It has been a while since Hector and Marg dined in Helensburgh with Alan and Tracy. That it is only two days since Hector last dined at The Akash (45 Sinclair St, Helensburgh, G84 8TG) must say something positive about the Fayre on offer.
Ashgar and Rashid, the Joint Hosts, have made it clear that they will cook whatever one’s heart desires. With this in mind, the order for the Hector Special #2 was placed on Thursday with Irfan as I completed the first Achari of this weekend. Lamb Methi Karahi Achari on-the-bone is the order that was given. Alan desired Tandoori Lamb Chops to Start, Two Portions of Lamb Chops ordered. Done. The Ladies would choose on the night.
Alan was somewhat reticent about the idea of Achari, Pickle is not high on his list of Favourite Ingredients in Curry, however, he trusted The Hector.
With a table booked for 20.00, a quick phone-call, or two, had this put back. We were early for the 21.00 rescheduled Curry Spot.
Ashgar took the Ladies order: Chicken Tikka Spinach Balti – Half Madras – with a Garlic and Coriander Naan was Tracy’s choice. One suspects she has enjoyed this before, and not a Dish that will be encountered on every Menu. Marg always has the The Akash Vegetable Pakora, her all time Favourite. A Lamb Karahi with a Chapatti would be 
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.
Lamb Chops
Ashgar was not sure what The Chaps had ordered in advance, Lamb Chops were in there somewhere. Alternative Starters were suggested, just in case. Alan opted for a Seekh Kebab, Hector the much appreciated Mixed Combo. For One. An Aloo Paratha was added too.
Cider
Being a night out in Helensburgh with this Company, normal CAMRA standards tend to be abandoned, Cider, The Wee Boys’ Drink. Cider Crisis. The Akash had run out. Alan offered to go and get more, I believe Irfan was sent across the road to a local supermarket. An elegant Sufficiency was purchased, the Price was also Right.
I’m a Great Big Sharing Old Hector
Here’s the Lamb Chops – said Irfan as he brought The Starters. For a moment I wondered. A Joke. – explained Alan.
Marg’s Vegetable Pakora had to be sampled, for Quality Control. This passed muster, always impressive. Alan and Tracy would share the Seekh Kebab, Hector’s Mixed Combo had Seekh Kebab, Chicken Tikka and Lamb Tikka. It was suggested that I offer Alan some Lamb Tikka, why? If he had wanted it he should have ordered it.
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!
Being a Saturday Night, the Interlude passed quickly…
Lamb Chops Methi Karahi – The Hector Special #2
Ashgar brought The Mains and made reference to Yadgar, as in having to compete with.
As everyone must have guessed, the Lamb Chops were used to make the Hector Special #2. For once I didn’t count the Chops, there was a Sufficiency. The Chops were piled high and smothered in a most inviting Masala. Chef Rashid knows how Hector likes his Curry, the Masala was Seriously Thick. The Kick was as Intense as the Overall Flavour. The Pickle element was there but did not overwhelm, perhaps the Herb Content, the Methi, had balanced this? This was an Outstanding Curry, as good as last night’s, at Yadgar! Indeed!
The Aloo Paratha did its job too, well filled and not the soggy mass served in so many establishments.
As mentioned, Alan was not especially positive about the prospect of Achari, his mind has been well and truly altered. Alan knows Outstanding Curry when he encounters it, this is now available on his doorstep, no doubt he will add a few words…
Meanwhile The Ladies Dined
Tracy tore a slice off the Naan which was large enough to compete with the Alishan. Her Chicken Tikka Spinach Balti disappeared, thoroughly enjoyed also by all accounts. However, The Lady who famously eschews Lamb was seen sampling a Lamb Chop.
Things were going so well, it couldn’t last. Marg’s – Very Red – Karahi was found to be be – Too Spicy – for her palate. She tickled it. Ashgar offered to take it away and replace it with something less extreme. The replacement was tickled also. Only now did Marg admit to Match Teas having been consumed after her Hockey. The Pakora had filled her, Doggy-Bag.
The Bill
£80.45. Given the quantity of food, Cider and even Bottles of Cobra… Great Value.
The Aftermath
Ashgar suggested he would like to visit Yadgar. Hopefully we can find a date when he and Rashid can take the time off and accompany The Hector. Meanwhile they can take pride in the Quality of Curry being served at The Akash in Helensburgh.
Have I mentioned the nights are fair drawing in?
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)!
It’s not the First Time Steve and Hector have Dined Twice in One Day at the 
The Fish Chettinad was not as Spicy as yesterday’s and was certainly mild compared to this morning’s Lamb. Steve was in agreement that the Portions have shrunk as he once again tucked into his Lamb. Not as I remember it – was Dr. Stan’s verdict. He is correct, this Dish has changed. Marg enjoyed the Crunchiness from the Breadcrumbs on the Fish. Well worth waiting for, lovely and crunchy, full of flavours, delicious.
The Bill
Lamb Chettinad Today
Spicy? Indeed. This Chettinad would be taking no prisoners. The Tender Lamb was served in Relatively Large Pieces. The Masala was as Thick as yesterday’s Fish equivalent. As Wonderful as this Dish is, the Fish packs even more Flavour. By now I was wondering if the could be a second visit – Heute!
Jolly departed and bade farewell, until April. I ate on, Hector was Glowing, loving every Morsel. This Interpretation of Curry is Unique, to come to 
There was a warm welcome from Herr Battra, Mein Host who has been ever-present for some years now. As our visit continued and more Lunchtime Diners arrived it was amazing to observe the welcome, there is clearly a very Loyal Customer Base, it was like an episode of Cheers.
Has the portion size shrunk, the Bowls seemed Smaller. Does this mean the start of another Curry-Heute campaign?
There was time for a Bier, and maybe another.
Oh, the staff were hosing down the outside stairs as we departed…somebody had disgraced themselves. Still no more Photos!…
