It was written, there would be Curry served to Hector one night of the four on the School Trip to Iceland. Price, and Proximity to the Hotel Cabin were the constraints imposed. Bambus (Borgartúni 16, 105 Reykjavik) is a five minute walk, what was paid for Twenty Nine dinners shall remain a mystery. The pupils would be served Cod with Rice and Vegetables, Marg, Hector and Steve would be served Fish Curry. This is not an Indian Restaurant, but Asian. Curry was on The Menu, Hector shall never discover the Efficacy of what was listed.
The Weans were given an upper room to the rear of the restaurant. This worked out well. There were four other diners which puzzled as Bambus is not normally open on a Sunday. Our 18.30 booking was put back to 19.00 as another group were there before us.
Soup
Calm! This was the Starter. Garlic Soup, Spicy, Creamy and Tasty with both Red and Green Capsicum. This was very pleasant. Before The Reader thinks The Hector has totally lost it, I have no problem with Capsicum anywhere but in Curry.
cod curry
Two of the smallest pieces of Fish set before an adult were accompanied by a Hemisphere of Stodgy Rice and an array of al dente vegetables. A Sauce had been poured over the Fish. The Masala? Initially we guessed that this could be the Soup revisited. It may well have been.
Cauliflower, Onion, Celery, Brocolli, Carrot, Courgette and Capsicum on one plate. A good combination, a variety of Textures. The situation was one of eking out the quantity, taking it slow else it would have been gone in a flash. The Cod had to be fresh, the North Atlantic was one block away, the harbour along the road. A Portion twice this size would have been more satisfying, Still, Refreshingly Enjoyable.
It was curry, Jim, but not as we know it.
Tomorrow, home, Curry Calls…
Water with gas? I asked more in hope than expectation.
On departure I left a British Couple placing their order. One suspects this venue is doing well and this may well be on merit, not by chance. Opening at 16.00 was a master-stroke as far as Curry-Heute was concerned.
Rashid at 
This is a School Trip, conceived two years ago, Twenty Six Weans and Three Staff, such are the Expectations of working at a Top Independent School in the West of Scotland. This trip is very much Hector’s – Last Hurrah – before retiring in June. I may not have mentioned this for a few Postings. The original plan was Jordan, to gaze back across the Jordan Valley from the East Bank and perhaps even cross over to Emek Hayarden where the Yarmuk meets the Jordan River below – 
Marg was stiff finishing her coffee upstairs when Steve and Hector entered Hradlestin just before 11.00. We were advised of the opening time but took our seats opposite the Food Displays regardless.
The Samosas could not have been Smaller. The Food was not particularly Warm, just in?
Shalimar (Austurstraeti 4, Reykjavik 00101) as the first Venue located. The sign said it is a Pakistani outlet, there was hope. But. Opening at 16.00 the notice on the door said. The Menu displayed on the window included a Lamb Punjabi Karahi. What chance a Lunchtime Curry then another at 16.00? For Research Purposes, Dear Reader.
This would not open until 17.00, their loss. 17.00 was when Hector had to meet the returning Whale Watchers.
hen Eldhus (Laugaveur 60a, Reykjavik 101) was not far from the main Hradlestin, again closed. This venue admitted to selling Nepalese Cuisine. Hector would only consider this as a last resort.
Poppadoms and Spiced Onions should keep the Hector amused during the wait for The Main Event. Little did Hector know that the wait would be lengthy. The Karahi Bhoona on-the-bone was being prepared from scratch. Lucki assured me, more than once, that the best things in life are worth waiting for.
ob. Hector admires a young man who has taken over these premises and is currently renovating another in Edinburgh. Where? Perhaps Hector will be invited to sample the Fayre there too?
Hector had deliberately not mentioned Methi or Dry when ordering the Karahi, it was felt fair to discover what the Chef thinks is his best work. What was presented looked very interesting. The Masala was visible but not excessive and was topped with Spring Onion and Fresh Coriander. The Texture was complex with more than Onion giving the opulence. Pieces of Boneless Lamb were mixed in with Rib and Shank – The Sucky Bones. The Marrow adds such an extra dimension to the Flavour of Curry, those who eschew this know not what they miss.
The Aftermath
There will most certainly have to be a return visit.
the large car park outside 
The Main Courses ordered this evening ranged from £9.99 to £11.99, potentially better value than seen 
Everything arrived as together as was realistic. Let’s start with the negative. The Chapatti and the Paratha were too pale, tiny, certainly not worth the over-inflated Aberdeen Bread Price. The Naans were further along the table and were served in pieces, Hector prefers to see the Naan in its full splendour, cf the 
Katherine – That was really tasty, one of the best I’ve had.
Virginia had a mass of Chicken Pakora. More Sauce had to be arranged – to dip.
The Handi Masala was Dark, Rich, Thick, exactly what Hector seeks in Curry. The Reddish hue reflected the Tomato content which complemented the Onion. The Seasoning is Perfect – was the first Hector utterance. To achieve the Perfect Harmony of Tomato and Onion in the Masala takes great skill. The Masala was full of Flavour. The Spice level was significant, not excessive, ideal. There was a Sufficiency of Tender Lamb presented in large Pieces. This was easily the best Curry I have had in The City of Aberdeen in years. I know where Marg and Hector will have their next Aberdeen Curry, and probably the one after that.
Julia and Marg only managed half of their shared Rice. Rowena’s share had long since gone, in she went. It was then I realised the table which had groaned with Bread, Rice and Curry was bare. We had eaten the lot, zero waste. No Sparrows here.
This would be a weekend without Bier, it most certainly was not going to be a weekend without Curry. Hector finds himself in Aberdeen, the Designated Driver for the Hockey Tour of a Top West of Scotland Independent School. The Young Ladies are scheduled to have Curry tomorrow evening, tonight they chose Pizza in Union Square. Hector crossed the road to visit the nearest source of Curry – Nazma Tandoori (62 Bridge St., AB11 6JN, Aberdeen). Time was when the Curry here was a stand-out, then the 
A Mature Waiter began the noting of the order for the large group. That I could be here all night became a matter of concern. Another Young Waiter spotted the international sign of ready to order, the ignored menu. I ensured that no Capsicum would feature despite it being a non-listed ingredient. In the spirit of Dry Methi Rules, I asked for a Sprinkling of Dry Methi to be added on top. At £14.45 for the Lamb Karahi, this is more than I am used to paying for a complete meal. £4.00 for an Aloo Paratha is the going rate in the City of Aberdeen where Bread is basically a rip-off. For the record, a Chapatti is £1.70 and Fish Curry comes in around the £20.00 mark, ouch!
The Palate waited for The Hit. The Karahi was under Spiced, no Kick. Six Large Pieces of Lamb comprised the Meat content, the Lamb gave nothing to the Curry in terms of Flavour, however the texture of the Lamb was Excellent, this was Quality Lamb. Still I waiter for Flavours to emerge. The Onion content was Excessive, the classic Onion-overdose. Large Pieces, too many, I can imagine the Capsicum I avoided. The Onion killed the Karahi. The Masala was suitably Thick and Minimal, so was the Flavour. Still I waited in the hope of the Herbs to perform their Little Miracles, nothing. This Curry was approaching – Bland. Killed by Onion.
It is pleasing that there is a choice of decent Curry Sources in Helensburgh, Hector still thinks there is one Pretender too many. Hector was the first of the Evening Diners at 
Entering just on 17.00, we were Five customers by 5.15. By 18.00 we numbered Fourteen, including a colleague and family. The Pre-theatre Menu was the attraction for some, Hector as ever would dine a la Carte. Zak brought a Complimentary Poppadom and a generous Bowl of Spiced Onion, as he did for all. This is how it should be.
One Small piece of Lamb, Two pieces of Chicken on-the-bone and Two Fair-sized pieces of Chicken Tikka. The Chicken on-the-bone was dispatched first. This is served as Chicken Chat in many establishments, too little to become excited. It was a similar story with the modest piece of Lamb Tikka. The Spicy Flavours were just emerging when it was gone. Two Pieces required here.
The Methi Sprinkling could now become The Norm when Hector dines in the Mainstream, Quality Assured.
Profligate, Moi?
Two late nights in Helensburgh this week, another opperchancity for direct comparison between the long established 
The Mixed Combo had the usual two pieces of Chicken Tikka, Lamb Tikka, but less Seekh Kebab than the norm. The Chicken Tikka is what completes this Dish. What? Hector being positive about Chicken? One will admit to having enjoyed Chicken Tikka Masala some Thirty Years ago, when it was new and different. Most have moved on. Still, the Chicken Tikka was Succulent and easily cut with the fork. The Flavours were Subtle compared to the intensity of the Lamb Tikka. The Seekh Kebab was drowned in the mass of Solid Meat.
The 
I am glad to report that despite the Starter everything set before Hector was consumed. I hate wasting food.
Normally – The Bill – would appear at this point in the Curry-Heute Blog. Marg announced her imminent arrival.
‘Tis Das Ritual, a day at The Staggs, Musselburgh, concludes with Curry at the 
Maggie was happy to order a Mixed Pakora instead of a recognised Main Course. This was a Feast, if only there was room…
The Seasoning was right on the limit. The Luxurious Vegetable Oil collected at the Base of the Karahi in time honoured manner. The Spice, The Flavours … The Mash.
The Vegetable Parathas were Huge, well stuffed, Flaky even. It became most apparent that it was eat the Paratha or finish the Curry. No prizes then.
Marg and Maggie ordered from the Menu, Tikka Pasanda Nawabi Chicken and Lamb Pakora respectively. The Special Rice would accompany the Chicken – Mushroom, Fruit and Peas.
More Seasoning – was the only the only improvement I noted. This was a Great Curry, enhanced by the Herb-Rich Paratha.
New Cafe Punjab is no more. The premises are now selling the unmentionable other – C – word.