Dr. Stan and Jonathan declined the invite to join Hector at the Lahori Dera (433 Cheetham Hill Rd, Manchester, M8 OPF). They had both been before, how could they resist? Steve on his first Trip to Manchester was definitely up for it. As we assembled at Piccadilly Station after our day in Sheffield, Craig declared that he was hungry. He and Yvonne would join us. This made the taxi fare up to Cheetham Hill more affordable, Hector was going regardless.
Knowing that Saturday nights can be busy, I phoned ahead and booked a table, Hector’s arrival was thus announced.
The Tractor remains at the doorway, how long would this last in other cities? Cue a photo. There was a Crowd in the private room to the left as we walked in through the vestibule, Families and Children, best isolated. The main room was about a quarter full. Mein Host greeted us and marched us to the top end of the room, a table for four next to the Stage. My Three Co-diners had never seen a venue like this. There was a sense that this would be an experience.
Mein Host brought the Menus which are still Broadsheet Newspapers, half written in a language that meant nothing to us. The question of the Water had to be raised.
Are you still going to charge us for Water? – I asked. Not you – was the reply. I asked for a Bottle of Sparkling Water, this I expect to pay for. Poppadoms and Dips would be provided. These came in a flash, Mango Chutney Sauce and Spiced Onions. A Litre Bottle came too, not the fliptops but the sealed variety. The Water was poured, no bubbles. Hector had negotiated a Bottle of Still Water.
Despite my preference for on-the-bone, I waived this to enhance Steve’s enjoyment. We would share a Kilo of Lamb Karahi (£25.00). No bones, how could we eat that much? Craig and Yvonne had to study the Large Menu, a Starter to share and Mains. A Seekh Kebab with Chilli Chicken Masala was the order across the table. Craig would ask for a Mild Curry. Ask for whatever you desire – was my instruction, they can surely cook whatever you ask for.
Having seen the Kulcha last night at Lal Qila, Steve was keen to try one. Craig too was on board with this, something different, Rice too for across the table.
Mein Host came to take the order, I made my usual statements about Seasoning and Methi. He insisted that Methi is not part of this Dish, I accepted the advice. I know what is served here is at the top end of the Pleasure Spectrum, let’s not interfere. Lamb for us, Chicken for them. Craig insisted he wanted something – Light. Chicken Curry, when will people learn?
The comings and goings within the room were a sufficient distraction. Time passed very quickly whilst The Chefs at the far end of the room in the Open Kitchen were set to work. The Seekh Kebab arrived.
Normally a Portion is Two, this was Three and each was 50% larger than the Norm. How to eat a Main Course after this?
Craig insisted we sample the Seekh, this indeed worth a sample. Light in colour suggested Chicken. Very Spicy, help yourself – said Craig. We did. Craig enthused, – the flavour’s fantastic. That’s bloody good. Success.
The Chilli Chicken Masalas started to arrive before the Seekh Kebabs were finished, not as should be. A Basket of three halved Kulcha accompanied, these were remarkable. Much Thicker than those served in The Curry Mile, and covered in Sesame Seeds, these were Substantial. A new Standard has been set. The Mancunian Standard?
The Steve and Hector Curry was served on the Large Flat Metal Karahi. This is a Kilo? We’ll have no problem with this.
The Lamb was Magnificent, Dry does not even do this Dish justice. The Minimal Masala shrouded the Meat. First The Kick registered, then The Seasoning. This was going to be a memorable Curry.
The lack of red brought Waris’ White, or Namkeen, Karahi to mind. Where were Howard and Tracey? At The Marble Arch with Jonathan. The Kulcha was used as a Base for the Lamb then used to mop up the Masala Residue on the Karahi. A Portion had been decanted to the Plate, once devoured an identical sized Portion replaced it. I signalled to Steve that I was approaching my limit. Still there was Curry left. Defeat was staring at us.
Meanwhile Craig, with knife and fork in hand, was employing his best Edinburgh Table Manners to tackle his Chicken on-the-bone. Fruitless at times. It became apparent quickly that the Chilli Chicken Masala was – OK – nothing special. Yvonne found it to be – very salty. There was hope. Hector-the-Magnanimous spooned some of the Surplus Karahi on to Yvonne’s and Craig’s plates. Craig was instantly impressed. This was within his Spice Tolerance, the Flavours were appreciated. That was the end of The Karahi, abandon the Chicken.
Two out of Three – was Craig’s verdict. The Seekh Kebab and the Karahi were Excellent, the Chicken not impressive. Chicken Curry?
The Bill
£50.10. Half of this was One Dish. Prog Curry?
The Aftermath
Tonight Three more Weegies have experienced the Lahori Dera. Hopefully more visitors to Manchester will flock here. Mein Host informed me that business is growing steadily. The Karahi served here is Truly Special.
Mein Host arranged a taxi to take us back to the Northern Quarter and a rendezvous with Jonathan at 57 Thomas St. Craig and Yvonne continued to the Ibis. For them the night was over. Steve and Hector still had some catching up to do.
I hope to return to the Lahori Dera in September as a Lone Diner. Will they serve me Half a Kilo?
Approaching the counter in 
The Lamb Mince Curry also had Potatoes, even better. Peas would have been an extra luxury.
It is once again the Weekend of the Manchester Beer Festival, most of The Friends of Hector attended yesterday, however being the Professional, Hector did not arrive in the city until 20.30 this evening. Steve was in tow, his first Manchester visit. He would not see much through steamy windows as we sprinted by taxi to the Upper Brook St. Travelodge then onwards to the Velodrome. The Met Office had led Hector to believe this weekend would be dry, had Friday night been checked? It was chucking it down.
Lal Qila is in the heart of The Curry Mile. Greeted by a Young Spanish Lady, we were shown to a non-window seat table. Only a handful of the many tables were occupied. Before we had taken our seats the Lady enquired as to our desire for Poppadoms.
I recommended sharing Lamb Chops to start. I had noted Four Chops in a Portion, not the cheapest, but sharing is the best of both worlds, the Taste and Satisfaction achieved, the appetite is not challenged thereafter. When I asked our Waiter for them to be well-done, Steve was slightly alarmed.
For The Mains, we would both have Lamb Methi but let’s highlight what made me return to Lal Qila. The Fish last year was – Wonderful – but it was the array of choices, Lal Qila has a Hector Menu, I could eat here every day of the week and have something different. Next time a Lamb Chops Karahi. The Menu here is as good as anything presented in Bradford and my favoured Glasgow Curry Houses.
The Lamb Chops were served on a Sizzling Platter with Onions, a touch of 
Wow! The Masala looked Very Rich and not Excessive. Not as Dry as a Bradford Curry but certainly on the right side of Masala-Meat Ratio. Safe in the knowledge that Methi was present and with a Fresh Coriander Topping, this Dish had us won before we commenced the eating.
£42.90. The Bar was £9.40. There was a £1.00 charge first in the list. The Dips were not Complimentary then?
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 
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.
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 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.