There was a Spintaneous call for Ale at The Sir Howard Young (sic). How we stayed so long is unfathomable such was the dreadful array of Ale on offer. The call for Curry-Heute was less than Spontaneous, it was written. The Akash (45 Sinclair St, Helensburgh, G84 8TG) remains the – Helensburgh Venue of Choice.
Jamie had a plan to maximise the welcome, he would enter first with Hector following on. Steve disappeared, to his usual place and was welcomed eventually. We had a new Curryateer this evening, Jamie #2.
Complimentary Poppadoms and Dips were provided with minimal fuss. Whose place setting would be clean at the end of the session and who made this mess?
Ashgar and Irfan as ever were determined to make the visit as memorable as possible. The Menu was waived by Jamie #2 and Steve who followed the Hector Lead – Bring us the Best Lamb Curry you can. Only Dried Methi was available.
Jamie ordered the Balti Exotica which featured Lamb, Prawn & Chicken. Two out of Three ain’t bad.
Some ordered Yellow Fizz, Hector stuck to the Sparkling Water.
Chapattis, a Naan, and an Aloo Paratha would accompany. Hector failed to notice that Jamie had sneaked in a Keema Paratha. Who ordered Rice with Nuts?
We were promised an extra Dish – Something Special. Jamie informed Jamie #2 this was the advantage of – Dining with Hector. Looking the Gift Horse in the Mouth, Hector ensured that Chicken and the Dreaded Vegetable would not feature. All was well. Jamie appears to have come on board with – Lamb, despite his lapse this evening.
On arrival, the Akash was empty, though the Takeaway Trade was at its customary level. Familiar Faces collected or transported Curry. Another Couple did sit on the raised Dias and departed towards the end of our lengthy visit. A quiet Friday.
The Balti Exotica looked similar, really, to the Three Other Dishes presented. Jamie sung the praises of the Lamb. The Unnamed Curry was somewhat Mainstream.
The Lamb was Tender, the Dish required more Seasoning and there was way more Masala than I presently feel comfortable with. The Methi was understated. Still, it was Curry, so what’s not to like?
The Aloo Paratha was better than anything that has come Hector’s way of late. I still hanker over more Flakiness. This was Very Good. It was only towards the end of the session that Hector spotted the significance of the other Paratha on the table. A Keema Paratha, whose interior revealed Discrete Mince Pieces, not the slab of Donner-like Meat that too many present. This will have to be explored further, next visit.
Jamie #2 has only recently returned to Blighty and so was approaching raptures about this Unnamed Curry. He remarked on the Quality of the Lamb, the Depth of Flavour and that whilst Spiced, the Dish was not OTT. Hector suspects that Jamie #2 may appear in more Curry-Heute Blogs.
For once, Hector was not recording quotes. The Camera is still in Hospital and the Battery in the increasingly less than Trusty Samsung is draining fast of late, inbuilt obsolescence? The Trusty Samsung was therefore used to record the Photos. Somewhere in the Photo-Frenzy, Steve was overlooked.
The Something Special arrived, Lamb Chops with Potato. This was shared. The Kick was there, the Seasoning was spot-on, the Masala was Minimal and Thicker. A Curry fit for The Hector! This was looking like another Hector Special at the Akash, however, Jamie had another plan, two in one night. Ashgar agreed to consider the title: Jamie Lamb Chop Special Aloo.
I had to ask – Why didn’t you bring us Three Portions of this? Twenty Four Hours notice is required to order this Dish. One assumes this is all they had. Whose Dinner was it?
More Yellow Fizz, for some.
The Bill
£61.80. Four People: Five Portions of Curry, Numerous Breads, Lager too.
The Aftermath
Ashgar showed Hector an Advert which they place periodically in a Local Publication. The number of offers available is now extensive. Friday and Saturday are the only days when the a la Carte Prices apply, for the rest of the week one can dine a la carte but enjoy significant savings. Look how little we were charged this evening. As always, any Curry Dish one can describe, the Akash will prepare with Twenty Four Hours notice.
Curry Competition in Helensburgh is tough, and it is soon to become tougher.
Lamb on-the-bone was arranged for Thursday prior to an evening work commitment. The New Season at the Akash is under-way. Lamb Methi Achari Madras on-the-bone, aka – Hector Special #2 – next time?
The Lady may have more to say…
Whilst Hector &Co spent the afternoon in Paisley, the rest of – The Company – were at a different Venue from our Norm. The Vale, at Queen St. Station, had publicised the availability of Oakham’s Green Devil, the Ale of The Moment. Robin, Jonathan, Howard and Hector decided we had better go and help The Others finish the Cask. Mission accomplished it was time for Curry-Heute.
A Upstairs Party of Eighteen were departing as we arrived, it is good to see this Venue attracting numbers, they deserve it such is the Outstanding Quality of the Fayre. A Couple were also finishing in the Downstairs Café area where we took our seats.
This is the Best Aloo Gosht I’ve ever had.
With Phone already in-hand, The Köln-Bonn Flughafen Ping drew my attention to incoming email. Incoming does not normally distract The Hector from his Curry, however, the name…
Lamb on-the-bone. Wonderful, Outstanding, The Flavours, The Ginger Strips, The Tender Lamb, The Spice, The Minimal Masala, The Fresh Chillies, The Oil, The Flavours – again, The Kick was Unforgiving. There was Satisfaction mixed with Sadness at the end. I should really consider ordering Karahi Gosht by the Half Kilo as my Standard Portion.
An early start was decreed today, an Opperchancity for Breakfast at Babu Bombay Street Kitchen (186 West Regent St, Glasgow, G2 4RU). Arriving after 11.00, Hector hoped the Lunchtime Menu would be available, alas not, Noon. Last time I was told 11.00.
The Wrap made me pause monetarily. I do not have a huge amount of experience tackling Food served in this manner. A Bit of disassembly felt necessary, then the devouring began. As I have written previously, this redefines Beacon and Egg. The Quantity is Perfect for this time of day. Coriander for Breakfast, what a Tasty Way to start the day.
h
Entering just after 17.00, I was pleased to see a Couple in front of me being greeted so warmly, there were embraces. Hector misses Hassan from 
The Smiling Waiter brought some Broken Poppadoms and Three Dips. Complimentary, as they should be. I sampled little of the Lime Pickle so as not to contaminate the Palate for the imminent Achari.
The Paratha was Halved, better than Quartered, but still – why? It was not as Flaky as is the Hector Standard. Too Doughy. Worth the price? No, Disappointing.
So the Website says. 
The Pakora arrived First, Eight Pieces for £3.85, Twice the value witnessed of late in Angus/Aberdeenshire. The Pakora was remarkably Fresh, Hector restricted his intake to Two Pieces as this was Marg’s selection. We were halfway through the Pakora when the remainder of the Dishes were brought out.
The Mince Palak Methi lacked Seasoning and would have benefited from more Methi. Keema Mutter is part of Hector’s staple diet, this disappointed. 
The Associate brought an Oblong Crockery Plate and a Basket. The latter had two Chapattis which I can only describe as being from the Oatmeal Flour version. Large, Chunky, Body, Hot, Superb.
The Chapattis performed well. The First Scoop of Masala was impressive. Seasoning, a Sense of Kick. This Curry would not be demanding, but it became very pleasing. This is not Hector being wishy-washy, simply enjoying The Pleasure of what is called – Curry. Of course the Lamb was Tender. Twelve Pieces, only Three with Bones. For the record, Two were – Sucky Bones. Marrow – Mmmm. This was a Satisfying Portion. I missed an Interesting Vegetable, but was more than happy to accept what had been given. The Plate was wiped clean. I would certainly eat this again. With some of the Egg Curry as a Side.
Mein Host accepted the Calling Card.
I shall come back and try the Keema, it looks Good.
June 7 
On the last visit, we were embarrassed by the effort that had been applied. Today, another Platter of what can only be referred to as – 
The lack of – Red – in the Masala was most apparent. The First Taste gave away the Salt and Pepper Base to the Dish. The Lamb was Magnificent. Stewart wondered how I was able to – suck the bones – and he wasn’t. Choose the right ones! The Masala was how Hector considers it should be served, Enough, with the Oil collecting at the Karahi Base, Thick, Well- Seasoned, The Kick, Perfect. So Meaty and Savoury – Umami – it was. The Joy of Eating Curry at its Finest.
What we had here was halfway between the Afghan/Punjabi White Karahi and the Traditional Punjabi Karahi. I regard this Dish today as a Major Revelation, The Chaps will no doubt be making enquiries as to when Hector plans to return, Mob handed probably.
The Young Waiter knew when to appear and how not to be in our faces. There was an offer of Coffee or Tea which was declined. However he did present us with Fresh Jalabee as a Complimentary Dessert. I have seen this before but have never been tempted. Hector prefers Savoury to Sweet. However, it would be rude not to…
Actually they have been here for a while, on and off. Meanwhile 
Menus were brought, Poppadoms and enough Spiced Onion for Seven were provided without a word.
Starters were mooted. Beverley announced a Mixed Pakora early, to share with Ryan. Australian Curry Houses sell Bhaji, not Pakora. (I must get the Pakora Recipe posted…). Graeme was determined to choose something different from his Aberdeen Sources: Mazadar Machli Tikki, Fish Cakes to anyone else. With the – something different – in mind, Hector decided it was Quail Day. Bataira was described as having Herbs and Crushed Black Pepper. Mmmm.
Rice Variants, Chapattis and Garlic Naans would be the Accompaniments.
A Half Kilo of Lamb Desi Kourma next visit.
A Text Conversation between Hector and Shkoor @
