You like my curry – remarked Mein Host as Hector returned to the Punjab Balti & Pizza House (298 Lincoln Road, Peterborough PE1 2UL) some twenty four hours after Visit #1. Lord Clive of Crawley had joined The Company at the Oakham Brewery Tap prior to a relatively brief return to the Peterborough Beer Festival. Clive was disappointed that Royal Spice has gone, he too has fond memories. There was only one place to go, the Peterborough Curry House which sells Curry – in the Bradford-style. Hector is hard pushed to recall ever having having had a Curry with Clive in Bradford, a fact that may be significant.
A full portion of (six) Lamb Chops costs £8.00. The Downsman Ritual had to be maintained. Chapattis (70p) would accompany the only dish in Hector’s mind – Lamb Methi Balti Bhuna.
The Lamb Chops were ordered as soon as we took our seats. This should go some way towards creating a gap between Starter and Main. As with last night, the phone was ringing and ringing. Curry and Pizza for the discerning. We would be the only Diners.
Clive loves his Dansaak. Under Dansak Balti, the description was – sweet, sour and spicy. So what on Earth would a Pathia version of this be? Clive had to find out. Balti Chicken Pathia it would be, Pilau Rice was included. The Keema Naan was ordered regardless. We would struggle, we also had a time limit. If we were not on the required train, disaster.
The order for the Mains was given, the Lamb Chops came in good time.
A Pile of Lamb Chops was presented on a Sizzling Platter. A Layer of Onions completed their cooking on the metal, just like The Downsman. Maybe not The Downsman, but still bloody good – was Clive’s verdict on the Lamb Chops. Let’s not overlook the quality of the Raita, this is a standout too. Seven Chops were served, perhaps because one was slightly higher in bone content. There was plenty of eating here. All the Chops were Larger and Thicker than one normally encounters. The Spice and Seasoning had the lips throbbing. Slightly tougher than The Very Best, these were still very impressive Lamb Chops.
There was a wait…
Forty five minutes was the Delivery Time, hopefully this did not apply to the only Diners on the premises.
Mein Host apologised for the gap between Starters and Mains, this at least gave us time to let the Chops digest. Eyes were on the clock. Time dragged throughout The Wait, it would disappear in a flash during The Eating.
The Lamb Methi Balti Bhuna was identical to last night’s. The Punjab Balti & Pizza House had just passed The Curry-Heute Test. Once again, the size of the actual Balti was misleading. Packed with Lamb there was insufficient room to have Excessive Masala. The Spice, the Seasoning, this was Intense Curry. To have this on consecutive days was demanding, the mind once again wandered towards Fresh Vegetables. Only one of the two Standard Chapattis was utilised, such was the quantity of Curry.
A Sweet and Sour Pathia, a Tautology. Clive had to try it, it was far too Soup-like for Hector’s palate. The Curry was decanted on to about half of the Rice, Hector declined all offers knowing how much food there was across the table. The Keema Naan was possibly even more Substantial than given to me last night. We had a lot of food.
Ten minutes before the time when we had to be away, a taxi was ordered. The taxi arrived in five, we had to leave Precious Curry. Takeaway? Give me a break!
The Bill
£26.30. We had even more Food tonight for less than twice that paid yesterday. This place is most affordable.
The Aftermath
The departure was rapid. Dr. Stan and a train awaited at Peterborough Station, where there are no left luggage facilities. Why?
Crawley here we come…
Murg Purluft was first on the Menu. Chicken layered with Shahi Jeera and Fresh Coriander – how could Hector resist Cumin?
Two Large Pieces of Chicken were presented, there was a hint of a Coating. By the time the two had been cut into eight pieces, suitably sized to eke it out, the result was Pleasant rather than Outstanding.
What came impressed from the off. The Sliced Green Chilli Topping may be simple, but was certainly effective. One expects the Masala in a Bhuna to be Thick, this lived up to expectation and more.
Well-seasoned and with a definite Kick, there was Sufficient Masala rather the needless excess. The Base of the Masala had a quality Onion and Tomato core. Six decent-sized pieces of Lamb were the solids. Each of the Lamb pieces was best halved thus creating a Substantial Portion. The Flavours erupted, this was indeed The Full Bhuna.
The Calling Card was offered and was immediately taken to the counter where Mein Hostess was initially busy on the phone. Hector was introduced to this Charming Lady and the Curry-Heute Website outlined. I related the enjoyment last evening at the only 
The Menu had a Chicken Methi and a Meat Balti Bhuna, Hector required Meat Methi Balti Bhuna, no problem. Lamb Chops have been on Menus this week but at a price, here it was £8.00 for six Lamb Chops, a Half Portion was agreed. The Final Test would be a Keema Paratha (£2.20).
No sooner had I started The Chops when the Balti and Paratha were set before me. Too soon! This is what happens when one eats at this end of the market, so one cannot possibly think of complaining. I had to sneak a Dip of the Paratha into the Oil collecting at the side of the Balti – The Seasoning Blast! Oh yes! This was going to be Fun!
The Chops were finished as soon as the Gnashers permitted and The Main Event was tackled. The Balti does not look huge, the contents were Meat, and More Meat, more than a Man could contemplate. No point counting, way more than enough. The Masala therefore was squeezed into the interstices between the various-sized pieces of Lamb (?). The Oil had maintained the Heat level, the Methi Blast was there, this was very much in the style of Bradford Curry!
The Two Chaps who had returned offered me some of their Chicken Pakora. Sorry, I am stuffed! Introductions were made, the Calling Card given all round. I asked where I should have my next Curry in Peterborough. An impossibly long list was suggested, some venues out of town to the North. The Lunchtime Limit was stated, 
Passage to India (45 Magdalen St., Norwich NR3 1LQ) was Hector’s intended venue for this evening. Having passed by twice on Monday, this looked to be – the right sort of place – despite the formality of The Tablecloths. Somehow an Intervening Opperchancity took Howard, Tracey and Hector a few more metres away from the Kings Head, past Nazma and towards the much rated Ali Tandoori (9-11 Magdalen Street, Norwich NR3 1LE). With three Curry Houses along a hundred metre stretch, there is choice. One has to choose.
We got as far as the bottles of Still Water and Sparkling Water being brought t’table. Have we broken the seals? Hector asked Howard. By this time, we – The Three – had struggled to find anything that a Discerning Curry Fan would become excited about. Dear Reader, we are from Glasgow, the home of Punjabi Cuisine, Bangladeshi Curry simply does not cut the muster. We walked, again…
The Menu in Passage to India also stated – Bangladeshi – on the cover, however, inside there were dishes that were described as Punjabi. There was hope, expectation even.
The Waiter wheeled The Curry towards us. Look at those Dark Red Chillies. Tracey has issues with Red Curry, and prefers that Tomatoes should be way less than most Chefs would dream of utilising in the preparation of a Masala. It was no surprise that this was her focus. Beautifully tender lamb. The sauce was a bit too tomatoey for my taste. Overly acidic through the tomatoes.
Howard was doing a Dr. Stan impression throughout his Lamb Punjab. The number of recorded – Mmmmms – was off the scale. Howard was clearly enjoying his meal very much. Unsurprisingly, he had something to say at the end. Tender lamb (in a) .. onion and tomato based sauce, with a late addition of lemon. The result was a huge lemon hit, and it tasted fresher than the lemon hit at 
The lack of Seasoning was Hector’s fault, I forgot to put this on my list of requirements. Maybe I should have this pre-printed? However, Hector has once again to congratulate a Norwich Waiter for noting and passing on to Chef how to make The Hector Curry. The Meat Quantity was impressive, the Masala was heavy with Chopped Onion. This Curry had Flavour, it’s amazing how many do not. Clove and Cardamom were discovered as the meal was devoured, always a source of the Aromatic. Soup had been avoided, this was as good as one could hope for, possibly.
£37.15. Three contented diners, good value. Wednesday is Chocolate Day!
The Spice Lounge (8-10 Wensum St., Norwich, NR3 1HR) where Hector had 
Quack! Duck Grill Chilli Achari (£11.50) was appreciably dearer than the Mainstream Curry Dishes. Tandoori Duck in a Pickle-infused Masala should provide an alternative to the Lamb Curry overdose yesterday. This must be why Hector also ordered the Keema Rice.
The Bill
Last out, and on a school night. No need to leave the Calling Card, though Mein Host was shown the write-up from yesterday. He knows Hector takes his Curry seriously and will always speak favourably of venues which impress. Add – Spice Lounge – to this list.
The number of Norwich outlets open at Lunchtime is limited, however it is still uncanny that Hector should walk into a Norwich Curry House and find Howard and Tracey waiting for their order. Namaste India (2a Opie St., Norwich NR1 3DN) was the chosen venue. This place is – Vegetarian – I was informed as soon as I took my seat. Not a problem, for Lunch today something Light was desired. Fish is what Hector had in mind in the short walk from the Travelodge. The term – Vegetable Curry – had even flashed through Hector’s mind en route, a premonition? After two very satisfying Curry-Heute Experiences yesterday, Curry-Gestern, Hector was a bit – Lambed-out.
s half way into the restaurant. What I thought was a member of staff having his late night dinner sat through the glass. When his Dining Partner re-joined him I concluded otherwise. They were given the Soupiest of Curry, this had to be avoided.
What came impressed immediately. The Masala was Minimal, enough to shroud the Tender Lamb. The Masala was Thick, the Spice was in one’s face – almost Mexican Chilli.
The Bill
Hector is in Norwich as a build up to the Peterborough Ale Festival, because he can…
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.
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
I thoroughly enjoyed this Lamb Methi. If this is representative of what is available in Norwich, this could be a wonderful trip.
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?
