A weekend in Aberdeen watching Hockey, the payback must be a Curry Opperchancity. Curry for Fifteen was arranged for this evening at the Bridge of Don branch of Shri Bheema’s (Balgownie Road, Nevis Business Park, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB22 8NT).
Prior to this there was a distraction or two, Hockey and Go Karting. The highlight of the morning was when the Umpire approached Hector at the side of the pitch after the first match to introduce herself. Gill is a reader of Curry-Heute. I’m hooked – was her admission. Having made contact in person, Gillian is now welcomed as a Curryspondent. If ever down in Glasgow, The Curry Club will take you to The Favoured Places. Read on.
Balgownie Rd is easy to find, finding Shri Bheema’s in the dark was not. Still there is no sign, one assumed this matter would have been sorted since the first visit. With the minibus towing a trailer 
the large car park outside Shri Bheema’s had the potential to accommodate. Who knew there would be a function on tonight? A minibus, a trailer, a cul-de-sac, joy.
Once everything was pointing in the right direction we entered the restaurant. Our table was set, Sajid was behind the counter. Greeting Saj by name impressed, I had read a reliable Curry Blog prior to arriving just to remind myself. I had also advised the girls that sharing a Rice was quite sufficient such was the portion received previously. Anitha, Mein Hostess, was nowhere to be seen, little did I realise she was quite close by.
Menus were provided and the Drinks order taken. Pints of Coke and Tap Water dominated. Hector opted for a litre Bottle of Sparkling Water (£3.99 – Jewel in The Crown take note.) Fifteen people would not be served in an instant. We were here – To Dine – and on Student Budgets too.
Starters were vetoed else those not ordering would have potentially faded to a skeleton by the time they would be fed. On opening the Menu there was a panic. Starters gave way to South Indian Dishes. Regular Readers will know of Hector’s preference for North-West Cuisine. There was nothing to float the boat. Marg mentioned a choice I hadn’t spotted, ah pages stuck together. Something similar has happened on their website. Where is the Hector Curry?
Only Marg and Hector would order Lamb. The Handi Masala described itself as fit for a Hector. Thirteen Chickens, we know what’s coming next. Julia, our Resident Kiwi and Marg’s Assistant enquired about Butter Chicken. Touring the table there was clearly a demand for this. Saj was consulted. The Nawabi Makhani is the new nomenclature for this Classic. Sally, Lucy M, Melissa and Katherine joined Julia in the Nawabi Makhani. How many Chicken Korma? Five also. Anina, Isabella, Iona, Lucy K and Vicki. Actually, Vicky and Melissa had agreed at the start to share each others. Quaint.
Virginia has yet to find a Curry she likes and so opted for Pakora. The Vegetable Pakora was described as Onion Pakora. With no Potato this was eschewed in favour of Chicken. Two Portions of Chicken Pakora (one plate) were ordered as a Main. Marg opted for Lamb Mughalai Saagwala, Heather impressed by ordering the Chicken equivalent. One suspects this Lady has had Curry before. And a Chicken Tikka Masala for Rowena!
There was a significant demand for Peshawari Naan, backed up with Garlic Naan and Plain Naan. The Paratha was a – Wow – on the last visit, Hector needed one. All of these Breads were £3.99. Marg chose the solitary Chapatti at £2.79. How much? Imagine a Diner from Bradford, where Rice or a Naan or Paratha or up to Four Chapattis are typically included in the price of the Main Course, visiting Aberdeen. Five Pilau Rice again at £3.99 a pop completed the order.
The Main Courses ordered this evening ranged from £9.99 to £11.99, potentially better value than seen last night at the Nazma Tandoori, however, we are well out of town.
Saj asked if I – would like Poppadoms for the table.
Are you giving? The reply was positive. We had considered these but putting £30.00 on The Bill for Poppadoms and Dips was a non starter. For the record, I had asked Anitha at the time of booking if there would be a surcharge for the large group. It is not the policy of Shri Bheema’s to do so, unlike the last Hockey Trip to Aberdeen when Nawaabs tried it on.
Anitha!
Anitha had been sitting at the adjacent table with a family. It was only when she stood up that I recognised her. She came over to talk to Marg and Hector. She assumed I was ordering the Fish Chettinad once again, Handi – The Bhuna. They have been renaming some Signature Dishes. Shri Bheema’s has been running a Food Festival in the last few days. We missed a choice of Forty Traditional Dishes this afternoon. I explained that this was our only time slot. Maybe next year I will have the time to come up to Aberdeen and dine at leisure, and learn?
It takes time to prepare the arrival of Fifteen Simultaneous Mains. Saj apologised for the wait. This gave us all time to chat. Mr Stelios released the Flights beyond October today. Plans can be made firm. Julia will be joining Marg and Hector in München in November, she too shall experience the wonder that is Indian Mango.
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 Curry-Heute Homepage. Having thoroughly enjoyed the Flaky Paratha served last time, this disappointed.
Topped with Flaky Onion the Handi Masala (second bottom of page) stood out from the array of Curry. As soon as Marg started her Lamb Mughalai Saagwala her remark was – You’ll like this. I was able to sample the end game, indeed I did. This Spinach Curry had the Herb strewn through it, far better IMHO than the Green Palak Masala that one usually encounters. Now make this with Methi and …
Lamb Mughalai Saagwala
The recently re-titled Butter Chicken Girls all enjoyed their Nawabi Makhani.
Katherine – That was really tasty, one of the best I’ve had.
Lucy M – Delicious, it was creamy and not too sweet.
Julia – It was quite spicy, really spicy actually. The choice of the chicken (pieces) was cooked to perfection. It was quite a creamy butter chicken. I though the garlic naan could have had a bit more more garlic.
Five had enjoyed The Baby Curry, aka Chicken Korma.
Anina – It was very enjoyable with a subtle hint of spice.
Iona – The chicken was really succulent. The right amount of spice and flavouring.
Lucy K – It was really tasty, one of the best Korma I’ve ever had. Not sure if it was worth the hour and a half wait.
Cue Hector’s opperchancity to describe why dining alone has its advantages. The Curry comes quicker and is fresher, no lying under hot lamps waiting for fourteen other dishes.
Chicken Pakora
Virginia had a mass of Chicken Pakora. More Sauce had to be arranged – to dip.
For a person who likes their Pakora I’d give it 10 out of 10 – said The Lady.
Handi Masala
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.
Have I forgotten anything?
Who ordered Chicken Tikka Masala? Rowena!
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.
Rowena – The chicken was very succulent. It was lovely and creamy with just the right amount of spice.
Chicken Tikka Masala
There we have it, a review for Chicken Tikka Masala on Curry-Heute. I’m almost tempted… but I know what lies in store in the next week, a surprise or two…
The Bill
£252.31. To keep things fair, everyone paid for what they ordered.
The Aftermath
Saj spotted the Karahi which had been wiped clean. This said it all. The Best Curry I’ve had in The City of Aberdeen in years. Anitha returned to express her thanks. Thanks for having us! Later on a certain Media Site we established that although Shri Bheema’s have a City Centre branch as well as this, they have combined their page so as not to compete.
I was told Chef has won an award for the last two years. With this Fayre, not a surprise.
Who wins awards?
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.
Lord Clive and Lady Maggie of Crawley are in town, something to do with a coincidental line-up of celestial bodies tomorrow morning. Their berth was booked two years ago, so who could have predicted that a very delicate Clive would present this evening?
That John and Hector would go for Curry-Heute after the day trip to Carlisle was never in doubt. The choice of venue was up for discussion. A Special Request was sent to 
Ayaz, Mein Host, must be amused, tonight he saw the circle completed. Ayaz was ably assisted by his Brother/Cousin Rana. However, the main cause for celebration was to have the Curry cooked by the hands of Chef Rashid.
Whilst we waited I risked making a nuisance of myself. Some Chaps at the adjacent table had ordered Pizza, this always amuses. That so many people come to this venue for the Pizza must say something about the quality, hopefully I shall never find out. Photo? Permission granted.
Sheer Joy, that is how Wonderful the Karahi is as served at the 
John loved his Curry but was intrigued as to how mine differed. He was finished first and so was happy to dip some Chapatti in the Mash at the base of my Karahi. More Methi – was his observation.
Stated at the start of the Main Courses was the proud claim: No curry house stereotypes!
Bhuna Gosht Adraki – Intensely cooked lamb with ginger, a specialty of Hyderabad – would be Hector’s Choice. This should be Thick and perhaps tending towards Dry. For a moment I considered asking for Potatoes to be added but then the consideration – let’s see what comes – prevailed.
The first dip of the Paratha was near scalding, patience. This gave me time to study the Paratha. The tell-tale sign of quality was manifested by the flakes of cooked Mince which gathered after I had broken the bread. This is how Hector now expects his Keema Paratha to be served, with the Mince pre-cooked. None of this pink, Donner-like nonsense.