Hector has been visiting Carnoustie since 1999 in the company of Marg. Initially this was to visit Mags, more recently Mags and Dr. Alasdair. It was their suggestion that we visit Ganges (11 Park Ave, Carnoustie, Angus, DD7 7JA).
Better known for Golf, Hector and Marg were first here together the year Paul Lawrie, a Scot, won The Open. This victory was gifted by his opponent Jean van de Velde who attempted to play out of The Barry Burn and blew a Three Shot Lead.
As we walked down to the Ganges, Hector and Dr. Alasdair reminisced about visits to Andechs, not just The Bier, but the Smelliest of Cheese.
On what one might expect to be a quiet Tuesday, there was quite a Group waiting in the Vestibule for Takeaways. There were more Diners inside. Our Table for Four awaited.
Having studied the Online Menu during the drive North, a Couple of Dishes had sparked an Interest. The Village Curry – Homestyle flavour. This dish is specially prepared in a thick bhuna sauce with mixed vegetables and green chillies. Originates in the village of the Punjab – sounded like a Hector Curry. A Desi by any other description. Mags then informed me that it was Vegetables only. Village Curry and Lamb Chops? Excessive..
Having had Minimal Methi throughout July, the Methi Gosht could not be resisted. The others were discussing Poppadoms and Pakora. Hector wished his Traditional Vegetable Side. The Aloo Gobi had the Offending Vegetable listed, negotiations to follow. With Potatoes in the Side, no need for an Aloo Paratha, Plain would do. The Menu stated – Stuffed Paratha – but gave no clue as to – The Stuffing. Mags would show the way. She had declared Vegetable Thali early in the proceedings. Marg went for Tikka Lamb with the Patan Gost. Meanwhile Dr. Alasdair was keeping his powder dry. He would make his choice as the Waiter took the Order.
Various Breads were ordered, hard to keep track of. Marg opted for a Garlic Chapatti, Dr. Alasdair a Peshwari Naan. When Mags asked for a Garlic Paratha this was Hector’s cue to ask for a Methi Paratha. I also verified that the Methi Gosht would have no Capsicum and asked for them to be withheld in the Aloo Gobi. No problem.
Chicken Rogan Josh – completed The Mains – This medium hot dish is based on a mixture of capsicum, garlic, ginger, cumin and pasted with tomato, paprika and yogurt.
A Pakora to share was mooted. How many Poppadoms? Four was agreed upon, Hector was having nothing to do with these Distractions.
The Last Time we dined was almost together, at The Houses of Parliament, a long table… There was no Curry, hence tonight. Some think we had Beef that night, still too Pink for Hector to have entertained this. I am happier to interpret the Meat as Ham.
A Portion of Pakora arrived on a Posh Plate with Three Minimal Dips and Decorative Salad. Five Pieces of Pakora? Yes, this means One does not Overload on Starters. Maybe the Waiter should have given better advice about sharing? Mags’ Thali would include another Portion of Pakora, so Marg did all right out of the First. Good Pakora – said Marg justifying her swoop for the Last Piece.
I was informed that prior to becoming a Curry House, this Venue was the Foremost Restaurant in Carnoustie. With an Informal Atmosphere, and Good Humour from The Waiters, one deduced that Business here is currently a Success.
The Complexity of The Thali saw it arrive in Stages. Plates of Okra, Chickpeas, Mushroom, Boiled Rice and the aforementioned Pakora, served identical to its Predecessor. All the Dishes were Dry or had Minimal Masala. With Lamb Chops to Accompany this would have been… enough already. Hector is having Lamb Chops Withdrawal.
Marg appeared content with her choice. The Patan Gost was not Soup. The Garlic Chapatti was served Quartered in a Basket. Despite this, the Size was visibly Substantial. The Large Garlic Paratha looked just the job and was served Flat and Whole. Served Similarity, The Peshwari Naan was smaller but looked Properly Cooked. Hector’s Methi Paratha was also Quartered and served in a Basket. To save space – said The Waiter, who went on to ask why I was Photographing Everything.
I’ll tell you at the end.
Dr. Alasdair’s Chicken Rogan Josh looked decidedly – Red. We had previously discussed the Origins of this Dish. Rogan is – Red – in whatever Sub-Continental Tongue is appropriate. That Cream is used in some Restaurants was also mentioned. Tomatoes is what One Expects. There was no sign of the quoted Yoghurt.
Methi Gosht
The Methi Gosht looked both Fierce and Enormous. With Strips of Meat I wondered if it was indeed Lamb and not Beef which lends itself to being cut in this manner. The Menu clearly said – Lamb. The Aloo Gobi had lost the listed Tomatoes, maybe they had all been used for the Rogan Josh? Fried Onions had taken the place of both Listed Vegetables, no bad thing.
The Methi Paratha was Limp, too Greasy, and did not show the desired Flakiness. Still, there was Methi and it would be devoured regardless. Dipped into the Rich Masala the Intensity of Flavour matched the Ferocity of the Appearance. Such was the Volume of Food set before The Hector, a Tradition was abandoned, – The Others – were allowed a Sample. Cinnamon – stated Mags. Most certainly. This Dominant Spice with the Methi gave a Powerful Overall Flavour, yet despite the anticipated Bitterness of the Methi, there was an underlying Sweetness. From where, Hector could not establish. The Kick was subtle, the Seasoning also, perhaps adding to Mystery of this Dish. The Tender Lamb would last forever, especially when the Cauliflower and Potatoes were attended to. The Aloo Gobi was as Dry as Hector could ask. The Fried Onions also gave a New Dimension. There was Cumin, somewhere. The Greasiness of the Paratha was soon forgiven. How to get to The End….
Die Wahl der anderen
Patan Gost
Marg had insisted I sample a Piece of Lamb, just what Hector needed. The difference in Flavour from the Methi Gosht was marked, and again quite Powerful. How many Venues would have served up Three Meat Dishes with virtually the same Masala? Marg opened her review by restating – The Crispiness of the Pakora. Her Chapatti was – Excellent, bigger than expected. Marg was – Surprised at the Tastiness – of her Main. She remarked on the Dryness – due to the Chickpeas. These I hadn’t spotted.
Vegetable Thali
I loved the Thali – Mags was now on a roll – particularly the Okra. The Chickpeas were delightfully Creamy, a Perfect Portion for me. The Veg were not over-cooked. I particularly enjoyed the Onion Chutney and Garlic Dip that went with the Pakora.
Chicken Rogan Josh
Dr. Alasdair realised he had been the least adventurous when ordering. However, as his local he must know The Menu well. The only person to order Chicken.
It wasn’t a Classic, a Dish of Three Parts: Chicken, Curry Paste and Tomato Topping. The Chicken was cooked well and was full of Flavour. The Blend of Sauces was Wonderful.
I conclude that we were Four Contented Diners.
The Bill
£84.95. £11.90 of this was for Soft Drinks, mostly Water in Various Guises. I could not see any charge for the Poppadoms and accompanying Dips, as should be.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was offered and the Website shown on the Almost Flat Samsung.
Curry-H? – said The Waiter. Curry-hoy-teh – explained Marg.
There was no problem with this last week in Deutschland.
The Waiter had an apparent obsession with everything Apple. He wasn’t on commission, but should have been.
Hector has given Apple – £Thousands – no more.
It’s 
Moti Mahal (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 34, 1012 SB, Amsterdam) had changed, gone was The Traditional Décor, welcome to the Contemporary. The Menu has expanded considerably too. No way would Hector have chosen the Vindaloo if Lamb Karahi had been present last time. This created a Dilemma, judge their New Menu or stick to The Test. Vindaloo it had to be. The Menu mentioned a Herb Content, maybe that is why it impressed so much last time.
There was no attempt to secure Minimal Masala, this had to be a – take it as it comes moment. There was no Surprise when the Metal Pot came with Brimming with Masala. This was in the Classic Style. A Single Large Piece of Potato was highly visible also.
This is Day +1 of Hector Bounces Back. The Düsseldorf Six have gone their separate ways. Hector has tagged a Day in Amsterdam on to The Trip. There is an 
There were Six Fellow Diners. There would be Six more soon when the Skies Erupted. A Classic late afternoon Convectional Rainstorm. Mein Host took the Order. I made sure there was none of the Dreaded Green Vegetable, this was not a problem. In fact when he served the new arrivals, I heard him say they will cook anything anyway you want. As it should be. Unless it is Puréed, how can Capsicum already be – in the Curry – as some Waiters have insisted over the years?
Methi Paratha, oh yes, I had to have one. Hector is having Methi Withdrawal Symptoms.
The Methi Paratha was Poor. Half Roti, half Paratha it lacked the Flaky Texture which is sought after. However, it was Permeated with hopefully, the Key Ingredient – Fresh Methi.
There was a Side Salad which was also part of the Serving. This was never touched.
The Masala had a Puréed Onion Base, with the Yoghurt it was similar to a Spicy Korma, no bad thing on occasion and no Coconut. The Tender Lamb had a good Texture, not too Soft, not too Chewy.
As our Trip, yesterday, to Websters (Duisburg) reached a conclusion we decided to return today. This was the inspiration for Hector to discover if there is a Duisburg Curry House. Punjabi Pfanne (Oststraße 137a, 47057 Duisburg , NRW, Deutschland) was the only one. A Punjabi Curry House!
Expectation levels were tentatively high. A Source of Punjabi Food and a Full Café-Restaurant. As I spotted the Half Plate of Rice, Half Curry, I deduced that people were here for the Lunchtime Menu at €5.00. This included a Soft Drink, potentially Great Value. The Menu featured – Punjabi Breakfast – hence the 10.00 opening time.
wever there was Minimal Flavour. Well Under-seasoned, Steve added Salt to his Chicken Karahi. For Hector this is – Verboten. Hector eats Curry as it comes, well almost.
For the Mittagsmenu – Mein Host explained.
A basket with two round Naans were then brought, not huge, but an ideal size for one. No way would Hector eat all of his. The Naans had been properly prepared, we heard the Slapping. They had risen sufficiently and had the appropriate Burnt Bits. A Tandoor.
One does not walk in to a Curry House – Forty Five Minutes – before closing time to be harassed by a Waiter saying – Half an Hour. Half an Hour. Half an Hour. Yes, this was the greeting on entering Taj Mahal, (Oststrasse 143, 40210, Düsseldorf, Deutschland) at 23.15. Nope, that was not – A Welcome.
The Paratha was served Quartered. (Why?) Flaky and well-stuffed, this had the required Texture. The Seasoning in the Paratha carried over to the Curry, again a good combination.
Overall, I cannot fault what I was given today. Fine Curry, well-presented, with sufficient Flavour, and not Soupy at all.
I had been offered Lamb Tikka but stuck with my normal Tender Lamb. The Dryness of The Lamb when eaten without the Masala was Impressive. Again every mouthful gave a Spicy Blast. The Chef clearly knows what he is doing. The Seasoning was Technically Unremarkable, as it was Perfekt. The Fresh Coriander was there, The Flavours. This was indeed Quality Curry.
Even before I had presented The Calling Card, Mein Host had asked that I tell all my Friends about this New Venue. When I showed him Curry-Heute he was into Overdrive. He was critical of Venues where they give Half a Plate of Rice with a Half Plate of Curry. Ironically, these are the Venues I referred to above with this Identical Menu Format. His nearby Neighbour may also have been in his mind.
Joginder explained that he is responsible for fund-raising for cancer patients in 
Normally the Masala in a Fish Curry takes Flavour from the Fish, today I was struggling to establish this. The Fish itself was served in a sufficiently sized portion. How many venues have I reported minimal Fish with excessive Masala? No problems here.
The Waiter brought me a Plain Naan. A very Plain Naan. I was having Naan after-all. Now I could taste the Masala. The situation was improving. The Naan was as authentic as anything served in the UK, a proper Tandoor must have been employed. Puffy, with enough burnt bits.
A single Gulab Jamun arrived. Probably part of the Lunchtime Menu. Again, appreciated.