Mahogany – Teachers’ New Year
Have I mentioned I’m on holiday?
The Academic Year reaches a conclusion, Marg is dropped off at Glasgow Airport (Hockey in Wales), G-RAF – the First Glasgow Real Ale Festival in Eighteen Years (I still make it Seventeen), definitely time for Curry!
The Rickmeister is in town, working at G-RAF which opened today at 17.00. So no surprise that Ricky and Dr. Stan took a break at 18.00 to join Hector for Curry. The Venue had to be near The Briggait, Hector had this in hand – Charcoals Cafe (74 Trongate, 
Glasgow, G1 5EP) is One of Four Glasgow City Centre Curry-Houses still to be visited. Opened last year, this is the Sister Restaurant to the very successful Charcoals in Renfield St. The latter has come a long way since they redesigned the interior and transformed themselves from the appearance of a Takeaway Venue.
The New Venue is a Bright, Open Room with the same sense of informality as the Parent House. This revue is becoming incestuous.
John was here a couple of weeks ago and reported a Good Experience. He took them on and basically asked for The Hector Curry by means of adapting what was on The Menu. He noted that Chapattis were not on the Menu but available on demand, so forewarned, I knew exactly what to ask for.
Dr. Stan and Ricky were happy to follow the Hector Lead. The Menu has Lamb Desi (on-the-bone) with Methi and Karahi appearing as Separate Dishes. As was created so successfully at the Punjabi Charing Cross, a combination of these is really what is desired.
The Waiter noted the order. Three Desi Lamb with Methi and Extra Seasoning in Two only.
On mentioning – Methi – the Waiter said – Chicken. This puzzled us. Why did he say that? Lamb was restated, he appeared to have grasped the order. Four Chapattis (price unknown) and a Plain Naan were the Accompaniments.
Tap Water was the Liquid Refreshment, brought in Glasses, eventually a Jug made an appearance, however, the Waiter insisted on pouring.
Two Curry Portions were topped with Two Pieces of Tomato and the reminder with One. A simple way to differentiate the Extra seasoning from the Norm. A Basket with Quartered (why?) Chapattis came with the Curry, presumably to share. Another Basket arrived soon afterwards, better. The Curry was Visually Stunning – Thick and Herbs most evident. I prodded the Mash with my spoon and felt something Hard, Bone presumably, all was well.
It became apparent very soon that we had not been given Lamb on-the-bone, The Hector had in fact struck Cinnamon Bark. The Lamb was Incredibly Tender, so well cooked that it was heading towards Mush but was not there. It’s great how Chefs can keep Lamb on-the-edge in this manner. The Seasoning was exactly as hoped for, present but not so that Salt was dominant. The Herb Flavours emerged, Hector loves his Methi. The Kick was Significant but not overwhelming, a Good Balance.
The Chapattis were a disappointment. I prefer to tear off my own strips, not be issued with Fractions of a Chapatti. Too, Thin and Flimsy, the Chapattis did their job, just. However, Crisping set in as they cooled. Half Chapatti – Half Roti?
I enjoyed that – remarked The Man from Bradford.
Mmm – was Dr. Stan’s concurring statement. Then he was carried away – It was Good, Mmm.
There was no denying we had been served Quality Curry, but what exactly had we been given?
Mein Host came over to make the Customary Check.
Your Menu states that Lamb Desi is on-the-bone.
He went away to check the Order and returned to state that we had not been given Lamb Desi, but Lamb Methi. He confirmed that it is possible to have Lamb Desi with Methi. So why had we not been given what we asked for?
The Bill
£38.10. The Man from Bradford thought this was expensive compared to Bradford Prices. When I pay this usually there is a Sparkling Water included, not today, so Ricky has a point.
The Aftermath
Mein Host was given the Calling Card and the Curry-Heute Website set to Charcoals was shown.
It was agreed I would return for the Desi a la Hector.
Maybe next time.
An Unreliable Website stated that Café Saffron was open today from Noon until 14.30. I should have phoned ahead. It wasn’t. Today was not an exception, Café Saffron opens evenings only.
I was warned that the Bombay Blast would be Spicy. Spice is not a problem. – I disclosed.
OK, Hector injects some Humour; this is a Very Impressive piece of Architecture, housing Our Collective Heritage. To stand at The Despatch Box in the House of Commons makes one wonder why some choose this career path, Fame? Fortune? Flipping Expenses? As for The House of Lords, I felt no Bond.
The Main Course had us puzzled, still does. There is an agreement that the Core Meat was surrounded by a Ham of some type. The Core Meat was Pink with what could well have been a Fatty Cloak. Now they wouldn’t have served us Ham wrapped in Ham, would they? Some thought it was Beef, but the Texture was not right and there was no way Hector could have eaten Raw Beef, could he? The Potato Creation was better than Two Scoops of Mash.
a, however, the Appetite had been Sated. And so back to the Terrace, waving at the passing River Boats and their Parties. We were invited to leave just after 23.00 having had a longer innings than we were led to believe.
I was informed that due to my – Love of Methi – they had prepared a Methi Paratha, a First. The other was the Standard Aloo Paratha. Both were in the Stuffing/Layered Mode, were Fresh, Large and tending towards a Sense of Flaky. Hector rarely finishes one Paratha, t
The Masala was Fibrous in Texture with copious Fresh Methi. Normally Chefs add Spinach too, none was evident and so the Full Methi Blast was there. Those who enjoy the Earthy Curry Taste would love this. There’s more. The Karela, the Bitter Vegetable, was doing its job too. A wonderful Bitterness, a Counterpoint to the Sweeter Dishes that I have experienced in recent travels. The Tender Lamb was on-the-bone. I could easily have devoured a Half-Kilo and so was already mentally making Plans for a Co-Diner to share a Kilo in the future. Dr. Stan admits he does get around to reading this Humble Blog, Gotcha’! Tell me when.
It was agreed that I would return later in the Year to do The Kilo.
![Charity Curry Night June 2014 [Maureen]](https://curry-heute.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Charity-Curry-Night-June-2014-Maureen-212x300.jpg)
The Poster said – All You Can Eat Buffet. For some this can be a modest amount. For those who starve themselves in advance, this can be quite an intake. People, I find, normally overdose on the Starters and then do not do the Curry Range justice. With only Vegetable Pakora listed this should not have been a problem, however, a couple of days ago, Maureen sent out an email advising the Attendees that Sonny was expanding the Starter Range to include Poppadoms and Dips, Achari Potatoes, Desi Mushrooms and Masala Chips. So no chance of – Overdosing on Starters – then.
at this all day. Jeera Chicken has to go on the New Menu! Achari Eggs too!
Okra and Onion Featured, as did a Blast of Seasoning. I would love to sample this again. There was no evidence of the Chicken ever having visited a Tandoor. Chicken Korma was a fair description. Perhaps – My Friends had eaten it all.
The Lamb Mint was up First. The Masala was suitably Thick, the Seasoning was again up to the hoped-for standard in any Curry. Mint is not amongst Hector’s Favourite Flavours, fortunately the Mint was not Overwhelming and so – A Pleasant Variation – is the verdict here. Sonny would state later that this would be served – on-the-bone – in future. Anthony was motivated to give an on the record quote – The Minty Lamb was a Subtle Melange in which the Mint did not dominate.
The Vegetable Desi #3 had a Dark Masala, Thick with Shredded Onion and featuring Carrots, Peas and Okra. The Kick was there and the Seasoning was a Blast! This was definitely High on the 
By this time the Limits to Consumption were rapidly approaching. Only a Soupçon of the Chicken on-the-bone could be faced. As with the Lamb, there was a Dark, Thick, Well-seasoned Masala. The reason for dismissing this was down to the word Spreading around the Table. Michael and Anthony had both been taken aback by the White Karahi. Bearing absolutely – No Resemblance – to the White Karahi served recently by 
I was amused when Sonny presented this Dish with this Name. Again a Chicken Dish with a Creamy Masala, this was not for the Faint of Heart. When Sonny came over for my Verbals, I described the White Karahi as being similar to Makhani. He did not disclose the presence of Cheese, indeed he was giving nothing away in terms of Recipes. And why should he? Has Hector really just highlighted Two Chicken Dishes?
Hector knows his Curry, and how it is cooked – was Sonny’s remark to the rest of The Company.
Where has the last month gone? I reckoned I must have been here since the last trip to The Staggs, Musselburgh. A 
A New Waiter plonked down a Minimal Salad, one had to smile. At least there was Raita to make it Interesting. This was ignored initially, but came into its own moments later.
Tandoori Chops, Sublime. I was taken back to Greece 1984 when I first had a Chop prepared in such a manner, and that was Pork! Instinctively the Salad and Raita formed the Perfect Accompaniment. No Fuss indeed.
A Regular at the New Karahi Palace over many years it was inevitable our paths would cross. He loves his Curry and rates this Venue highly. The Calling Card was handed over. He may well introduce himself in the days to come.
Ayaz and Hector had a long discussion. He started by asking if I had been to – … the Place along the road.
Established in 2008, Chillies West End (176-182 Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LL) has been on the radar for sometime. It has the Aura of a Chain which is why I have not eaten here before, yet apart from here, they only have a Takeaway on the Southside. To my current knowledge this is therefore a Local Firm. Marg and Hector were in the mood for Tapas a couple of years back and so dropped in one Sunday afternoon. Realising there was nothing Spanish we left. Yes, Hector does eat other Food.
Entering just before 17.00 I was the First Customer of the evening. A Chap was leaving with a Massive Pizza, so the Usual Kebab House Fayre is on offer here too. The Reception doubles as the Takeaway Area. From the street the seating area is highly visible, it was instinct then a Waiter which took me to the right and towards one of the two tables for two at the window. The Hector was Window Dressing once again.
Whilst I waited I could not help but notice the Statue erected along the road in memory of Bud Neill’s Cartoon Hero – Lobey Dosser, the Sheriff of Calton Creek, accompanied by Rank Bajin, on the famous Two Legged Horse – El Fideldo. Glasgow Culture. We have a sense of humour.
The Chops were not the Largest, but they were decidedly Tasty. Had they not impressed I would not have ordered more. By the time I had eked out Portion #1, Portion #2 arrived. Again more Masala than Meat, but at least I knew now I would be Fed, the Excellent Paratha would take care of that.
The Botanic Gardens from Kelvinbridge to Kelvindale then another Tunnel on to Ruchill Golf Course. With George and a Torch initially, who could afford Batteries? A Stick scraped along the Wall proved sufficient in the end. No Rats, there was no Food.
The Menu was fortunately not vast, enough choice, none of the Two Hundred Variations from the same pot nonsense. Poppadoms were most definitely not Complimentary. 95p was listed at the Start then again with the Breads at the end of The Menu. ,
The Machi Masala was brought by the Waiter. Soup!
my Main Course. I was. Moments later the Curry and Bread were brought.
At £6.95 I have paid More and received Less. There was enough Tender Lamb with added Pieces of Potato. A Decent Quantity. More Seasoning and More Kick required, however, was this the penalty for sampling the Mongshor Jhol so soon after The Fish? There was nothing here NOT to like.
Rishi’s Indian Aroma, with branches in 
A familiar face was serving. Two Big Curry Pots were on the go. One had Vada Pau a Vegetarian Curry, calm, and Keema Pau. On my first visit to 
