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, The Akash (45 Sinclair St, Helensburgh, G84 8TG). Rashid and Ashgar are happy to go the Extra Mile to ensure that the Customer is served exactly what they desire.
It was approaching 22.00 when Steve and Hector entered the upstairs premises. A Couple were on the raised dais to the rear, in the middle of the room and Indian Family were Dining.
The Menu was brought by Irfan and instantly dismissed. A new challenge – Please Feed us. Ashgar appeared from the Kitchen to verify. Anything but a Chicken Main Course – was the clarification. And so Steve and Hector were Fed.
The Starters
A Pair of Shami Kebabs (each) were brought plus a Plate of Chicken Chat. The Masala covering the Chicken was Tasty. The Chicken was – melt in the mouth. Fear not, Dear Reader, I have not lost it.
The Meaty Kebabs were suitably Spiced, hitting the back of the throat, – oh yes!
The Mains
Steve had told me how Large the Naans had become, now I witnessed this for myself – Gosh. The Bread was thoroughly Cooked and Fresh. A bit more of a Burnt Exterior and this would have been Stunning, not too shabby as served though. A Plate of Pilau Rice also made an appearance. These are the Two Accompaniments Hector rarely orders these days, a fine change.
Two Karahi were brought, One was a refined version of the Hector Special – Lamb Karahi with Extra Methi. The balance has been redressed here, not as Extreme as first served, a Temperate Hector Special. There is only One Dish which can compete with Lamb Karahi – another Lamb Karahi. The Second Dish was served with the Lamb on-the-bone in a more Traditional Masala. Rashid, beavering away in the Kitchen has a Masala that is Flavoursome and Spicy. To be served Lamb on-the-bone without Pre-ordering was impressive. Perhaps One now has to ask on every visit what Desi Dishes are available.
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 – Light of India. I had already written Crinan Canal as a stop off place en route. By now the Two Chaps were standing beside Steve and Hector as we Dined. Curry and Curry Conversation – simultaneously, how good was this? Inverness was their next stopover – Rajah – and then on to Aberdeen – Shri Bheema. Oops, Hector forgot about the Echt Tandoori. Taking the Calling Card they promised to study this Website, so if so, Echt is 20km inland from Aberdeen, and Book in advance! Sadly, Glasgow, they had done already.
The Bill
£0.00. Thank you for coming.
Ashgar had expressed his thanks for me taking time to give the Route Plan to the Co-Diners. Steve couldn’t believe The Bill. A First. However, there was no way this Offer could be accepted and so we both paid the standard £15.00 that is the – Wednesday and Thursday order all you wish deal.
The Aftermath
The last train was at 23.10. It was 23.08 when the latest Ritual Photos were begun. Hector had to acknowledge that the Akash (New-co) have just won Restaurant of the Year – SW Scotland – in the Scottish Curry Awards. Given the Mammoth Input that Ashgar and Rashid have undertaken and the Desire to Please, this is truly deserved.
Sitting at the Place of Work this morning waiting for the Official Start of the day, Hector spotted an announcement on a well known media site. Naveed from 
Assuming I had been sent for a long wait, all the Toys were brought. So this is the First ever Live Curry-Heute Blog entry from a Curry House. Who needs the BBC? And as far as ‘The Other’ BBC goes, nothing from them yet either.
The usual Complimentary Poppadom and Spiced Onion arrived in a Flash. Alan had texted this morning to inform me that an Award Winning Helensburgh Curry House had offered him Complimentary Poppadoms and then charged for them. Who wins awards anyway? Hector was busy writing up last night’s Curry on the Hill.
The Aloo Gobi was not ordered, it just came, the 
As I was putting the finishing touches to the above, a Chap entered carrying samples. Shkoor engaged him, they were discussing the redecoration of the Restaurant.
This venue is the former Coach House, a Pub. The place is vast. We were taken through the Bar and Reception area where people may sit and have an Aperitif, and beyond a Dining Room to a Conservatory style Dining area where four other groups of Diners were located. We were all the Window Dressing.
Hector had already studied The Menu online. Garam Masala was the most Hector-like Curry on offer – Our Master Chef’s secret fusion of fifteen exotic Punjabi spices creates this gorgeous garam masala…simply bursting with flavours of the Subcontinent! I would however ask about the Special Karahi Bhuna – Sonny’s favourite and a must for die-hard curry lover with its fusion of capsicum and onions simmered karahi-style in a rich and spicy tarka…superb! Sonny recommended the latter. He described the Garam Masala as being – More Spicy, but just the One Taste, whereas the Karahi Bhuna had a greater variety of Spices. A Plain Paratha (£2.25) would accompany.
The Aloo Gobi was a Winner from the moment it arrived. The Portion was as Large as the Mains. With Minimal Masala this looked the business. The Seasoning was to the fore, the Flavours Intense. This is what Hector looks for in Curry. This was the most memorable part of the meal.
Steve was always up for a return to 
The adjacent Couple were finishing their Feast, there was a Single Lamb Chop which had not been touched. Hector did not have to be asked Twice. The offer was accepted. I have not to my knowledge experienced the Lamb Chops as a Starter served here. Oh yes. I recommend these. The Couple also confirmed their appreciation of the Curry that is served here.
The Fourth Chapatti was ordered and presented at precisely the correct moment.
Babu Bombay Street Kitchen (186 West Regent St, Glasgow, G2 4RU) was visited earlier this month, Fast Food, Indian-style. Opening at 07.00 on Weekdays, I had hoped they might be open this morning a bit earlier than the official Saturday10.00 opening time. Arriving at 09.45 everything was still locked, I went round the block and returned to find the Waitress setting up. At 09.53 I realised that I was standing at the corner of Blythswood Square, perhaps not the best of places to be – Hanging about… I was invited in – Thank you!
The Keema Pau from my last visit was foremost in the mind . I was informed that Curry would not be served until later, Breakfast was the deal. Chapatti Rolls – comprising of Delicious Bacon or Bombay Omelette were on the A4 poster. Hold it, The Big Boy combined both of these for £4.50.
The Bill
Such Politeness
The Karahi Gosht was on-the-bone, this was unexpected and welcomed. The Spice Level was not in-your-face (compared to the Starters) but there was a Kick. The Ginger strips gave a welcomed Crunch, slowly the palate appreciated that what was being consumed was impressing more with each mouthful. The Rice was more Plain than I had anticipated given the – Desi – appellation. The Rice also soaked up the Masala which commendably was not excessive. A good Onion base and not too Oily, the Masala oozed quality. What felt Mainstream at the start was certainly impressing by the end. Is there any more?
Hector has not visited these premises as often as would have been predicted given that this is the only Source of Bradford Curry in Glasgow. Only on Sundays does 
That were al-right – as Ricky remarked about the Best of 
All of this had taken time. I was well into the time period to prepare the Goshat Karahi. The Plan appeared to be working. There was time to relax and take in the surroundings. Still the scaffolding shrouds the premises, still the Takeaway Trade is Brisk. Two Families with Children had sat during my visit, the First enjoying Curry, the Second, Pizza. I hope never to sample 
The Lamb was Beautifully Cooked. The Bone Content was sufficient to add the Secret Flavours. The Portion size was beyond reproach. The Masala was exactly how Hector desires it, Thick and Minimal. The Oil content added that Extra Something. One can easily Over-indulge on this, The Friends of Hector have at times. Not to come here is part of the Strategy of keeping the Enjoyment Factor so high. The Pleasure Rating is what motivates The Blogger. To keep writing. (Maybe I can keep this below 1000 words, Jonathan.)
We have tried to workout what makes the 
Ricky, Our Man from Bradford, and Hector had previously dined at this Curry House. We had been impressed enough to agree that if we were having a Curry on This Trip, it would be at 
Last Visit, the Vegetable Rice impressed, especially with the Cheese content, Hector kept to the Tried and Tested and also ordered a Dal Makhani (Medium) for All to share. Mushroom Pilao for Steve, and Piaza Pilao (Onions) completed the Rice order. Geoff ordered a Naan, and Marg a Garlic Naan.
The Kadhai Lamb was decidedly Spicy. I’m blown away by Spice – remarked Geoff. It’s my own fault for asking for it Spicy. I’m burning. Well, it did have a Kick, that the Man from L666s would be shocked by Decent Curry, is the attitude of us from Glasgow and Bradford. For Hector the Seasoning was pitched at the right level permitting the other Flavours to come though. Ricky had a Nibble just to confirm this was Decent Curry. Marg, however, had the Best Dish of them all. Excellent! The Kadhai Fish had similarly Sufficient Masala but had the added Bonus of the Fish. This was Truly Impressive and will be the Dish for Hector on his next visit.
Of the Lamb Spinach, That were alright – Said the Man from Bradford. I said that last time. Praise indeed.
Marg and Hector passed within One street of Roti Roti (Weglova 4, 31-063, 
Lamb Bhuna Gosht look to be the most Hector-like Curry, however the Waitress said there was none left. Lamb Vindaloo, Pork was also on offer, was described as being served in a – Red Onion Sauce. There was 
The Curry was presented with the Paratha in Quarters and sat on the Side. This was clearly Very Poor. Peely Wally may not be a known term to the good people of Krakow, but this best describes this piece of Bread masquerading as Indian Food. Too Thin, Undercooked and no sign of it ever having been near a Tandoor.
