August 30 was our last visit to Lasani Grill (223-225 Allison street, Glasgow, G42 8RU), tempes fugit! When I phoned in the order for 3kg of White Karahi midweek, Saeed took the call – Khalid and and I mentioned you the other day – Where is Hector? Curry-Heute has covered many kilometres and many Curry Houses in the past two months, this weekend was the first that our collective – The Company – were quorate in Glasgow.
The normal 15.00 rendezvous was preceded by an ad hoc assembly at the Allison Arms. There was a choice of Deutsche Bier, just. No Oktoberfestbier? Have Our Friends drunk it all? Kenny joined Hector, Dr. Stan and Mags straight from a conference. He had foregone the after-party for Curry, sensible man.
Steve was waiting for us, Stewart arrived after we took our seats. A Pile of Poppadoms and Two Trays of Spiced Onion were produced in a flash. Kenny was already anticipating the Pleasure of the Spiced Onions. Was he here for the Curry? More Onions were required, more Poppadoms came too. Chaps, we had just put £12.00 on The Bill, a point worth considering for the future!
A Modest Salad and Dips announced the arrival of the White Karahi, a Curry cooked without anything Red, no Paprika, Chilli Powder, Cayenne, and definitely No Food Dye.
Two Karahi were presented, One Large, One Small. This was 3kg? We had all starved ourselves today so the appetites were Voracious. We have all shared a Kilo or two and know the End Game can be a struggle, especially when Starters have preceded. Poppadoms are not filling.
We ate heartily, for once we could have done with heaps more. We had each ordered a single Chapatti, we were not Breaded-out, perhaps this also was at the root of – is this all?
The Masala was Darker than that served previously, the Mash that is unique to this style of Curry was up to the usual standard, Thick without an Excess of Oil. The Seasoning was Perfection, the Spice Level was Sufficient, slices of Large Fresh Green Chillies added another dimension. The Flavours from this Dish are totally different from Karahi served in my most frequented Curry Houses.
On-the-bone, some were – Sucky – some not. The Bone content was not excessive, there was a Sufficiency of Meat, it was eked out. Beautifully Tender and Slow Cooked, this style of Karahi remains remarkable, a Joy to eat.
Can I get you anything else? – asked Saeed as we devoured what little was left. More Curry – was the reply. Not to be.
Kahlid wanted to take our Photo, and so he produced his device and also had his first experience of Hector’s new camera.
The Verdict
Kenny – As every Duisburg Curry Aficionado knows: Zehr trocken, Sos Minimal, Fantastich.
Steve – Not outstanding, Pleasant, not The Best I’ve ever had. For £15.00, not the best value.
Steve and Hector are just back from Bradford where we shared three Curry-Heute Experiences. We had eaten the Best of Curry at Bradford Prices, this is the Reality.
Dr. Stan – Mmmmm. A High Rating on the Mmm-ometer.
Stewart – Just a Curry I really enjoyed.
Mags – I really enjoyed it, especially the Kulfi Surprise.
Kulfi and Gulab Jaman
Saaed announced he had a Surprise for us. We have been treated to an Array of Complimentary Desserts in our visits. The Gulab Jaman we have had before, today this was accompanied by Pistachio Kulfi. Very Tasty, and Appreciated.
The Bill
£84.30. £22.00 a Kilo. Dare we ask for more Curry next visit?
The Aftermath
We were introduced to the new Chef, Mr. Saleem. Did this explain the Slightly Darker Masala?
As we walked back along Allison St, Hector stopped off at a Rival Curry House. Next Saturday.
oes too? Potatoes are always welcome, and for the record, Hector prefers Methi to Spinach.
We agreed a Strategic Wait, Irfan asked if I had had a Big Lunch. Just trying to let the food go down. Ashgar asked confirmation that The Main could be presented, here we go.
The Aloo Paratha was Large and well-stuffed with pieces of Potato. Stuffed Parathas cannot be as Flaky as their Plain counterparts, this was – The Best of Both Worlds. The Edges were Sublime, how could I eat all this? No chance. The Seasoning in the Paratha was Perfect, so when scooping the Masala there was no longer an Under-seasoned Curry set before The Hector. The Combination of Paratha and Karahi was exactly what I required.
Here lay a Spinach based Masala, with Garlic very evident. At first I couldn’t identify what else was in it apart from the Spinach and Garlic. Mustard Leaves? Ashgar would confirm this later when he saw I had left more than half. As I removed the odd spoonful, Oil formed at the edge of the Karahi. I feel I may have written this before.
room is Bright, and has a – Colonial Feel – to the décor which grew on me the longer I was there. The tables were well spaced, I chose one in the middle of the room at a pillar.
f Spice level had been made. I would probably have enjoyed this Curry more if I had had it later in the day. This was Breakfast, and Lamb this early was Heavy. The Chapattis were Freshly made and quite substantial. One proved to be enough for Hector. As I ate on, the Cloves were assimilated, there was a sense of Meatiness, this Curry was full of Flavour. I have described Curry as having a Bisto Flavour in the past and used this as a negative. However, today I use this as a positive, the Meat did impress and it felt as if it would last forever. Was Hector finally Curried-out?
The Masala appeared Plentiful compared to the Fish Methi served at Lunchtime at the 
Mein Host, Mr Bashir, was not in his spot this evening, instead a Young Pretender was in situ. I introduced myself, a Nephew? Showing him earlier Curry-Heute posts, he did not recognise Ali without his beard. There had to be a photo.
Pickle looked a bit different, Red Bits, and was astonishing. What a Kick, what a Salt content, back-off, it’s early.
Omar came and sat with us. He and Taj are coming up to Glasgow in a couple of weeks. Hopefully Omar will get in touch, it is time I took them for Glasgow Curry – where?
The Chap, a 
Whatever the Yadgar Secret is, the Lamb tastes like nowhere else, the Masala has an edge that no other Curry house comes close to. So Rich, one knows that this is a Treat to Savour, one could not eat this every day, too Rich.
Yes I had an outstanding Fish Curry in 
Normally this would be Chops that are cooked in the Masala, not Tandoori Chops with added Masala. However, Rashid, The Chef, had to improvise. One wonders how busy they were last night that there was no Lamb today. Shan, the Delivery Chap was standing in as front of house, he brought the Karahi complete with Ladle-sized serving Spoon. Magnificent. The Chops would count at Nine.
The Bill
Our Speciality – is the name given to the Soup. Two Portions of this were also mandatory, again only a Soupçon (!) was experienced last visit.
I described the – Our Speciality – Soup as Cream Of Garlic Soup with Chicken and Vegetables. Marg said she wasn’t getting Garlic. We did agree on the remainder of the content. The Chicken was Sufficiently Abundant, Ginger Strips added Texture, Paneer, Peas and Green Beans completed the Melange. Paneer! This is Wonderful Soup!
Placed on the Candle Heated Stand, the Kadhai looked most inviting. The Masala was Dark in the ambient light, the Thickness most apparent. The Fish was buried in the Mass which was certainly abundant. The Dark Red Chillies revealed themselves as the Curry was spooned on to the Rice. Sometimes I eat them, sometimes not. With a ‘plane journey imminent, best not. Still, their Spice and Smoky Flavour would have permeated the Dish. The Spice and Seasoning were exactly how this commentator seeks them, the Quality of the Curry was oozing… Marg could tell that I was in my element, this was a very special moment. The Fish was plentiful, I asked the Waiter to identify the Fish – Salmon. One assumes the Fish had been cooked before as Salmon Tikka given the Slight Crisping on the Edges, this added to the Texture.
Texture, this Curry had another Dimension thanks to the Rice. Interesting Vegetables are always appreciated. The Copious Rice contained Cauliflower, Broccoli, Peas and Green Beans, from somewhere Two Slivers of Capsicum had appeared. Even these could not spoil the moment. This Curry was Truly Magnificent. I only know of 
The Young Waitress showed us to a Table, far right, there were Five Fellow Diners initially, more arrived. The Polish Restaurant next door remained empty. The Décor was Simple, Tablecloths established the Tradition of Indian Dining.
animent. This is how Chicken Tikka Masala was invented, I reminded Marg. She ate the Fish and enjoyed it, I sampled a piece, Salmon Tikka. With no Sauce, the Roti was redundant. Just as well no Rice was ordered on that side of the table.
The tickets said 20.00, Marg and Hector were there just after 19.30, the doors were open, no queue. Through the inner door to the downstairs standing area I could hear a Chap playing acoustic guitar, I recognised the Music – Genesis? The brain was not tuned in. Gary Chandler had related earlier they had to get a move on tonight, something to do with tachographs. As we took our seats, one of which was already occupied, Gary changed over to electric. We had missed the first half of his short set. Daylight Fades from Across the Water started the conclusion to the set, then Follow me to Salzburg, nothing from the classic – More than meets the eye album. I need to see Jadis again, properly.
When a band has a new album to tour, they can intersperse it throughout the set, or play it all at once as they take the stage as both Yes and Weather Report famously did back in the 1970s. Not tonight, we were on familiar ground with Eraserhead (Pure) then The Freak Show (Pure), with Paintbox (Masquerade Overture) following on without much banter. Nick’s Polish goes as far as – Good evening and welcome – one or two other phrases were appreciated by the locals, he admitted to never getting a particular phrase correct. Good on him for trying.
Material form the Passion album was at a premium tonight, It’s Only Me (Pure) closed the main set, if my memory is correct. There had to be an encore, it had to be Indigo (Pure), IMHO, the greatest composition in the Pendragon catalogue. After another break we were treated to Masters of Illusion (Masquerade Overture). Finishing on this was a master-stroke, it woke me up to just how complex and, well, Progressive this song is. From the stomping start, there are numerous mood changes climaxing with the great Barrett guitar sound. This song has everything the new album does not.
