It was in June 2011 when Hector and Marg accepted the invitation from Mein Host – Waseem Ahmed – to visit and revue Shimla Cottage (109 Sunnyside Rd, Coatbridge, ML5 3HR). The Curry impressed, but as Coatbridge is not in an area which Hector traverses with any regularity, there was never a return visit, until today. Dr. Stan who admits to reading Curry-Heute, has expressed an interest in taking the train beyond the East of Glasgow, perhaps one day we will.
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.
Arriving at Shimla Cottage around 18.00 the place was stowed. I had advised Waseem of our visit but had not made a booking. No fear, Waseem marched straight towards us as we entered and welcomed us back. Curry-Heute may have helped Wase
em recognise us, his beard made it difficult to reciprocate.
The Staff were plentiful and hardworking. Complimentary Poppadoms and Spiced Onions arrived in an instant, the drinks order was taken with equal efficiency.
The Menu had to be studied. Last time there was a Specials Board with Lamb on-the-bone on offer, this has gone. Waseem passed by, I asked if the Lamb Karahi had Capsicum. It had, but could be taken of. A Starter? Masala Fish? how could Hector not? Marg had spotted Lagan ki Boti, I would stick with the customary Lamb Bhoona Karahi, hopefully Bhoona would mean Minimal/Thick Masala. Chapattis as such were not on The Menu, Roti, and so I persuaded Marg to share a Plain Paratha and Mushroom Zeera Rice. Sorted.
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 Hot Chili in Krakow who recently picked up that if I didn’t wish Capsicum in the Curry, I wouldn’t want it elsewhere… I do like Capsicum, but not in Curry.
Hector decided the Masala Fish was not Curry, and so ate the lot! Fresh Tasting, Enjoyable, but would have been better without…
An upstairs venue in a stand-alone building at Coatbridge Sunnyside Station, parking is plentiful. Waseem told us that the windows have been changed since our last visit, indeed there is a greater sense of brightness within the dining area. Along from our window booth was the counter and the Takeaway area. Shimla Cottage was a hive of activity. Perhaps the Good People of Coatbridge do realise what they have on their doorstep.
The Mains were presented with a flourish. Indeed, one Waiter having seen the photographic activity removed the Curry from the table so as to claim his moment of fame. He had not heard of Curry-Heute, by now I thought everyone h
ad…
The Mushroom Zeera Rice was plentiful, enough to share. The Paratha was Perfection, Large, Fresh and Flaky. It is a pity that so many Venues serve up such poor examples of this fine bread.
The Lamb Bhoona Karahi had a Thick Masala, way more than Hector thinks a Curry needs. The Rice would do its job and soak up the excess. A Tad more Seasoning would have raised the level of pleasure. Still, there was little to be negative about. The Lamb was Sufficient in Quantity and amazingly Tender. Cutting the larger pieces with the side of the fork was simple. Quality Meat.
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.
Marg won The Watch
Wonderful !– said Marg as she tore in to her Lagan ki Boti.
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…
Waseem asked for an interim report. I had to relate Marg’s positive verdict. Rarely does Marg finish a Curry, Rice and Bread, what she left was merely scraps. I couldn’t help her, the Quantity of the Bhoona Karahi was testing.
Marg had her traditional White Coffee. Waseem enquired about the progress of Curry-Heute and my Favoured Curry Venues.
The Bill
£25.45. With a Starter! Great Value.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was presented once more, Waseem was particularly keen to receive one last time, now we have the deluxe version. Farewells were exchanged, a great visit.
This is a Mainstream Curry House serving Quality Curry at very affordable prices. The Service is First Class.
Can The Hector now claim Pensioner’s Rates?
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.
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 
