With The Hanging Baskets on display, at the Punjabi Charing Cross (157-159 North Street, Glasgow, G3 7DA) The Big Red Curry House stands out even more as one gazes across the M8 Motorway from Charing X Station. It was just after the 16.30 opening time when Hector entered to be greeted by Jazzi. The Menu is usually dispensed with, however today I felt like something a bit different. Today I had also had zero food intake, rumble, rumble.
The Chef’s Specialities include Lamb on-the-bone which as regular readers know has been re-defined as Lamb Gurmeet after The Chef. With the Classic Hector-style Curry featuring Extra Methi and Seasoning, this is it. Jazzi confirmed that Hector’s Favourite Chef north of the River Clyde was on duty. Lamb Gurmeet please.
A Side Vegetable Dish felt correct today. At £5.50 for a Full Portion and £4.50 for a Side, logic suggests that if I was not dining alone, the former would have been ideal to share. An Aloo Gobi Side and Chapattis completed the order.
Do you want the Aloo Gobi Desi-style? – asked Jazzi.
Oh yes.
Chapattis are not listed on The Menu. I usually report on the price of a Chapatti since some venues are out of order. Note to self, study The Bill later on.
Poppadoms and Spiced Onion were presented with no fuss. Complimentary, of course. None of this – Would you like Poppadoms nonsense? (and that’ll be a sneaky extra couple of quid on The Bill.) As I marvelled at the Spiced Onion I realised that dining alone, I get to eat all of these delights. The Poppadoms themselves rarely merit a comment, however today these also appeared to be Outstanding. Savoury! First Food of the day.
When the Mains arrived my first observation was the marked difference in the Masalas. The Aloo Gobi had a Thick but Light Coloured Aromatic Masala, whereas the Lamb Gurmeet was Delightfully Dark. Thick with Methi the Lamb dish is Sheer Joy, Umami! The Vegetable Masala had an Earthy Flavour to it. As I alternated between the Dishes the Palate was well tested. I counted Five Pieces of Lamb on-the-bone and lost count of the Boneless pieces. The Tender Lamb still had sufficient resistance to require Chewing, I prefer this to the Pulp served in many places, by far. The Oil slowly collected on the base of the Karahi, another Source of Pleasure. This Portion was substantial. One and a Half Standard Chapattis is my limit. Overall the Quantity matched the Quality.
Jazzi came up to the raised area, Hector’s Spot, to ask about the meal.
Still One of the Best Curry Dishes served in Glasgow!
I should be eating here more often, but these days on alighting at Charing Cross Train Station one tends to walk East. North St is West, well of course it would be.
When Hari arrived just after 17.00, Hector was down to the end game, and so we had the Opperchancity to discuss my favourite topic – Curry. Hari reads this Blog and so knows where I have been, and how long it has been since my last visit here. Hari acknowledged the success of the opening might at Danny Singh’s Gandhi Restaurant on Victoria Rd (Southside). He further recognised the level of competition in Govanhill/Queens Park. The Anarkali was also mentioned, a long standing Curry House on Victoria Rd which I have not been to since 1980. Babu’s Bombay Street Kitchen was also discussed. The re-invention of Bacon and Egg. With Tesco the only other supplier of Lunchtime Snacks on the West Side of Charing Cross, Hari is considering expanding his Lunchtime Fayre. They now order in Twice as much Mince as they did before the introduction of the outrageously wonderful Keema Padora. I suggested they should sell it as a Lunchtime Wrap. Hari went on to describe a possible Baked Beans Wrap. Baked Beans with Jeera (Cumin) Chopped Green Chillies and ….
News – The long established (Modern) Punjabi on Paisley Rd West has now been sublet. The Family now have their efforts focused on the Charing Cross Venue. A big step.
The Bill
£17.45. Chapattis are 75p each.
The Aftermath
I was introduced to Ed, the Delivery Driver. With the Van parked outside, Ed is set to deliver wherever …
Now for some Oakham’s Green Devil…. (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)
The Bombay Grill (19-21 Glasgow Road, Hardgate, Clydebank, G81 5PJ) has been in its current location since February of this year, same business, same staff.
Entering just on 19.00, Three Tables were occupied. I was shown to a wall Table set for Two adjacent to a couple of Ladies. I had to work hard at not overhearing their conversation. The Décor was much more Twenty First Century than the classic Red Flock Wallpaper of Yesteryear. After it closed this was the set of a short-lived BBC Scotland Sitcom, about a Curry House. People find Curry amusing?
Little Phone Signal, T’Internet kept crashing, and no Wi-Fi. How many Curry Houses have Wi-Fi? There was Traditional Indian Musik being broadcast, at times it was a bit OTT, the Screechy Females. The Ladies went for The Buffet.
Lord Clive of Crawley was keen to join Hector for his #2 Visit to The Bala Sweet & Tandoori Centre (111 Midland Rd., Bedford, MK40 1DA). That it was en route to the Train Station was very convenient. I now realise that on the approaches to the Station, there is a Small Cluster of Café-Style Curry Outlets to rival the more Formal Tavistock Street Restaurants. The Great English Tradition of Sunday Lunch usually involves Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding, a Dish that proved to be available in Venues visited later in St. Albans. When Clive and Hector are out, it’s going to be Curry.
The Pythagorean Cup was the topic of conversation at one point during our visit to 
In the end Dr. Stan and Jonathan decided it was too late for Curry and so it was the ever reliable Lord Clive of Crawley who accompanied Hector to sample the wares of Bradford’s Oldest Indian Restaurant. Established in 1960, one would assume that these premises have been through a few changes. The design is quite contemporary, though Tablecloths remain. We were shown to a Table for Three which was reduced to Two settings. Tables for Three?
Lamb Korai– said the Waiter who pushed the Trolley of Food towards us. That had to be Hector’s.
Good Curry (& Vegetable Rice).
The Vegetable Curry had Minimal Masala hence the initial attraction. With Potatoes, Carrots, Green Beans, Sweetcorn, Cauliflower and both Red and Green Capsicum it was an Excellent Accompaniment to the Main Portion. I realised that both Portions were the same size. This was a good helping of Vegetable Curry.
The Lamb was Tender to Slightly Chewy, not a problem. Given the Heat and the Masala, Chapattis were maybe not ideal for this Dish. I awaited the inevitable Splash, but managed to avoid it. The Chapattis like the Two Curry Dishes were also Very Hot to touch. They too had a Glow from Oil. A Modest Salad helped cleanse the Palate.
More Photos were permitted. I verified with one the Young Chaps that they were open tomorrow. Everyday at 10.30 I was informed. Home-cooking was how he described the Fayre. Indeed, Desi-style.
Deshi Spice Indian Restaurant and Lounge, not Lunch. (60 Tavistock Street, Bedford, MK40 2RD). How can Bedford have a Milton Keynes postcode? (New Town Geography)
The Restaurant is a long room with alcoves down the left wall. The open area where I was sitting and the alcoves felt separate, a good layout which suggested privacy if required. Congratulations to the Interior Designer. Part of Hector was still at 30,000 ft, time to calm down, The wean and Clive were already at the Corn Exchange, Bier can wait. No news of Dr. Stan or Goodluck, Jonathan.
The Karahi looked Fine, despite the Big Green Bits. Now I had read the Menu and was sure it did not list Capsicum as an inclusion. I had failed to register the Meat content. This Lamb had Feathers was my Second disappointment. Buried under the Chicken were about Four Pieces of Lamb, so the Meat content was more than Adequate. When did Hector last have Chicken Curry? The Younger Waiter asked me the Courteous Question, I stated that I would have preferred Lamb only. Mein Host brought The Menu and showed me it was Chicken and Lamb Korai. My error. Should have gone for the Exotic Lamb Dish. This made me realise that I was being well served. Good Guys.
The Calling Card was presented at the Counter. Minimal Interest expressed. Hector’s mind was now elsewhere, the Corn Exchange was calling… The 
Dr. Stan has been trying to have me take his old Pressure Cooker off is hands for years. All the Indians use One – he assures me. I think Yvonne ended up with it. Für Mein Geburtstag a Deutsche Pressure Cooker came my way, complete with Crap Instructions. (The Text does not match the Photos)
Three weeks ago
Hector arrived Thirty Minutes early thanks to being able to walk between Glasgow Queen St and Central faster than an App considered possible. A train to Queens Park was just departing. Allison St is Two Minutes from this train station in the heart of what is the Govanhill Curry Land. 
icum anywhere but Curry, and any Vegetable in Curry except Capsicum – Simples. Moments later a Bunter Salad was placed on the table – Wow! Olives and Pickled Green Chillies stood out amongst the Colourful Array
Mags was First to remark on the Fish Pakora. This was Fresh and Light. There was a lot of it even with Four sharing. The Ribs took us all by surprise, a definite departure from the norm. These were void of any Red and so we deduced they must have been prepared in the style of the much anticipated White Karahi. But from which animal? We asked – Lamb. Tracey was worried it could have been Goat, her favourite animal. There is a new term that Hector has unearthed to describe Taste. It is difficult when writing about Curry to ensure that One gets Taste and Flavour sorted. So here we go – Umami – Meaty and Savoury !!! The Ribs were decidedly – Umami.
Waris brought a Plate of Potato Fritters. Not since the days of working in Wilson’s Bar (Byres Rd.) back in the 1970s has Hector had Fritters with Curry. The Curry bought at the Takeaway next to what is now the Three Judges and the Fritters from the Chip Shop next to the former Post Office. This took me back. Nigel at the 
There was much thanking and acknowledgement of the Extraordinary Afternoon. A Ritual Photo of The Chaps had to me made. Waris describe another version of Karahi he would like to cook for us. I told him that I judge a Curry House not just on whether they can produce Outstanding Curry, but whether they can Replicate the Feat.
Earlier in the day I met Tim and after a lengthy discussion about the improvement in the Quality and Range of Ale in Helensburgh he added – I do read your (Curry) Blog. Later a Chap I barely recognised said – Hi Hector – as we waited at the Bar. It is a pleasure to be recognised and gratifying to know the people who read these humble pages. A Night out in Helensburgh can only end in Curry-Heute. The choice of Venues is soon to expand as the Teak and Ash is currently being converted. It will be visited one day soon. Meanwhile, there really is only One Helensburgh Curry House, 
As we ate there was discourse developing between ourselves and the Indian Family. Ashgar came over and said they were in fact from India and were touring Scotland. Where should they go? Hector was now in full Hector Mode. Having established they were Oban bound, a well known and reliable Curry Website revealed the name – 
£0.00. Thank you for coming.