Everyone surely has their favourite Local Takeaway, Hector unfortunately does not. In the past I have mentioned The Clydebank Curry Taste, everything comes out pretty much the same. It was in Clydebank where, once upon a time Rogan Josh was first experienced as a Creamy Dish with Nuts, far removed from the familiar Helensburgh Akash (Original). One is envious of those with Yadgar as their Local Takeaway, to an extent.
Suppose, just for a moment, that there was a Takeaway in Clydebank that was serving Outstanding Curry and Hector was unaware. Given the dark nights, driving to The City to eat at the familiar or go exploring is unattractive, time to explore the Hinterland.
Hot & Spicy (18 Alexander St., Clydebank, G81 1RZ) is a few doors down from the New Café Punjab. The latter sells perfectly competent Mainstream Curry (delivery until 23.00), but nothing particularly close to what I have come to recognise as Punjabi Cuisine. Tonight would be perhaps my fourth visit to Hot & Spicy, previously this has been when Hector was a very naughty boy. The Donner Kebab. One could feed a family of four with a Large Donner served here. The occasional indulgence.
Two Chaps resplendent in Red Polo-shirts were manning the Takeaway. Pizzas, Kebabs and Burgers are well advertised, Curry served until 11pm the signs say, – why? I had studied the Curry Menu whilst waiting for my last Donner, enough to tempt.
Can you make a Curry to my specification?
The Chaps exchanged glances, pen and paper were brought.
Tender Lamb, not Tikka.
No Capsicum.
Minimal Sauce – Dry.
This needed further clarification.
Not Soup with Meat swimming in it.
Extra Seasoning.
?
Salt.
Extra Methi.
Spicy.
Rice was discussed. Had I already given up on a – Dry – Curry? A Special Rice was mentioned. No Capsicum. Fruit was mentioned. Something different.
The Bill
£8.50. For £8.00 I could have had Meal A – which includes Curry and Rice with Poppadoms, Spiced Onion and Vegetable Pakora.
I was entertained by the non-scribe making a Pizza. A new Chap appeared from the Kitchen smartly dressed in blue shirt and tie, not The Chef then?
There was no sign of a Chef, no familiar scraping sounds. The Pizza was ready, a Blue Bag appeared, so did another chap in blue shirt and striped tie, from the street. He went behind the counter too. Bear with me, this is going somewhere.
The Blue Bag was handed over, in exchange I gave The Calling Card. Back to The Hector Mobile, but there was a keen look into the empty New Café Punjab. Spot The Chap in the Red Polo-shirt.
Photographic rituals completed time to tuck in. There was an oven reheat whilst the Hector prepared to settle. A mass of Rice complete with Mushrooms, Peas and … what were the Soft Yellow Bits? A Fruit, but which? There was enough Rice for Two Diners. I sampled this first, fine, but a Clove or Green Cardamom may have enhanced the experience.
The long tray Curry portion was substantial. Around Ten large pieces of Tender Lamb were smothered in Plenty Masala. So much for – Dry. Let’s try something new.
Tender Lamb, not Tikka. Yes
Capsicum withheld. Yes
Minimal Sauce – Dry. No
Not Soup. OK
Extra Seasoning. No
Extra Methi. Don’t know
Spicy. Yes
There was a definite Kick from the Masala which had no sense of added Herbs or Seasoning. Just a bit more Seasoning was required, so not too bad there. Wetter than I hoped for, but far from Soup, the Rice soaked up the excess Masala. Mushroom and Peas were the dominant Interesting Vegetables. This was typical Mainstream Clydebank Curry and there was lots of it. The Fruit? Peach I thought, tinned definitely. Gotcha. Enjoyable, well yes, Hector enjoys Curry. If anything it makes one appreciate The Favourite Places even more.
Where was this Curry cooked?
Back in the summer I spotted a Chap sporting a Turban walk in here from the New Café Punjab. This evening I spotted two Chaps dressed for Restaurant work, not a Takeaway. The Red Polo back in New Café Punjab? Curry served until 23.00. The Magical appearance of The Curry. The Fruit in the Rice. Here is an extract from the New Café Punjab Menu – Special Rice, Cooked with fruit cocktail, mushrooms & peas. QED.
Hector concludes that Hot & Spicy prepares Pizza, Burgers and Kebabs, only. Prove me wrong.
Update July 2016
With the closure of New Cafe Punjab, the Curry Chefs have moved in here.
Hot & Spicy is now officially Cafe Punjab too!
The New Karahi Palace
One always hears the Karahi before it leaves the kitchen. The taste-buds turn themselves on in eager anticipation. Usually too Hot to eat on arrival, the Chapatti strip is torn off, a Dip, Wow! Where have you been?
Hang on, the bones are piling up. Ayaz came over to ask the Customary Question, I pointed to my Discard Plate – Too many bones. You want Half Kilo? I gestured a Modicum More with my fingers. The Chef was set back to work. Before I could finish what was left a small bowl of Boneless Lamb was set before me – Superb! This is Service. There is no point being asked – The Question – and not giving an honest answer. Now Hector was in that Special Place.
This evening Dr. Stan was invited to choose the venue for The Friday Night Curry. 
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.
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.
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.