Somebody told Hector about the Ayr Spice (The Old Minishant Memorial Church, 22 Ayr Rd, Minishant, Ayrshire, KA19 8EX) last year. Despite the inclement weather Marg and Hector headed off to the Ayrshire Coast this afternoon. Troon was the First Objective. As we parked near the Front, a chance meeting with Duncan, Author and Astronomer, and his Lady sent us to the Chit Chat Coffee Shop. They were celebrating their First Birthday. Food was declined, Curry was planned.
Ayr Spice is about 10km South of Ayr on the A77 towards Maybole. The Venue is well signed as one approaches Minishant. Plenty of space to park. A converted church, there is so sign of it being so as one enters the Dining Room.
We were the First Diners of the day but were joined soon afterwards by Two Chaps and a Wean. The walls are adorned with Testimonies and even an extract from the Guinness Book of Records. Celebrity Chef Mafiz served Curry from the World’s Largest Curry Pot.
The Waiter brought the Menu, Aloo Palak Pakora? This had to be tried. The Aloo Palak Pakora (£4.50) featured Sweet Potato, Spinach and Methi. The Stand-out Main Course was the Lamb Handi Bhuna (£10.95). Marg decided to have this too. One Chapatti (£1.75) and a Stuffed Paratha (£2.25) were the Accompaniments. An Expensive Chapatti.
The offer of Poppadoms was declined. The Curry-Heute Philosophy – Bring the Poppadoms and Dips as a courtesy.
A Bit of Confusion
The Waiter emerged from the Kitchen with a Tea Light Plate Warmer. On this was placed the Chapatti and the Paratha (Quartered). What happened to the Pakora?
The Breads were withdrawn. Dips were brought and eventually the Pakora. Five Pieces. Five for £4.50?
The Aloo Palak Pakora was Stunning. The contents were a Mash of Potato and Herbs. The Seasoning was Significant, a suitable Kick, Very Tasty. Five more pieces would have been welcomed.
Hot Bread
The Plate Warmer was brought back. The Chapatti and Stuffed Paratha were placed on the Heat, interesting. Normally the Curry is placed here.
The Pricey Chapatti was Standard Issue. Neither Large or Thick. I would have required Two. The Stuffing in the Paratha was Subtle, not too Heavy. I had to drop the final piece on the plate, it had retained its Heat thanks to the Plate Warmer. Excellent Idea!
Sound Effects
Our Chap brought a Large, Flat wooden Dish with an Iron Interior. The Sound of Sizzling was most impressive, I should have made a Movie, but I don’t know how to post them. The Platter was sat on the Tablecloth beside Marg. Is this for us to share? Marg considered as we waited to see if another was coming. Moments later The Waiter brought another Sizzling Platter. Impressive or what?
There was no need to count the Meat content, this was a Serious Portion. Leaves and Cinnamon Bark were visible, the Cardamom less so. On my First Dip I remarked upon the Sweetness. This was not just a Spicy Curry but an Aromatic Dish too. Far from anything I have sampled in a while, no Karela or Methi in this Dish. The Hector Palate was being adjusted when Marg declared – This is Wonderful! I cannot recall Marg ever being so direct with a Curry Pronouncement. When The Waiter came to make the customary check, he had to be told. Marg was certainly impressed.
The Lamb was Plentiful and Tender, One Chewy Piece was registered between the Two Portions. The Masala was Thick, a Perfect Mash of Oil, Onion and Tomatoes. Marg was also pleased that the Onions which were visible were cut Small, they were not Ballast. The Lamb Handi Bhuna was Full of Flavour a very Rich Dish. The Spice Level and Seasoning were Spot-on.
Such is the Wonder of Food from the Indian Subcontinent, one can take the same Ingredients and create something as markedly different as this Curry.
A New Young Chap was now on duty. He brought the Coffee and a Couple of Marg’s Favourite Mint Chocolates.
The Bill
£37.85. £4.45 for Two Soft Drinks. £4.50 for Five Pieces of Pakora did seem extreme.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was given to the Young Chap. I could not show him the Website, no Signal in these premises. You can give this to your Boss – I suggested.
Meet The New Boss
I suppose I am The New Boss – was his reply. Javid introduced himself. I had to ask what became of the Famous Person referred to throughout the Restaurant – He is my Father.
And so the – This is Wonderful – was repeated. A Photo Opperchancity presented itself. Javid insisted on Two. That we had driven down from Glasgow to visit Ayr Spice was appreciated.
On the drive back, Marg reaffirmed that the Lamb Handi Bhuna had been above her level of expectation. If the Sun ever shines, don’t be surprised if Marg suggest another drive to Ayrshire.
This was indeed – Excellent Curry.
Update
In 2017, Hector was advised that Ayr Spice has closed.
Half of the Mince was then cooked in the Masala, the remainder in Oil and copious freshly ground Garam Masala. An entire Bag of Frozen Methi was absorbed. I managed to keep the quantity of Oil down to 750ml of Vegetable Oil. Keema Curry has to be served Dry.
Normally I Microwave Rice in batches for Three People. Today I risked using a Pot, well Two Pots. What does Rice for Seventeen look like? Better to have too much than too little. The Company were invited to bring Plastic Containers for a possible Takeaway. Of Curry, not Bier.
A Small Portion is £3.50, a Large Portion is £5.50. Just how small, Small is would be discovered shortly. With Two Roti and extra 50p. 25P for a Roti! This is well in keeping with the Spirit of Curry-Heute, almost Bradford Prices.
It was Ikram who greeted me on entry – Hi, Hector! Waris was quickly out of the Kitchen to shake hands. We discussed the Curry on display, the Chicken Curry actually looked tempting, good sized pieces of Chicken on-the-bone. The Lamb and Potato Curry was more in Hector’s Style. With Chapattis. Waris said he had just finished making Fresh Chicken Kebabs. So, Two of these to Start please.
En route to 
Normally I contact Shkoor, Mein Host, in advance to ensure the Wonderful Goshat Karahi is awaiting. When Dining Alone, I have tended of late to turn up and see what is on offer. The Daily Specials do rotate.
The Lamb was on-the-bone. The Bones were actually a welcomed sight, it meant the Dish was not as Voluminous as it first appeared. The Thick and Minimal Masala was not giving up the 
At the base of the plate was an Oily, Fibrous residue of the Masala. Here lay the Classic 
Today, it is exactly Twenty Years since I first set foot in Brighton. The Sunday in the end of May Bank Holiday. Then I had driven down from Glasgow, a Different World, a Very Different Life. I knew Marg back then but not Clive. Clive didn’t know Maggie, but she may have known him…
The Menu had potentially New and Interesting Lamb Dishes. Laal Maans and Sikendari Raan were well described. I would take advice. Meanwhile Maggie was up for Lamb Shathkara further down this section. Hopefully the photo is legible, else the Bombay website has these listed. Marg announced Fish Karahi from nowhere, I hadn’t even considered Fish Today. Clive was all over The Menu looking for Chicken Dansak, I’m sure he orders this to wind me up. Each to his own, but Lord Clive of India is usually more adventurous.
Marg was quite taken with her Karahi at First. The Fish was lovely but the Masala was spoiled by the Big Vegetables. I didn’t have a sample but could see the Pile of Debris accumulating. Big, Seriously Big pieces of Green Capsicum and Onion. This keeps happening to Marg. When I ask for the Capsicum to be withheld, Marg concurs, else she forgets. This was Ballast. Marg continued – It was Good, but not much of it.
Twenty Two Hours later than planned and with Jim replacing Marg and Maggie, Clive took Hector as promised to 
Note the Renee Mackintosh Font on The Menu, on this of all days when the Glasgow School of Art is ablaze…
£6.95 for a Starter and a Main Course, as yet portion size unknown. We all know that some venues skimp and offer frustration rather than Curry. The Fish Pakora was an extra £1.00. Hector could not resist. Karahi Bhuna? Yes please.
The Fish Pakora arrived within a time that made me believe Curry in the Lunch-hour might be a regular occurrence. Six large pieces in a Spicy Batter and a Tangy Sauce to accompany. Very good indeed. When one considers the ridiculous price venues charge for three or four pieces of Vegetable Pakora, I felt I was quids in already. A modest Curry portion and Naan was now anticipated. Some ladies were brought Prawn Cocktail. This looked – Wow! Was it worth ordering two Lunchtime Deals?
Coming soon
Edible, Tangy, almost Pleasant. I think I’m overdue cooking a – Replica – Dry Lamb Achari featuring Karela, of course.
Ayaz and Rasheed greeted us as we took our seats. We could sense that people were upstairs, Ayaz was busy running up and down the stairs. Hector had to go up and investigate. There were in fact Two Groups, one of Chaps, one of Chapattis. The Chaps were nearly finished their Meals as the timely photos show. The Ladies departed later, by which time Mags and Hector were well ensconced in Magnificent Curry.
Ayaz brought the Two Curry Dishes and Chapattis on separate Baskets. Both looked Stupendous. I could see that the Aloo Gosht had a different Masala, Mags was in her element. She loves her Potatoes. It’s all about Spice, it’s Lovely. Leave it out overnight, not in the Fridge. Mags ate just over Half, the rest went Home.
When Ayaz brought a Fresh Chapatti I asked if he could bring me this every three hours. This new Blast of Heat upped the ante. This was truly One of The Greatest Curry Moments, Ever!
There was a quick chat with Shan, the Delivery Driver. He reckons he drives around 35 miles per day. Charing Cross was even mentioned. Competition indeed!