunday afternoon Football on Sky Sports, Marg received a text inviting us to join former colleagues… on a School Night? They had today off.
We had planned to eat out – We’ll join them for an hour – was the plan. As if…
On the return drive home Marg was aware that Hector had not had his dinner today, she had sneaked in a Pizza earlier. Kebab Time! The closest source of Food to Hector’s House was closed. Back to the Drumry Roundabout, the New Kismet (311 Drumry Rd, Drumchapel, Glasgow, G15 8PA) had the lights still on as we passed moments before. Curry-Heute was certainly not The Plan, however, needs must.
Located at the extreme North-West Corner of Glasgow, right on the Boundary with Clydebank, the New Kismet remains Hector’s closest source of Takeaway Curry. This would be my Third Visit in over Twenty Years, the second is reported in this Website, September 2011. Tempes Fugit. Hector also rarely buys Takeaway Curry.
At 23.50 Hector entered the premises, Mein Host was on his knees cleaning. I held up a Menu and asked if they could simply – Can you cook me a Curry to order? Once it was confirmed they were still open the full Hector mode was in motion. Mein Host noted the order – Lamb, Dry, as Thick a Masala as possible, Methi too. The Seasoning I would leave up to them. Pilao Rice, too late for Bread I felt. There must be Logic in that last sentence. Would you like Coriander?
The Bill
£8.00. Perfect.
The order was relayed to the rear, time to present the Calling Card.
You have appeared in my Website once before, I wrote you a good review.
I had actually forgotten how good a review I gave Three and a Half Years ago. I rarely buy Takeaways. In the meantime I have covered other Local Sources, none of which have been that Wonderful.
I shall give you a Naan. Offer accepted.
One of the Chaps was eager to clean the doorway, this would be facilitated by me not standing in his way.
You have a car? I pointed immediately outside.
I shall bring it out to you.
After Midnight
Mein Host brought out the Bulging Blue Bag. No Naan, – I have given you Chicken Pakora.
My appreciation was expressed. Hector has done very well this weekend.
Minutes later the Blue Bag was torn apart and the contents arranged on the kitchen worktop. One cannot do anything but marvel at the Portion Size in a Glasgow Takeaway. Look at the Curry – Superb! I had been given exactly what I had described. This had been rustled up in the minimum of time. One had to admire what was set before me.
The Chicken Pakora could in no way be eaten tonight, however, I had better sample a piece whilst it’s Fresh. Clean, Warm, Tasty… how much Chicken has come my way of late? This is for another day.
The Lamb Curry was Excellent. It did not have – The Wow – but this was well above the average. The Dry Masala shrouded the Tender Lamb with an elegant sufficiency. The Lamb was cut Large, the realisation that a Snack would have been enough was hitting home, fast. Curry had not been planned. However, the Curry-Magnet was in full force.
Half of the Curry and the ample Rice Portion went into the fridge with the Chicken Pakora.
Hector had been sated. This was an Impressive Curry. I shall have to go back and re-establish the Café Serena connection.
The Aftermath
This evening’s meal – for Two – was Chicken. The Pakora was sliced and used as the Protein in a Stir Fry. Look at the size of the Capsicum! Proof that I do enjoy this Rogue Vegetable at the apposite time.
Chicken and Capsicum for dinner, by choice. Who would have thought?
Hector went to bed this evening with the knowledge that overnight, Curry-Heute would pass through the 3 Million Mark.
Well done – to the European Insomniacs, and American readers who are a few hours behind GMT.
Lime Pickle and Mixed Pickle were added in a quantity which was enough to give the required Tang. When one goes down the Achari route, it is difficult to fail.
A Young Waiter resplendent in a Singh Tartan Kilt brought the Menu and took the order for Sparkling Water. Hector was tempted to order a Pint of Soda Water, smiley emoticon understood.
This was Hector’s second sample of Haggis Pakora on consecutive days. Last night on my Birthday Treat at the 
s, seating around 80 at an estimate, the place was starting to fill up. A Painting of the Scottish Football Team adorned the wall. The 1974 World Cup Team was my first take. On closer examination this is an – All Time Greats Fantasy 11. More customers and more staff was steadily streaming in. This was early for a Glasgow Curry House to be attracting custom. Why are more Glasgow Venues not open all day? Think back to 
The Masala was thankfully not Thin as it could have been presented. The Masala had a Rich Texture with the Oil visible but not to excess. The Dish was Piping Hot, as food should be served. The Paratha was well-fired. A bit beyond the – Flaky – I had in mind but better the slight Crisping than the serving of Limp Bread. 
Dipping the Paratha in the Masala revealed a Mysterious Flavour. The initial reactions were – More Seasoning – required, after a few moments this was re-written to – not so. The Very Tender Lamb was a mixture of on-the-bone and off. What was I tasting?
A New Lady came downstairs and presented a complimentary Spiced Potato Soupcon. Two, tiny pieces of Potato. This kick-started the palate. Tasty. pleasant, a good start. A Pre-Starter (?) as I encountered in 
More couples were arriving. A chap sat right behind me had some offer he was cashing in too. As one couple left so they were replaced immediately beside others. Why sit us on top of each other. The tables for six looked cramped, and this was with nobody sitting at them. The potential to squeeze a lot of people in is there. This place could be uncomfortable on a Saturday night. Were all the Voucher Customers being sent downstairs? If so, what was the portion size upstairs?
With the classic white tablecloths, this is very much a place – to dine. The Ashoka West End is far removed from my favourite haunts.
I have never had a Poor Curry in a Harlequin Restaurant, but I have never been blown away either. If I was regular here, no doubt there would be better communication and the Curry could become bespoke.
The monthly trip to The Staggs (Musselburgh), Scotland’s Finest Pub – by far, saw only three Weegies present. At the time of the return, The Faither went for his bus, leaving Craig to resolve that he would accompany Hector to the 
Chef Rashid was fronting the shop from the rear. No sign of Ayaz, and the New Chap who I have finally identified as Qaiser, was out on a delivery as we arrived. Hector’s Lamb Karahi was arranged with minimal exchange. The hand gesture was enough to establish that if there was enough Meat on the premises, Large was preferred. Time for Craig to negotiate.
The Spanish Lady brought the Modest Salad and later the Raita. We stared at them both. Is this a new coffee dispenser that is in situ?
Has Craig acquired a stutter? A Completely different ball game from my last time when I didn’t even order Korma. Absolutely beautiful!
One is regularly reminded that Yvonne would not eat like that. Craig had a different approach. The Knife and Fork. Unwavering, systematic, inefficient, and surely an erosion of the Sheer Enjoyment on offer. Or, maybe not… Even the Modest Salad was tackled with such a genteel manner.
Time was taken to admire the Dishes on Display. The Chicken Palak looked appealing. Is Hector building up to ordering a Chicken Curry?
At 16.30 there were two couples already established in Bombay Blues. They occupied the window tables, the young waiter showed me to a small table adjacent to the couple who had just arrived before me. Why do they do this? I would have to spend my entire visit trying not to hear other people’s conversations.
Spooning the large pieces of Tender Lamb on to the Rice I stopped counting at twelve. Most of this Lamb would be halved. This was an Excellent Portion Size. The Achari was Piping Hot and Well-Seasoned. Oil was very visible in the base of the karahi, off putting for some. Not excessive. However the Onion was Excessive in the extreme. The Onion pieces were not as large as some venues have served but there was certainly an over-abundance. Was this Dish meant to have 
The Masala was not as Thick as the Hector optimum, but still, fine. This was Achari. Where was the Pickle? There was no sign of it in the Mash, and no Citrus Flavour emerged. Was this Achari?
A Thursday in April, a Curry. The last ever Curry with a work related evening to follow.
The Chicken Tikka in the Mixed Combo has come to the fore in recent visits. It used to be the Lamb Tikka that stood apart. The Seekh Kebab has taken a firm back seat. Succulent only begins to describe the Chicken Tikka. The Lamb Tikka took in more spice. A Perfect Combination.
That was lovely – was James initial remark for his Prawn Puri. And it will not be my last. QED.
The Tetula was served with sufficient Masala, they do not to serve Soup at the Akash. The covering of Dry Methi was Liberal, here we go…
The Lamb Achari as served at the 
Just after 13.00 we wandered back down towards the Isar and the final meal of this trip at 
When Clive finally got around to his – Lipsmackingly good. Very good meat, extremely tender lamb, all meat, no straggly bits.
Maggie enjoyed hers too – not so spicy I couldn’t taste it.
Herr Battra brought Dessert – from Jolly.
Howard and Tracey, took the adjacent table some twenty minutes later, Lamb and Fish Chettinad respectively. The Six had yet to be fed, The Special would take some time.
I had no idea what would be presented. An entire Fish on-the-bone lay across the plate covered with Masala that took Minimum to the extreme. The Lemon Wedges were squeezed, the juice drizzled over the Fish. The Flavours? I had no idea. Different – was my only description at the time. There was Spice, there was just enough Masala. This was not the Chettinad Masala.
So stunning was the Lamb Chettinad served at the 
The Bill