The intention this evening was to visit Hari at Punjabi Charing Cross, however on arrival around 21.00 the place was stowed. A Seasonal Party was in full swing, musik et al. Time for a Swift Exit. In fact, I never entered. I shall visit Hari before the year is over. Hector is long overdue.
I was almost heading to an unvisited Takeaway on Woodlands Rd. which has a couple of seats when Café Salma (523 Sauchiehall St, G3 7PQ ) caught the eye. Time was this was very much a Local. Count the visits on the right banner to this formerly splendid establishment. Last time I visited the New-co version, the Fish Curry was very disappointing. Lamb tonight, a second chance.
There were no customers but still I was shown to the alcove to where the kitchen used to extend. Tonight Hector would not be Window Dressing.
The Menu featured a range of Fish Dishes around the £15.00 mark, Pricey. Ah, the wonder of what was served here by Hassan. Punjabi Karahi (without) at £9.95, and to continue the nostalgic return – Mushroom Pilau. Poppadoms and Spiced Onion used to arrive moments after entering. The £2.59 charge meant dismissal. The Young Waiter took the order. Sparkling Water would accompany, I was then offered a choice of Biers. No thanks. He would return and offer me more Drinks later, No Thanks.
I had to look downstairs. The Facilities are located there plus the former Moroccan Room. This lay sadly deserted. Fond Memories.
The Punjabi Karahi had an air of familiarity. The Masala had an acceptable Thickness, there was a remnant of the Flavours of the old Café Salma which itself was probably a Village derivative. It appeared that Extra Onion had compensated for the banished Capsicum, but not excessively so. The Seasoning was a Tad under for this Palate, no specific Kick has been requested, this Dish tended towards the milder end of the spectrum.
The Lamb was of sufficient Quantity and Quality, enjoyable. The Mushroom Rice was enough to share, especially if Bread had been ordered. This was the Perfect Foil for the Masala. A return visit was being considered, this was far removed from the Insulting Fish.
The Bill
As written – £17.35. A bit on the high side. However, we’re not finished.
The Aftermath
The Waiter was doing the paperwork at the counter. I gave the Calling Card. This led to the summoning of Mein Host who expressed an immediate interest.
This is now the New-New Café Salma. The Chef-Akhtar, Waiter (& Co-host) Nasif and Manoj, Mein Host have a three-way interest in the current operation which has only been in operation for some months. The premises are due to be re-branded – Masala Zing. The New Owners ran a Café a couple of doors along, not The Tiffin Rooms, and so I know not.
The Menu will be overhauled. The Magic Words – We will cook your order to your specifications – were uttered. There’s a statement which Hector is already looking forward to seeing realised.
Hopefully I will be invited for the opening of Masala Zing.
Meanwhile there was a spontaneous 20% discount.
That’s the way to do it.
The intention this evening was to visit Hari at 
Not for Hector, for Marg! The Boneless Chicken came in a Substantial Portion. The Minimal Masala was decidedly Red, different from Hector usually receives. This was for Marg. The Citrus was to the fore – I was informed. The Spice Level was well within the Lady’s Tolerance. The accompanying Chapatti was put to proper use. Marg enjoyed her Curry but had to leave less than half. Doggy Bag!
The Masala was decidedly different from The 
Have you a new Chef from Afghanistan? I asked Shkoor. He said he would relay my comment to the kitchen. So, is there? Chef – Mr. Arshad – took the Thumbs-up as he moved from kitchen to storeroom. Who had prepared this? Ahmed?
The waiter had been busy observing the fixing of the Pizza Oven, I had to ask again for the previously ordered Mango Rubicon, service not exactly forthcoming. Again I felt I was giving a summons to place the order.
The Koftae Karahi was something else. The Masala was Thicker, the Spice content reminded me that Curry can be so. The Seasoning was closer to what was hoped for, probably as a result of this, the Overall Flavours were more Intense. The Portion consisted of at least half a dozen decent sized Meatballs with a Hard Boiled Egg smothered in the Masala. This was more like it. I would certainly return to have the Kofta again.
A tradition that has been lost in recent times was resurrected this evening. Steve and Hector were the two participants, however we were joined by colleagues passing through. The new 50mg Breath Test has put the wind up some, other would-be attendees fear the morra’. It’s a Friday Night, Bier and Curry Night!
at lunchtimes, re-decorate? The People of Helensburgh are not aware of what they have on their doorstep.
The Citra Flavours emerged immediately. The Masala was as Thick as Hector desires, the Methi present but not dominating. Dryness is relative, this was Dry-Dry. The Karahi was excavated, there wasn’t a molecule of Oil to be seen at the base. A Seriously Dry Curry. Once again the Lamb was Tender as Lamb can be. The Spice Level was off the scale, this was a demanding dinner. Cue the sweat beads. Spicy, Man. This Curry is among the Very Best ever ever served to Hector. The refined Hector Special #2 has now well and truly become The Hector Special #3.
Why are people only buying Takeaways? The Staff are lovely, the food outstanding. At least I know of two soon-to-be Helensburgh Residents who will become Regulars.
the Main Course. Lamb Karahi? This is where Hector came in on the Opening Weekend, this Dish has been tweaked a bit since then to create the Hector Special #1.
Sharing Starters is not Hector’s strong suit as the previous sentence insists. Still, knowing there would be Quantity as well as Quality this evening I parted with half of a Boneless Lamb Chop. Fear not, I had plenty left. This is a Wonderful Starter, Succulent and Spiced. If one is dining at the Akash on the A la Carte – Eat-all-you-wish Wednesday and Thursday, this is a must!
Those keeping the score will know that I do eat at 
Arriving bang on the scheduled 17.00, two families of mothers with weans were finishing their Teatime 
Shkoor and Son of Shkoor entered, yes this is what people look like stuffing their faces. Shkoor congratulated us for eating the Chops with our fingers – Good to see you eating properly. He could tell by the Companionable Silence that we were enjoying the Fayre.
The Quality Chapattis were relegated to scooping up the Richest of Masala, or holding on to the Steaming Hot bones at first. This was a day when I should be congratulating my Dumbarton Dentist for enabling the Gnashers to work with such reliability, still care was necessary, bones do break. Mags and Kenny stopped first, Dr. Stan and Hector invaded their Karahi, were they different? Perhaps. Mags took a Chop from ours. The Joy of Eating, we invited Shkoor to listen to Dr. Stan’s – Mmmmm-ometer.
Shkoor was behind the Counter, caught putting Curry in the Microwave. If I write about this, it’ll shut you down…
The 
Three Lovely Pieces of Lamb Tikka were presented. One has to wonder if the covering is commercial Tikka Paste or if they make their own. There was a Subtle Kick and the Seasoning was spot on. The Coating was Thick and Tasty, the Lamb Succulent beyond belief. I could even be tempted to have this as the basis for Curry, but still prefer Tender Lamb in the hope that it has absorbed the Spices. This was devoured, should I ask for another? Maybe for Dessert? Maybes.
The Lamb was wonderful, the minimum of chewing was required yet this was nowhere near the Pulp that is served from The Curry Pot in too many Venues. This was a Very Good Curry.
Hector was being spoiled once again. These took me back a couple of weeks to dining 
This morning Hector was in 
A second Karahi followed moments later with the Naan. Was this – to share? Ricky studied the portion, he studied Hector’s, was there an equivalence, was another Karahi imminent?
From this moment onwards Ricky could not contain himself. He has eaten here a few times and knows how wonderful the Karahi is, a Whole Half Kilo (sic)!
