Arrive Alive
We’re heading for home before the dawn comes…
It was a long day, The Lake District and Back. The Summer Ale Festival at Staveley, home of the Hawkshead Brewery, is now established in the Calendar. Of the Potential Curry Eaters, Dr. Stan disappeared at Oxenholme, Jonathan and Steve at Glasgow Central. This left Neil and Maggie to walk across the Clyde with Hector to Tradeston, home of The Village (119 West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA).
Despite the above lyric it was sunset we were waiting for. During Ramadan The Village serves up the Best Curry Buffet that Hector has ever experienced. Not The Bland Fayre typical of the Mainstream Buffet, but proper Curry Dishes cooked to the High Standard expected of Glasgow’s Premier Curry House.
There was a buzz about the place
Tonight would be the busiest I have seen The Village since their renovations. It is for nights like this that the extension was conceived. The Locals were dressed in their Finery, the Trusty Lumix would be busy this evening.
Lots of new, young staff had been brought in for the occasion. Mr Baig and Kasif were busy putting the final touches to the Starters. We had timed our arrival to perfection. Mein Host took the time to greet Hector. There was mention of an even Bigger Feast at the end of next week. Alas, Hector will be elsewhere.
The Array of Dates marked the beginning of The Starters. With Samosas, Pakora and some Baked Bits on display, Temptation reared its head. Overdosing on Starters means Minimal Curry. But there was a Platter of Chapli Kebabs, and the Fish in Batter looked enticing. The Mains were unveiled in their Tureens. Karela Gosht! This I have never seen at The Village, it is not on The Menu. I suggested to Mr. Baig that he have the entire Bucket sent to our table. Where to Start?
Bits of Chicken Tikka found their way on to Hector’s plate along with the Freshest of Pakora. A Samosa too, just to keep up the habit that has been acquired in recent weeks. All were Fine. The Chapli Kebab was a Treat, more Chicken. The Battered Fish Spikes were the stand out.
The Spice and Seasoning were Spot-on. I could have just eaten this for the rest of the visit. This re-defined Fish in Batter in the same way that Babu’s Bombay Street Kitchen re-defined Omelette.
Last Train from Glasgow Central
The late start meant that there was a time limit to the pleasure. Neil had the furthest to travel and so missing his train was not an option. Basically this meant the Break between Starters and Mains was curtailed. This should also reaffirm the Quality of the Starters.
The Mains
Naan Bread was available, so was Lamb Pilau. On any other day a bit of these would have been sampled. The Array of Mains was astonishing – Chicken-T-Pasta! No!
No more Pasta for Hector.
There was something for Everyone – Black Chana Curry, Aloo Mutter, Daal Mash, Chicken Karahi, Chicken Palak, Lamb Curry, and Karela Gosht!
In all my years of going to The Village, I have never sampled their straightforward Lamb Curry. I had asked Mr. Baig about Daal Makhani and was reminded that they do vary their Dishes every night. Tempting. The Black Chana Curry would be the Non-Meat Option. Karela Gosht completed The Feast. For Once the Photographic Evidence confirms Excess in Moderation.
I still prefer Chickpeas ground and turned into Falafel. I can eat Chickpeas and enjoy them on occasion. This Black Chana Curry was a knock-out. Spiced and well-Seasoned with a Texture which complemented the plateful of Meat. The Karela Gosht was everything I hoped it would be. In fact this was the most Seasoned Dish I have ever been served at The Village.
Mr. Baig came over to ask the Customary Question. I had to tell him that the Karela Gosht was Outstanding both in Flavour and for it being High on the Erlangen Scale for Salt Content. The Bitter Vegetable should be served more often. Now here is the confusing bit. Black Daal was how Mein Host described the content of the Black Chana Curry, or was he referring to Makhani. Whatever, I hope to have a Side of this on future visits.
Kasif’s Sister, Irram was also in attendance. I hear you do a Good Lamb Curry – was my comment as she cleared some of the table. On-the-bone, this would surely impress anyone who has only ever experienced The Mainstream. A step towards the other Fine Dishes on offer at The Village.
The New Manager, Andrew’s Replacement?, advised us that there is a plan to have a Regular Village Buffet on the last Thursday of the month. On the assumption that this Array of Genuine Curry Dishes was on offer, oh yes, what a Wonderful Idea.
The Bill
£35.75. £2.90 for a Large Bottle of Sparkling Water. £10.95 for The Buffet.
Yes, that’s all!
The Aftermath
The Exit was efficient. A Most Satisfying Visit. I could be tempted back….
Ironically, the First Home-Cooked Meal on the return from a Trip served at Hector’s House is traditionally – Spaghetti Bolognaise. It could still be however, for the next few days there is definitely going to be a Glasgow Curry Overdose. Maybe the Best Thing about going away is the Rejuvenated Appreciation of Home.
Websites reporting on faraway places can only be as good as the writer’s last visit. And so the sources who have four Curry Houses mapped in 
I had popped in on passing moments before the World Cup Final. It was the reality of this venue which had me suggest 
The Bill
We had spent the day at Ostia Antica and then the Lido. Somehow Lunch had been missed and Curry would be the sole Food Intake of the day. The Hector Saturday Norm. Today is Tuesday. Yes, Hector is still on Holiday, well that should be apparent already.
Maggie lost her reading glasses soon after our arrival in Roma, Clive sees little anyway. Add to this the Atmospheric Gloom of the Restaurants and Gold Shiny Paper, and well, they struggled to read The Menu.
Clive announced that his Keema Paratha was – The best I have ever had. Whilst he enjoyed the Curry, he remained convinced he had The Wrong Dish! He never did mention Capsicum again.
Onion Paratha? Maggie enjoyed this too. Lovely, lots of Onion. Like a Cheese and Onion Crisp without the Cheese.
Lamb Vindaloo, Very Spicy – said The Waiter as he placed it beside me. How did he know this was for me? A Reasonable Quantity of Meat, more than Six Pieces, most of which had to be Halved. There was a Potato content as a Vindaloo should have, but this was Minimal compared to the mass of Potato in the Jeera Aloo Dish. At first I noted the Masala to be Soupy and then re-evaluated. There was a Good Texture to the Masala. Onion-based Masala has been a rarity in Italia.
Five Shiny Metal Dishes showed the level of Overall Satisfaction.
Desert (sic)
€16.00. As One would pay at Home for a Starter and a Curry.
As a Bangladeshi Restaurant, there was no sign of Hector’s Favourite – Karahi. Vindaloo is sometimes a suitable fall-back. Clive was of a similar mind, no Dansak either. Our Hostess had already shown her charm, and so time to negotiate.
The largest platter of Boiled Rice ever seen, topped with Peas was placed on the table. This could have fed the entire street. The Parathas were not. These were Naans by any other description. Marg’s Garlic and Coriander Naan was missing the Coriander. Doughy – was how Marg described her Naan. Having accepted the Bread style I found it to be OK, but in no way a Paratha. Too Thick and too Heavy going perhaps.
The Bombay Aloo was the very last Dish to arrive. Again well Seasoned and with a Masala very similar to the Lamb Curry Dishes, this was a pleasant accompaniment. Indeed, the Curry Experience felt more complete when the Potatoes were combined with the Lamb.
The Rice did look like Basmati but had not been properly rinsed. Too Starchy – was Maggie’s verdict. Pudding Rice with Peas. One has become used to Rice being served with individual grains.
Our Hostess was clearly fascinated by The Calling Card. A good bit after The Bill was paid she came out to talk – Curry. We exchanged ideas on how to store Fresh Coriander. There was an apology for having none in the dishes today. The various Indian Cooking styles were discussed. I outlined my preference for Punjabi cooking. The History of Moon Indian was related. The venue has been here since 1999 though our Hostess had only been working here some six years. Her father, the Chef, had to learn ( Italian – offered Marg) to cook. She was interested to know where the Best Curry is to be found. 
We passed another Curry Café – Sonar Bangla. Also on Via Maqueda but North of Quatro Canti, this looked a bit more luxurious than the two café venues visited. Next time.
Samosa? Not a Town in Sicilia 
The Chaps previously. Marg opted for Vegetable, Hector Two Meat Samosas.
Touring around Palermo on the Bus, Clive and Maggie were made well aware of the Quality as #2 was consumed. Marg’s Vegetable Fayre was smaller, a different shape, Tetrahedroid? Milk Carton-shaped. Why she chose the Vegetarian Option she never revealed. This too disappeared without trace.
Gastronomia India (Via Maquerade, Palermo, Sicilia, Italia) was essentially a Takeaway with a Small Bench on One Wall for the Occasional Diner. A Chap was sitting there chatting when I entered, he gave way when it was made clear Hector was Dining In.
Another Platter of Fish appeared, I had to make it clear that only One Portion had been ordered. The Artistically Peeled Pomodoro confirmed which Plate was for Hector. I awaited the Mutter-Rice, again a Huge Portion was presented. A Salad was once again assembled from the Dishes which supply The Bits for the Kebabs.
We were offered the Second Fish to eat now. Declined. We were offered the second Fish to take Home. But we have no way of Reheating it.
Once again Half of Italia decided that Life with Pasta and Pizza is – Unfulfilling. A Group of Youths who were clearly well known to Shahadat ordered Kebabs. They were taking a Keen Interest in what was happening at the table. One Chap also spotted Hector’s second Soft Drink – Tamarind Juice. This was a First for me. As the Curry Ingredient that turns the Ordinary into Something Special, I wondered how this could possibly be served as a Drink. The Tang was there, how much Sugar had been added I didn’t bother checking. They bought a Can of Tamarind between them to share. Shahadat realised already that the presence of Hector and Curry-Heute may be good for business.
Our Hostess presented a Plate of Fruit – Dates, Grapes and Sliced Oranges, Apples and Melon.
When you come back from Agrigento, my wife will cook….