The Company was out in force today, Fifteen of us assembled at Hawkshead’s Spring Beer Festival in Staveley, Cumbria, not to be confused with Staveley in Derbyshire. Who booked accommodation there? Only four of us were on for Curry-Heute, the choice of venue was simple, a quick return to Nice & Spicy (2 Church St., Lancaster, LA1 1NP). A quick return was planned but walking along Church St. from the other end we failed to see this Indian Takeaway. Howard, Tracey and Hector took refuge in The Sun and had time to pinpoint the locus. This also gave Steve a chance to catch us up, he was still in transit, somewhere.
Entering Nice & Spicy around 20.00, one of the three stools was occupied by a Lady assembling a Takeaway order in a thermal bag, this was Sue. She smiled in recognition and immediately produced her phone. Not remembering the Website name I set her T’internet Challenge – Google – UK Curry Blog. And so Curry-Heute was accessed, being first up on this Google Search. She was amused by the use of Doris and introduced me to Nora behind the counter who was today’s Doris. Last night’s Doris was actually called Mickey. Nora was soon into the Spirit of our visit, excellent.
Sham was again called for, hands were shaken, he had now accessed Curry-Heute and knew what I was about. Three more of the same, Paratha’s too. Being busy we were again advised of the Thirty Minute wait, once more Poppadoms and Dips were provided in a flash to keep us amused. Steve arrived at the end of the Nibbles, the order was duly increased.
An hour and a half was the waiting time customers were being advised over the phone. One reads of customers being frustrated at how long a Takeaway Delivery can be. This business is doing very well indeed. This evening they had Diners and Standing Room only.
Nora brought out the Curry then the Parathas. One of three female front of house staff, they were all dressed as Waitresses despite being a Takeaway Venue, very formal and a good touch. This place has set itself a high standard. At times the front of house was mobbed, at others empty as the Delivery Drivers came in waves.
The Curry looked exactly as it did last night. There was Tender Lamb, lots of it, in a Thick, Dry Masala. Topped with Fresh Coriander this was The Business. Howard and Tracey were instantly impressed, this was Wonderful Curry. For Steve and Hector it was still Damned Good but having been blown away last night it was difficult to reach Nirvana again. The Seasoning was a tad under. However, the Spice level was subtle then creeped in. The Copious Tender Lamb was cooked to Perfection, the Flavour of the Lamb itself came through strongly. The Minimal Masala again at Bradford Levels. Sham would apologise later for not being able to spend enough time in preparation and also with us, he/they, were very busy.
A Bespoke Lamb Curry
The Parathas were again Thin and Flaky with a bit of Crispness, definitely the Best of Accompaniments for this Superb Dish. We ate, three of us perched on stools, behold the plastic forks. Steve had to stand.
This was a lot of Curry, double the Portion served in the Mainstream. Tracey was well beaten.
Can you do a Takeaway – I asked one her behalf?
The Bill
£27.95. This paid after eating, unlike last night where we paid in advance. For Four with Bottled Water, Hector knows how to show people a good time..
The Aftermath
Sham had his photo taken once again. I shall probably miss the Summer Festival at Staveley and so it will be next year when I’m back in Lancaster. I shall return to Nice & Spicy, this has put Lancaster firmly on Hector’s Curry Radar.
Update
Nice & Spicy closed in 2021.
Doris called through to the back, the Kitchen. Mein Host, Sham, came out and The Hector Curry was described: Tender Lamb, Methi, Dry, Thick Masala, Seasoning and NO Capsicum. Sham was happy to do this. Parathas? These were not on the Menu, Sham said he hadn’t done one in ages – Plain, Flaky. Sham said he had been just about to go home but would stay to cook for us. Doris was bemused. Poppadoms and Dips were immediately offered – on the House – said Sham.
Sham brought out the Curry himself. As soon as I saw it, I knew. His colleague brought the Parathas, again spot on. The Aroma in Nice & Spicy is Heavenly, the Taste-buds were in overdrive, and this was merely in anticipation.
I feel as if I’ve been eating for twenty minutes and I still have twelve pieces of Lamb left.
The Paratha was so good I had to hold it high. We were in that – Special Place. Not since 
It was during the last visit to the 
A Lady brought the Modest Salad and Two Dips, Raita and the Red Chilli Sauce. She is Spanish and speaks next to no English. Just another Crazy Dimension to add to the 
Minding my own business, the Three Lamb Chops I had to enjoy were how I like them… Dark and Crispy on the Exterior, not too Moist inside. Charcoal and Spice, this was a Lamb Chop, or three.
One could see Dr. Stan’s anticipation. It matched my own. Meanwhile Marg observed the bone content, she is becoming used to it.
The Lamb Karahi was not too Spicy, enough. It’s all in the Flavours. Dr. Stan instigated a comparison between this Lamb Karahi and the Goshat Karahi at 
The Bill
This Curry was Piping Hot, we had to let it cool before the enjoyment could begin. If this was a case of what could be rustled up, then Gosh! Lamb Chops and Boneless Lamb featured along with a Sufficiency of Potatoes. The Customary 
We thoroughly enjoyed the 
From the first mouthful Hector was taken to – that Special Curry Place. One has been trying to describe the Pleasure that is 
There was an outburst of Mmmm- fantastic on my right. Dr. Stan was loving it. With the subtlest of Sweet and just a hint of a Creamy Texture, the Goshat Karahi is Dining Heaven. The Lamb on-the-bone separates so easily, the Joy of Glasgow Curry, 
Meanwhile Across The Table
The monthly RSGS lecture at the Victoria Halls is always preceded by a Curry, traditionally at the 
There was a sufficient gap between Starters and Mains, a Couple took seats on the Dias where I usually sit when dining alone. Four Seated Customers, however the Takeaway Trade was brisk.
Both Karahi and Plates were cleared, – pleasant – was Steve’s take. Our last Curry outings together were in 
The Bill
her comment about Food Colouring, who has trained her in this way of thinking?
I thought it was lovely, a nice kick, a rich masala with a good texture. There was a slight sweetness, I thought there was cinnamon at first, but then, no.
The Aloo Methi Gosht was certainly Dry and Thick. As before I had to dig beneath the more obvious Potatoes to find the Lamb, more than enough. I was distracted when the Keema Paratha arrived, was this in the Preferred Style?
And so for the Aloo Methi Gosht. There was a Thick, Leafy Masala giving off an almost Musky, but certainly Earthy Flavour. The Lamb was served in relatively Large Pieces, although Tender, there was an appropriate amount of chewing required, far from the dreaded pulp. The Potato served sufficiently as the Interesting Vegetable, this was a worthy Curry to set before The Hector.
Four Lamb Chops served with a Salad, hold me back. Marg had been presented with Two Poppadoms, Two Portions of Spiced Onion and Something along with the required Mango Chutney. The Onions travelled west. Four Lamb Chops, Salad, oops Marg snaffled some of this, and the Spiced Onions. The Chops were cooked through – Durch – I told Asfand that these were the best Lamb Chops I had ever been served at Akbar’s. Succulent, and well Spiced, the quantity was enough to satisfy without fear of excess. Tracy doesn’t eat Lamb, so the story goes. She dispatched her Lamb Chops like a professional. Alan suggested that next time we dine at Helensburgh’s 
Alan noted that Asfand did not give us a time for the Mains. It is a Saturday night, the place was stowed. The piped music was occasionally interrupted by Happy Birthday. 
Marg’s Karahi Fish looked the genuine Bradford Curry. The Fish was cut into small shreds, the Masala was Dark, Thick, of course I sampled this. That a Doggy Bad was necessary says something about the quantity. This has also given Hector a chance to appreciate the Dish. A wonderful Kick, the something special that Fish adds to Curry. Hector may be sneaking out for Karahi Fish soonest.
The Karahi Gosht was a disappointment, yet so much of the experience was as desired. The Seasoning hit first, a plus. The Spice level was also spot on, so why the disappointment? The Bradford – Wow! – was not there. The Lamb was cut small, in the Bradford way. The Lamb was both Tender but slightly Chewy. The Masala was Dry and Thick as expected, dipped with the Flaky Paratha this was fine, but…
Concluding the exchange of pleasantries with Manoj, Hector announced – Let’s eat Curry. I had to ask for a recommendation and was directed to the Masala Zing Desi Style section, the Desi Handi stood out. At £10.95 this is a bit steep. Perhaps they should reconsider the base price of The Mains this side of Charing Cross. A Paratha would accompany. No Rice this time.
The Paratha was Perfection, Flaky, exactly how I like it. The First Dip in the Masala took me back a couple of years. This was still very much in the 
Nasif, one of the three behind 
Manoj and Nasif were happy to pose outside under the new livery. It was agreed next visit I shall try the Achari Gosht. There most certainly shall be a next time, the Desi Section of the Menu is extensive, affordable Fish too. I must meet Chef Akhtar again.
Hector is home, most of The Company are at the Derby Beer Festival this weekend, leaving Jonathan to join Hector for Curry-Heute, where else but the 
Karela, Salt, Methi, Spicy.
From behind the counter, Ayaz looked across and nodded once. In reply I nodded three times. He knows.
