This evening Dr. Stan was invited to choose the venue for The Friday Night Curry. Punjabi Charing Cross (157-159 North St, Glasgow G3 7DA) – We haven’t been for a while. Mags, Stewart and Hector were here just before New Year, tonight Mags was back with Kenny completing the gathering: The Curry Club.
With the winter weather still gripping Glasgow, I managed to get into town early an was able to meet Dr. Stan next door in the Bon Accord where no Light, Hoppy, 5% Ales were on offer. Quel Surpris. A Stout kicked off the weekend.
Mags and Kenny were already tearing into the Complimentary Poppadoms and Spiced Onions as we entered. More Spiced Onion required, not a problem.
More Poppadoms came too. Kenny would be happy, limitless Spiced Onion.
Ram was on duty at the 16.30 Friday opening. I may not have seen Ram since the after-Pallas Curry in November 2013. That Pallas have a new album out and are playing in Glasgow next month makes this feel even more of a gap.
This was Kenny’s first visit to the Punjabi and Mags’ second. The Keema Padora has to feature, Two, to share. This would give us a chance of completing a Main Course. Mags abandoned her favoured Aloo Gosht to try the Lamb Gurmeet. It’s not on The Menu – I advised Kenny. I explained how it is a combination of the Karahi Gosht and Lamb Methi, named after The Chef. Four Lamb Gurmeet, Four Chapattis. Simples. Ram informed us that fewer people are ordering this of late. Maybe the Good People of Glasgow need a reminder.
The Keema Padora
Lamb Mince served on a Puri. There is no Masala, there is Methi. Pleasure at its Absolute.
Two Quarters each. Everyone should eat a Whole One, once. Then forget about The Mains. I could eat this everyday. A Perfect Lunch? That is not a bad idea actually.
There was a sufficient break before The Mains to let the Padora settle, then Ram started bringing out the Karahi. Three at first. Dr. Stan was not waiting for the Chapattis. Kenny had his nose in the bowl to inhale the splendour that awaited. The Fourth Karahi arrived with the Chapattis, and we’re off.
Quantum Levels
The Lamb is served on-the-bone and whilst the Portion does not look huge, it is deceptive. Mags is still counting the pieces of Meat in every Curry after her starvation rations served at The Village. Yum – was Mags’s verdict.
This interpretation of Lamb Karahi is very Rich. The Masala is packed full of Flavour. Alternating with Masala on the Chapatti and Sucky-bones straight, the Dish could be enhanced with a Vegetable Side, but after The Starter, no chance. The Lamb came off the bone easily and there were no slivers of bone which has been a problem here at times, especially when Venison was served. The Seasoning and the Methi were exactly how The Hector likes it – Umami.
A bowl so clean I can see my face in it – observed Kenny who had ordered another Chapatti to ensure Total Satisfaction. Dr. Stan may have snaffled a bit of this. Hector and Mags were content with the Solitary Chapatti. Dr. Stan’s – Mmmmms – were barely audible this evening, suddenly he became quite verbose. A good melange. Three well chosen words from The Doctor. The Mmmmm-Continuum – he offered. What’s happening here?
Hari arrived just after we started The Lamb Gurmeet. He let us eat before coming up to the dais where we always sit. Kenny was introduced however this was a mere formality. Hari has seen Kenny’s face often enough in Curry-Heute in the past year.
Ram was keen for a verdict on The Curry. Always Consistent – was my instant response. Both Ram and Hari follow this Blog, they know this venue is on the List of Recommendations through merit.
The Bill
£58.35. Think about what Four could pay in a Poncy Restaurant in say The Merchant City. Hector is still recovering from a BBQ Pulled Pork Burger served earlier this week.
The Aftermath
Ram – You have over two million hits on your website. Have you ever thought about (taking) advertising?
Hector – Somebody has to approach me.
In discussion with The Chaps later they believe it unethical to take payment from my favourite places as it would compromise my impartiality. I’m not sure it would. Read the entry after Shahed entertained us at his home, it had to be written, a disappointing experience after Unforgettable Hospitality. Everywhere has an Average Day which therefore pre-defines Outstanding balances Unimpressive. Retiral looms, I would like to think I can maintain my Curry intake.
Did I mention how Consistent the Curry is at the Punjabi Charing Cross?
The Man who came in from The Cold
And so back out into the snow. Would the match be cancelled, the trains too?
We watched Twenty One Minutes of Football in the warmth of The State Bar before sense prevailed at Ibrox.
A Medium sized t-shirt, Jason?
Michara delivered the Curry in the largest pot ever seen with a Dozen Chapattis, some Buttered, some Plain. First glimpse of The White Karahi looked impressive. A sprinkling of Herbs had been placed over the 5.0kg of Curry. This did not look like Soup, it wasn’t.
There is a Barrel Party this afternoon, Lunch is required afore. A Snack, nothing Heavy, but why compromise and eat Bland? Babu Bombay Street Kitchen (186 West Regent St, Glasgow, G2 4RU) should serve my purpose.
I asked for something different and Vegetarian. Aviyal was the offer, a Vegetable and Coconut Stew. Rice was recommended as The Accompaniment. A choice of Salad on the plate became Raita.
Mags and Hector did not stand on ceremony, there’s only one way to eat Lamb Chops. Even Yvonne does that. The Seasoning and The Spice were Perfection, is Hector becoming a convert to Tikka-style Lamb after all these years?
Why did I have a Starter? Kenny said later that he thought this was for both of us. Whatever the difference was between the Karahi and Roshan Lal remains a mystery. I think I’ll be back soon to find out. Normally I would have invited myself to sample a New Dish, Hector had enough on his plate.
The Paratha was Huge and Flaky, just how Hector likes it, Superb. No way could I eat a whole one. The Paratha did accompany The first half of The Curry, thereafter volume insisted Curry alone. Meanwhile my Co-diners had destroyed the Roti Pile and were endeavouring to do the same to the Chapattis. We had a mass of Food.
There was also the realisation that Hector only has six more evening work commitments, Ever, in Helensburgh. Six more? As has been written previously, Hector has dined at the 
The Mixed Combo came with suitable haste. Straight into the Tikka Lamb, Gosh! The Subtle Spice and the Seasoning. Two Pieces, I left the second to the end. I could eat this all night. Maybe I should just order this? The Seekh Kebab was Fine, not Outstanding. The Two Pieces of Chicken Tikka were Superb. The Moist Chicken, Succulent in the extreme. Hector enjoying Chicken? Back to the Lamb, oh yes.
Ginger, however there was another Dominant Flavour which I recognised but cannot be sure of its identity. When in doubt, nominate Fennel.
Steve led the way- Mixed Starter, Lamb Methi, dry and spicy and a Keema Naan. £10.80, one can never have enough Keema. Hector too had spotted the availability of Lamb Methi and did not fancy Rice or Bread at this time. Aloo Gobi should make a Perfect Partner.
Steve’s Mixed Starter was a modest offering, especially when Hector cannot stop thinking about the Wonder that is the 
The Lamb Methi was Suitably Seasoned, the Aloo Gobi was Seasoned to Perfection. The Dry State of the latter worked well with the Wetter than hoped for Masala. A Range of Flavours were emerging, this was quite Impressive, not Champions League by any means, but better than the Second Division. The Lamb was sufficiently Tender, though Steve did question this and was immediately shot down by Hector and Mags. OK, so the Curry came out of The Lamb Pot, more Lamb would have been welcomed, but look at the price. Some of Mags’ Mushroom Rice found its way across the table, Fine. Hector had been Well Fed.
The Main Courses were Expensive, £12.95 up to £19.95. Tapas would win. Howard chose the House Lamb Curry with a Roti, £7.50 in total.
Fenugreek Kissed Potatoes seduced The Hector. This had to be explored, Methi. Keema Therapy featured Mince and Peas, plus a donation to charity. £9.50 in total, more than was paid for a for a Main Course two days previously in Bradford.
In a flat metal tray, reminiscent of army rations, came the the Potatoes. Bratkartoffelen are a particular Hector Favourite. What was served here was Special, better than any Pan Fried Potatoes Hector has encountered previously. The Fresh Onion provided a Diversity of Texture, the Mowgli Masala had a Magnificent Flavour. Imagine Mango Chutney meets Tamarind, Stunning! These are the Best Potatoes I have ever eaten – remarked Hector. This caused Marg and Howard to take note. At £3.00 perhaps better value than anything else we had ordered today.
The Masala-Soup was absorbed by the Vegetable Rice which featured Cabbage, Peas and both Sliced and Diced Carrots. Diced Carrots. The Combination worked well. Indeed the Hector Palate was stimulated. Was the Meat actually Lamb? The Firmness suggested otherwise. The Overall Portion of Curry and Rice was substantial, more than enough food for this time of day.
£16.70. A couple of quid above the average perhaps. However, this was indeed a Good Feed.
The Hector Curry was as Dry as anticipated. The Mushrooms in the Rice were tinned, not wonderful, and the Achari may have been lost between table and kitchen. Still, this was a Bradford Curry packed full of Flavour.
Craig too was in his element once again, waxing lyrical about the splendour of Bradford Curry. 
The Ladies loved their Fish Curry, one each, they could have shared. Both were defeated halfway. I sampled some of Yvonne’s. The intensity of Flavour was astonishing. Should I have ordered Fish? I’ll be back. Meanwhile Craig devoured the milder Marg – Fish Curry. This would set him up for the day, he might last to The Bells this year.
