Curry-Heute – Exploring the World of Curry

Italia, Belgium, Deutschland, Nederland and now Aberdeenshire, Hector’s Summer Roaming reaches a conclusion at the Echt Tandoori (Echt, Westhill, Aberdeenshire, AB32 6UL).  This was Hector and Marg’s third visit, however this evening, The Echt Six were reduced to The Core Echt Four. Kenny and Ms X would make up The Other Couple.

The Table was booked a few days back for 20.00. There was a telephone call yesterday at lunchtime to reconfirm the booking. Do people not show? Arriving a couple of minutes before 20.00 The Waiter showed us through to the lounge, I knew there was one, but had never seen it. It was little more than a holding cell, I had wondered if people used it as a Lounge, probably not. As on previous visits, there was a strong aroma of Dark Red Chillies associated with South Indian Cuisine. To date I have not seen any Dish served with these, a puzzle yet to be solved.

Marg took a seat, I began reading the various articles posted on the walls. Before I could take anything in, we were called through to our table.

The tables were set up formally with tablecloths and rose petals, all would be occupied within the next half hour. This is a venue to which people come – To Dine. With some Catching-up to do, we would hopefully be here for the duration.

We were given Menus whilst we waited. Hector had already chosen his Dish by studying the online menu. Last time I wished to replicate the Dish that impressed so much on Visit #1, however, there is no mobile signal this deep into Aberdeenshire and so I chose the Khazana Lamb. When The Bill came this was listed as Rezzala, so I am unsure what I actually ate. What was The Hector Curry Choice for today? Again with no signal I was relying on the fading memory was it Bombay Flame Lamb – a hot curry cooked with Potatoes and special naga sauce? Posted under the heading – Sylheti Dishes, I dismissed this due to the fact that I intended ordering a Side of Aloo Gobi which has always pleased. Khazana Lamb was considered.

Noting on Visit #2 that a Portion of Pakora was in fact four pieces for £4.50, I drew Marg’s attention to the Mixed Platter at £6.95. With Shami Kebab, Chapli Kebab, Chicken and Lamb Tikka and a Prawn this potentially could be more satisfying and better value.

A Waiter took our Drinks order. The Cobra Lager had not impressed last time, Kingfisher please.

Kenny and his Lady arrived. We are going to see a lot of Kenny on TV in the next few weeks. The World is going to see a lot of Kenny in the next few weeks. As an Aberdeen Businessman who is campaigning for Scotland to Vote – Yes! – he has interviews lined up with every major TV News Channel on the planet. The World is interested in Scotland. Will we divorce the English? Not before time.

Another Waiter offered us Poppadoms. Why not just bring them? A Drinks order was given for the new arrivals. All Four Drinks arrived together, both pints of Kingfisher were warm. Warm Lager – ugh!

Would you like some Poppadoms? – asked a different Waiter. On seeing a table with Drinks and no Poppadoms, a Third Waiter offered us Poppadoms, again declined. We Four were apparently of the same opinion as is voiced on the Homepage of this Website. Poppadoms should be brought and not charged for. We agreed to share one portion of the Mixed Platter. I had hoped we would order Two.

The Ladies both commented on the three dismissals of Poppadoms. In the car afterwards there was a feeling that one Waiter should have been allocated to our table to avoid this pestering. To be fair, the manners of the staff were impeccable. They were no doubt acting as they had been trained. I don’t think we were making their task any easier by prolonging the Catching-up when we should have been making our choice of Mains. We were in no hurry.

And so The Mains were ordered

For Hector – Khazana Lamb – a spicy, hot dish for the connoisseur of fine indian cuisine cooked with fresh ginger and a thick sauce, presented to you madras strength.

It’s Hot – warned The Waiter. Not a problem – was Hector’s customary reply. Can I confirm there are No Capsicum served in this Dish?   The Waiter looked puzzled.

None are mentioned, I just wish to ensure they don’t sneak in. The same request was made when the Aloo Gobi was announced. A Plain Paratha too.

If my system of Capitalising Nouns for emphasis puzzles some Readers, then the author of The Menu must also have a sense of playfulness with the language, I like this.

For Marg – Lamb Karahi – The very rich flavour is obtained by using fresh ginger, garlic and green peppers.

Can I have it without the Capsicum? – insisted Marg. Again noted. Kenny had to ask what we were omitting and why. The use of Green Pepper as Ballast was explained, in addition to the unwelcome Texture and after-taste. A Chapatti also.

For Kenny – Echt Special Masala – Chicken Tikka, lamb tikka and Bay of Bengal king prawns taken from the Tandoor. Boiled Rice and a Plain Naan would accompany this.

For Mrs. Kenny – Lamb Malaya – Lightly spiced curry, cooked with chunks of pineapple. Again with Boiled Rice.

There is a bump on the floor outside the kitchen which causes the trolley bringing out the Various Dishes to announce its presence. The trolley kept passing me by. All the Mains looked impressive, very little sign of Soupy Curry. Serving the Aberdeenshire Hinterland, all but a few have to drive here. To have this within an affordable taxi fare should be attractive to The Locals. Hector would be driving out here every day if he lived in this county.

The Mixed Platter arrived with four separate plates, each set out with Salad and a Dip. Given that Four were sharing one Starter I must say this was outstanding service. The majority of venues would have had us using thesSide-plates and sharing one Dip.

The Shami and Chapli Kebabs were not full size, how could they be with the Chicken and Lamb Tikka too. Quartered Kebabs and a piece of Lamb and Chicken each, this was a mouthwatering overture. A severed Prawn was left. Was that it, or had one of us snaffled it and not let on?

Next time, Marg and Hector will share one Portion. No Lamb Chops on the menu.

Kenny and Hector moved on to Cobra. It was cool, but is still a pretty awful Lager. Why was Hector not on his usual Sparkling Water? It’s a Friday Night, and this is it.

Works of Art v Space Invaders

The Lamb Malay aside which was served in a Bowl due to the Soupy nature of this Korma variant, the Presentation of the Curry Dishes was second to none. But!

At each of the corners of Hector’s plate were slivers of Green Pepper. Plonked in the middle of the Curry Dishes was a Red/Yellow Bell Pepper cut decoratively. Marg and Hector quickly rounded up these Specifically not-asked-for Invaders and cast them asunder.  The Karahi looked – Excessively Soupy.

The Khazana Lamb looked Superb. One could tell from the Thickness of the Masala that this would be a Rich Tasting Dish. The Meat content was well above the norm. Getting down to business was not achievable, yet. With further Stringy Vegetable Decorations covering the Curry, care had to be taken, else one heck of a mess would be created.

The Lamb had the tell-tale Tikka Flavour. Tikka had not been mentioned. However, Lamb this Tender with this Flavour cannot be faulted, this was indeed the Best of Both Worlds. The Kick was there, the Seasoning unobtrusive but sufficient. At Echt Tandoori, One has come to expect something different, the overall Flavours achieved here are unique.

The Aloo Gobi was served as Dry as this Dish demands. A perfect volume as a Side, Marg helped herself to a couple of bits, just as well, the limits were approaching. I have had better Parathas. This was somewhere between Flaky and Greasy. Served Thin it did its job as a base for the Meat and Sauce. Back to Chapattis next time.

The Lamb Karahi had no Capsicum, apart from the aforementioned decorations. As ever, The Chef, stripped off Ballast #1 resorted to filling the plate with Onions. Big Onions. Huge Onions. Lots of Huge Onions. This keeps happening to Marg. Marg cannot stand Big Bits of Onion. She left them all! Chefs please note! This is NOT how to serve a Karahi.

Despite this, Marg thoroughly enjoyed her Curry apart from this. She said she – was initially worried about the Red. I had to cut some of the big bits of Lamb A good Chapatti. I didn’t think the Onion was needed at all. I didn’t eat any of it. The Meat and Sauce was sufficient.

Marg, as stated, did have some of the Aloo Gobi. I shall have to work on her some more. Meat and Sauce is not what Hector looks for in Curry. I still advocate the need for – The Interesting Vegetable.

Kenny was defeated by volume. Such was the intensity of the Catching-up I did not manage to record a quote. He did enjoy his Curry at his local. His Lady was clear that she – would have this again.

There’s more

The Coffee served at Echt pleases the Ladies. The oil lamps used to keep the Coffee warm add to the enjoyment. Simples. Marg wanted Ice Cream. Marg had Ice Cream. What an Ice Cream! Well the plate was – OTT. These things are remembered by some. I was here for the Curry.

The Bill

£104.15. Four Biers, One wine, Coffees, Ice Cream, it all mounts up. The Base Price for a Main Dish is around the £10.00 mark, very reasonable.

The Aftermath

We became worried around 22.00 that there might be a late sitting and our table might be needed. It was 23.20 when we left. A record for Hector. Lots of Catching -up.

The Waiter seemed insistent that we complete the Review Card that accompanied The Bill.

I prefer to do it this way – as I handed over the Calling Card. I had seen the Proprietor throughout the evening but I think he had departed by this time. No further discourse.

Aberdeen Update

There is an Aberdeen Curry House on Rose Street which will never appear in Curry Heute. Late one evening we received particularly awful service such that Robin walked. This marked the creation of the period of time known as –The Robin.  As a result, Rose St. has been passed by.

Years later, today, Marg brought Hector along Rose St, from the opposite end, behold – Shabaaz – a Curry House.

I went to investigate the Menu on display in the doorway. A mature chap was entering, having just pulled up – as seen in the photo. The Owner, one deduces. He invited us in to look further. I promised to return in December. How long have you been here – I asked. Twenty Eight Years – was the reply. Not a new venue then.

On Union St another new venue has arrived – Cumin, or is it re-branding?

Roll on December 24th.