Yes I had an outstanding Fish Curry in Krakow yesterday. I also know what is planned for tomorrow. Have I mentioned I’m on holiday? Let’s milk the final moments.
With – The Company – scattered, Hector would dine alone. Just as well as it turned out. On entering The New Karahi Palace (51-53 Nelson Street, Glasgow, G5 8DZ), Mein Host, Ayaz informed me that the Lamb was not ready yet – Lamb Chops?
Lamb Chops Karahi, Half-Kilo please. Chapattis. I helped myself to a Mango Rubicon. Ayaz brought a Glass, a plate with napkins and eventually – The Modest Salad.
Taxi Drivers
The First Taxi Driver entered and was most certainly a regular. His request for Chicken Palak was met without issue. He sat at the adjacent table, we made no contact. Enter Two more Drivers who were informed that there was no Lamb. A Lamb Chops Curry was agreed upon, they sat opposite.
Lamb Chops Karahi
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 Oil was plentiful at the Base of the Large Karahi. Some would be put off, I know what Wonderful Flavours lie therein. The Oil contained the Mash complete with Coriander and Methi. The First Chapatti was used to grasp a Chop, the heat was Intense. The Chops were a Delight, Succulent only begins to describe the Quality of the Lamb and the added Tandoor effect hit home – both Spice and Seasoning. Oh yes. I ate heartily, Drivers #2 and #3 looked on, intrigued. #1 paid and left.
The Bill
£18.60. I need no more Food today.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was given to Driver #2 whose face by now felt familiar. He is also a Regular at the Sheerin Palace, I suspect our paths have crossed before, and will probably do so again.
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.
Marg and Hector find themselves Katowice where Pendragon, supported by Gary Chandler (Jadis), are playing this very evening. Last night Hector ate very traditionally at Krystalowa – Black Pudding Dumplings followed by Glombki. I realise I have been eating, and occasionally making, Glombki for Fifty Years, as long as I have been eating Curry.
Hurry Curry is rated highly as a Restaurant overall in Katowice and so despite it not being an Indian Restaurant per se, Hector thought he had better do his duty. The Menu was all over the place, South Indian, Malayan, Sri Lankan. The Prices were certainly – Right.
A Change – was how Marg describe this Snack. Plenty Vegetables, not much Sauce, was expecting a Thicker Sauce, but Tangy. This Marg washed down with a Glass of Mango Lassi which was – not as Sweet as was expected, however, the Texture was good.
Gary had finished his conversation, time to introduce him to Marg. I haven’t seen you since Rotherham in the late 1990s – he said to me. I lie, I said this to him. Playing Jadis material without a Band? He told me that he would play half an acoustic set then use MP3 tracks as backing for the electric. With Russelsheim the next date on the tour, he also said they were on a tight schedule this evening.
The Waiter sang the praises of the food on offer and stated that he ate here every day. I commented on the splendour of the décor and mentioned I thought in the past I had seen people dining at street level. This area is being converted into a hotel currently. On later examination I was even more puzzled. Marg by this time had managed to have Curry-Heute brought into the conversation. The Calling Card was handed over, no pressure then.
A Metal Bowl containing an Impressive Portion of Curry was accompanied by a Generous Portion of Rice. In the subdued light the colour could not be judged, however, the Photo does this Curry Justice. This was not Soup either. The Masala was Thick and Onion Rich, there was Potential.
It was evident the Lamb had just met the Masala moments before presentation. The Lamb gave no Spice and did not add to the Curry Experience. Ever so Slightly Chewy, this is preferred to Lamb Pulp. The Masala and the Jeera Rice had done enough to forgive the Lamb.
A Chap appeared to take the order, Starters had been dismissed. Graeme was after Fish, Tandoori Trout, on-the-bone with a Peshwari Naan to accompany was his choice. Mar ordered a Chicken Biryani. Marg, who is ordering well of late, opted for Lamb Chops. Now for Hector.
The Lamb Shank was served in a Thick Masala which was decidedly Onion Rich. This was very Pleasant, but lacked the Wow Factor.
Unusually, Hector has only reported from Eretz Glasgow once in recent weeks. Today, work takes Hector to The Far East once again, a chance to meet up with Neil who first made me aware of the formerly – Impressive – but now deservedly described as – Outstanding – 
Neil is a regular at 
The Pakora arrived, Vegetable, Chicken and Mushroom. Again it was apparent that this had been half-cooked previously and now just finished off, not ideal. The Mushroom Pakora was the Dodgy part last time, tonight it was Fine. The Vegetable Pakora was the Highlight, better than the Chicken in Batter. Why was I eating Lumps of Meat? Lunch would have its revenge.
view of the first visit, Mein Host defended the half cooked Pakora. If they didn’t do it that way, what they served would be too solid to eat, and – too Dark and Crispy. He went on to identify the Young Chap who served me last time as the Son of the Chef, his own Nephew. The Mother was seen popping in and out of the Kitchen, answering the phone as necessary. Note, no Deliveries on a Tuesday.
Neil’s Plate of Keema was delightfully Dry, the Portion Significant. The Karahi was something else. Served Bradford-Dry, even the Lamb Pieces approached Bradford-Small. The Lamb was Tender, with enough Resistance. The Masala was Thick, Very Thick, and Minimal. The Methi was there, the Oil residue was not excessive. This looked exactly how Hector wants his Curry.
The Paratha was Chunky, Substantial. There is a slow realisation that Perfect Flakiness cannot be achieved in a Stuffed Paratha. The test was the Mince, this Paratha passed, and some. This was as good as The Best of Keema Parathas. The Individual Grains of Mince were most visible when the Paratha was town apart. Why did Hector have Lunch?
Meanwhile Neil was having what was for him, a regular order. He found last week’s Keema to be Spicier but put this down to the aftermath of the couple of pieces of Pakora he had sampled.
Assuming Chef was busy I asked for a Photo with Mein Host and The Mother. Chef/Proprietor appeared, they were happy to pose. Chef asked – I hope you found the food OK.
Neil has not been to Bradford. I feel a Trip may be upon him very soon, then he will discover what the fuss is about.
Peter was a Teenager last time our paths crossed, he had flown up to join Father. By the time we decided Food was imminent, Mags decided to join us. Neil was not up for it. Hopefully we shall dine together on Tuesday. A Table was booked just in case 
Mr Baig stopped to acknowledge as he passed – photo opperchancity. I later caught him filling Plastic Takeaway Containers, he was off home with some of his Excellent Wares. The entire Baig Family were at our table at some point. Did I get a plea in to restore the much-missed Lal Lahori?
How long have you been here?
The Enjoyment was enhanced by a Flavour from the Thin Paratha. There was something coming through which added to the Curry. The Paratha could only have had Slivers of Vegetable Smeared inside it. This as mentioned was Thin, too Soft and had little hint of Flakiness. I’ve had much worse and I did like the Flavour.
The Takeover of the empty WokWay premises was related and the aim to have a Contemporary Design. The Wall Coverings are unusual. Note, this Venue is Small.
Rizwan was in his usual place behind the counter, introductions were given, hands shaken. I was in the mood for Fish but Rizwan said the Fish was frozen somehow that was off-putting. The Specials Board had Keema Potatoes, that was too tempting. I also negotiated a Half Portion of the Mixed Vegetables and a Single Chapatti (60p). Marg would spectate.
The Keema Potatoes was Curry, just. This was Mince and Potatoes with a Small Kick. Marg had to be given a sample, her favourite Dish. She wasn’t tempted to order a portion but did come back for more. This was a very tasty plate of Mince and Tatties.
The Vegetable Curry was a generous half portion. With Potatoes, Peas, Cauliflower, Diced Carrot and a Single Green Bean, this was served in a Shorba-style Masala. This had very Earthy Flavour and stood out from the Keema Potatoes. A Great Combination.
With Marg present, a perfect opperchancity to have a photo taken with Rizwan.