Having indulged in a Curry-Heute already there was no great plans for another. However, Steve mentioned The Words, he knows The Rule. Sitting in Reissdorf in Köln-Süd I still managed to play it down. If the Indian Curry Basmati House (Severinstrasse 53, 50678, Köln) is still open when we leave here then OK. There was a good chance as Reissdorf closes early on a Sunday.
Walking down Severinstrasse last night we passed the Masala Hut where Hector had Lunch earlier today. On approaching Reissdorf – Zum Alten Bräuhaus there was an obvious lack of light from the Curry House across the street. Ah, they’ve moved, to immediately next door to Reissdorf. With the entrance set back slightly from the street it was difficult to see in, presumably the premises were larger. Entering just after 22.30 this evening this was confirmed. The new premises are maybe Three Times larger, no more queueing for tables. The Chef was on the customer side of the counter, were they still open? He nodded in acknowledgement, Mein Hostess was sitting with the Family at the first table, she also confirmed our welcome. A few Tail End Diners were finishing off, we would be the Final Customers of this shift.
The Young Boy who we have watched having to amuse himself in days gone by whist his Parents were working brought the Menus. He is now old enough to participate in the proceedings. Gone are the Laminated Sheet menus, we now have more formal bound versions. New Dishes were highlighted, what to have?
Mein Hostess came to take the order, this made me decide to set The Challenge. The Curry as served here has always been Most Satisfying hence the frequency of the visits. There is a House Flavour. Steve ordered Lamm Madras, his Fall-back Dish. In a mixture of English and Deutsch the Hector Curry was set out – Lamb, Potato, Methi. I was interrupted to be advised that they cook with Methi. Extra Methi! We agreed the Extra Methi could be added in at the end or at the discretion of The Chef. Minimal Sos, Trocken. This list was memorised, not written. I heard it being relayed moments later to The Chef who also memorised the order. Lamm, Potato, Extra Methi, Minimal Sos, Trocken. It is now written. (Note to Self: what happened to Extra Seasoning and Scharf?) The Joy of being here when the place is quiet. During the day I might not have got away with this.
Boiled Rice comes as Standard across Europe. Steve asked if he could have a Naan instead, this wish was granted. A Plain Paratha for Hector then. If the Curry was up to Specification, Rice would not be appropriate.
Two reasonable-sized Bottles of Sparkling Water kept the Palates moist whist we waited.
By the time the Food arrived we were the Only Customers. A Young Waitress brought the order. Steve’s Curry was Red and Soup-like. Was I glad I had taken my approach. The Hector Curry looked Stunning. This is a Curry served in Deutschland, it is possible to secure The Outstanding in this Land. A Basket with Two Pieces of Bread, was set down, to share. Not quite Paratha, Thin for a Naan. Then another Basket came with Two Very Flaky Parathas, Success. This is exactly how I want a Paratha, I had just been presented with Two. Hog Heaven.
Very good – said Steve – Mmmm. He was clearly enjoying his Red Lamb Soup. I did not not feel the urge to sample it. The Mainstream Curry here is worth trying, I know. However, The Hector Curry had my full attention.
The Masala was indeed Minimal thus as Dry as I desire. Dried Green Herbs had been sprinkled on top at the point of serving. This gave the required confirmation of Extra Methi. The Seasoning was Perfect, The Kick was there too. Having questio
ned the veracity of the Lamb served across the street earlier today, there was no doubting that this was Tender Lamb. The Ratio of Lamb to Potato was Ideal, Chef had not skimped on the Meat. He passed the table en route to the rear of the room, I gave him the Thumbs-up. Had he in fact remembered me from previous visits?
This was an Outstanding Deutsche Curry, the Best by far I have ever been served outside of the Indian Mango in München. Steve scraped a sample from my plate. Of his own Curry he stated – A Serious Taste although it’s a bit runny. Very Tomatoey. Yours is….
Indeed it was. This is a Curry I shall not forget.
The Bill
€23.40. That’s under a (£) Tenner a Head. Great Value.
The Aftermath
By now Mein Hostess had acknowledged that she remembered me from past times. The Calling Card was issued again so as remind them of the details. I had to inform them that tonight’s was the Best Curry they have ever served me. The Young Waitress had better English and so did some syncing.
There had to be a Photo. Behold, the entire Staff wanted in on the act. The Chef was congratulated. Is he The Husband, The Father, The Wife is Mein Hostess? That’s how I have deduced it.
Hector may well pass through Köln sometime next year. Hopefully I shall be recognised. Whatever happens, the Photo of this Curry will be The Model for all future orders here.
The Rice came first, enough for Two. A Plate of Dark Curry then followed. This looked the part, a Rich, Earthy Masala and not excessive. As Dry as I’m going to get in Deutschland, apart from the 
The Chef had assured me in the summer that Capsicum is not used in this Restaurant. True to his words, they were in neither Curry today. The Vegetable Curry could not compete with the Achari in terms of Depth of Flavour but did add the Varied Textures this Diner was seeking. The Volume was not overwhelming but Rice had to be left. Nobody could eat that much Rice.
As if this city needed another Kebap House, Masala Hut has gone.
A half Poppadom resplendent with Cumin Seeds and the Dips were brought. The Waiter pointed to the Pickle and nodded. No more was said. I nodded in acknowledgement, I knew. I wasn’t falling for that again.
Around eight pieces of Tender Lamb provided the solids. An Interesting Vegetable would have been a welcome addition with hindsight. Back to inhale the Poppadom, Bloody Hell!
Today is a landmark day. There is only one day in one’s life when the announcement of one’s retiral is made. Where better than Reissdorf in 
Shortly after my first visit to 
How much are they going to charge us for this? asked Ian, £6 or £7? Wait and see. In most Restaurants this would at least £10.00 worth and be anything up to £15.00. Baked in Spice and served on its foil this is a joyous treat. The Hot Chilli Dip adds a certain je ne sais quoi. Success.
Shkoor arrived as the Starters were being cleared. The Double Take was inevitable, Mr Snax and Hector dining together. Have you had the Fish? I informed Shkoor that we were currently having a break to let the Starters digest before the onslaught of the Karahi. Time to chat, having said that 
The arrival of the Kilo of Goshat Karahi on-the-bone was greeted with great aplomb. Our attempt at a photo with both of us holding the Karahi was thwarted initially, my side was too hot to handle. By the time this was sorted I had a face-full of bones. Having dined with Ian twice now I have come to realise his facial expressions give away his level of enjoyment as much as the stream of – Oh (s)! We should start a Radio Show. Two Chaps doing what they love, eating the Best Curry available. The Lamb was at the top end of Tender, it came off the bone with little effort. The Chapattis had Girth, the receptacles to aid the transfer from Hot Plate to Mouth. The Oil collecting at the Base of the Karahi was scooped as it collected, The 
The Pile of Bones grew on each of our plates. Two could not do a Boneless Kilo justice. As ever I remarked on the Minimal Masala. How do they get this much Flavour? Ian has not had the 
Ian did observe the lack of Methi. He had experienced White Methi in India, a new ingredient to look out for. We both share a love of this Herb. Hector had assumed that it would be included this evening, next time I shall not take the chance. Note to Shkoor.
Chef Arshad was having his dinner at the table used by The Staff. Shorba? What? But as I have written before, one could not eat a 
We were permitted a small gap in the proceedings before Saeed brought the White Karahi. No sign of Khalid. This Kilo looked more substantial than what has been served up in recent weeks as part of a Two Kilo Order. We waded in. The Boiled Rice was enough for Two, The Mother would only manage less than half of this. Marg and Hector stuck to the Chapattis, authentic eating. I have had better Chapattis, these were on the Thin side. Three proved to be more than enough.
The intention this evening was to visit Hari at 
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 Punjabi Karahi had an air of familiarity. The Masala had an acceptable Thickness, there was a remnant of the Flavours of the old 
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 – 
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.
