Has Hector mentioned he is on Vacation, yet?
Thursday, end of term, and so the accompanying photos will feature a Very Happy Hector, though I am pleased to note that the Conservative Pose has been maintained throughout, well almost.
Eleanor is not on Vacation yet, and so we had to wait until 21.00 when she returned from her new place of employment. This meant keeping Marg, the Designated Driver, amused.
On entering The Akash (45 Sinclair St, Helensburgh, G84 8TG) Rashid was Front of House this evening, so who was in The Kitchen? Irfan was also back in his normal place. The Company was again Five, but only Steve was leftover form Last Tuesday’s Designated Desi Night. Jamie, my future son-in-law?, made Number Five.
The Wednesday Night – Eat whatever You want from The Menu – for a Flat Fee of £15.00 has now been extended to a Thursday. Hector has never managed a Wednesday Treat and so Tonight was a First.
Starters All Round
A Plate Piled High with Poppadoms was presented immediately along with the Chutneys and Dips. A Vegetable Pakora (Marg), Mix Combo (Jamie), Chicken Chat (Steve) and a Shami Kebab for Hector were ordered. Having had a Very Hearty Lunch, Defeat was Inevitable. But hey, Hector is on Holiday! The Chicken Chat did look Unnecessarily Red.
The Mixed Combo looked Very Tempting, I must have this next time. Jamie declared he could simply just keep ordering this all night. But then, One does not fully enjoy Curry-proper. Marg loves the Pakora served at the Akash, her Favourite Vegetable Pakora, anywhere. The Shami Kebab was Light, Fresh and Soft, easy to digest, a reasonable Kick, a Perfect Starter.
Somehow Jamie appears to have acquired Lamb Chops along the way too, and what was Eleanor eating?
The Mains
Steve ordered the Lamb Karahi with Extra Spice. I’m assuming there’s Extra Methi in there – he declared. Jamie went for the Hector Special – Lamb with abundant Herbs, mostly Spinach and Methi. Very Dry, Bitter and Demanding. Eleanor chose something completely different, Lamb Mint Coriander with Pilau Rice. At least Lamb now appears to be her First Choice. Marg followed Steve and also nominated Lamb Karahi with Chapattis. Now what for the Hector?
The Hector Special #2
The Curry-Heute Test is can a Restaurant repeat a Wonderful Curry? Rashid cooked the first version of this Dish, he remembered and so suggested the – Methi Karahi Gosht Achari. Oh yes. An Aloo Paratha to Accompany. Little did Hector know, but Rashid had more up his sleeve.
And so Five Portions of Curry were distributed along with a Huge Platter of Pilau Rice and Chapattis. Everyone got tore in, as they say, except The Hector who was a Bread short.
The Hector Special Aloo Paratha – announced Irfan as he sat a Larger than Life Paratha beside me. The Interior was examined. Pieces of Potato and Fresh Coriander were evident. Fresh and Flaky, just as it should be. The Paratha is of course a mere device to scoop up the Curry. Still, this was as good as Paratha gets.
The Methi Karahi Gosht Achari was again Top Class. The Kick and the Pickle Flavour were as required. The Thick Texture of the Masala far removed from Soup. The quantity of the Tender Lamb was also impressive, there was no holding back here. This Dish now deserves the Accolade of The Hector Special #2.
Marg and Steve with their Karahi Dishes were also impressed. Tasty, quite Spicy – was Marg’s take. I concur – said Steve. Marg admitted to being too greedy with her Starter.
I finished everything and it was Wonderful as always – said Eleanor having demolished the Lamb Mint Coriander Masala. Mint Curry?
More Food Arrived
The Keema Rice which featured last week was again provided, this was an unexpected Treat. Then Rashid brought another surprise – Chicken Achari Chat is what was recorded. This took Hector back to the Unique Chicken Chat Flavours of the Original Akash. A Curry in its own right, this was Thick and Dry, just like most would not expect a Chicken Curry to appear. Yes, for the second Consecutive Week, Hector sampled Chicken Curry. This I must recommend. There was so much left it was decanted back to Hector’s House.
Jamie had the Keema Rice before him and supplemented his Chapattis by devouring this too. Excellent, I very much liked the Mince Rice. Exceptional Curry Experience – said The Man who never used to eat Curry outside Dumbarton.
The Bill
£85.50. £10.50 for Drinks. Amazing for Five Diners. Total Satisfaction.
The Aftermath
Rashid showed me a card form Ann and Bob in Linlithgow who were Regulars at their previous Venue. They apparently have made the Trip across Scotland to find the Curry they enjoy.
Meet The Chef
This is The Man who cooked your Aloo Paratha – said Rashid. And so Hector was introduced to Chef Javed.
Rashid asked about the Curry-Heute write-ups. I assured him that Every Curry Consumed is Reported in this Blog.
Wait for it
Rashid also suggested that his Wife may one day invite us round for some of her Home Cooking. Now that would be Truly Wonderful and would be a Great Follow-up to the Shahed Invitation of 2012.
Meanwhile, we have agreed there will be another Desi Night in June at The Akash.
Spectators are welcome.
I feel I am writing similar words to last night at the 
The Chap brought the food. The Paratha looked perfect, the Vegetable Curry, interesting, and the 
The Vegetable Curry contained Cauliflower, Potatoes and Peas, and maybe more lost in the Mush that was the Thick Masala. Such was the dominance of the Lamb Curry, this could not compete. The purpose for Hector in ordering the Interesting Vegetable is to provide a differing Texture. This was achieved. On the day when we are told Five a Day is not enough, Hector may well hit the new target of Seven Fruit and Veg a Day.
On my 
The Brightness of the venue still puzzled Hector who can remember his previous visits here. Another bottle of wine… drifted through the memory banks. I was not The Lone Diner, a couple were well ensconced in the Buffet when I entered the premises.
Standout Breads in the recent past have included the Masala Twist, both 
The Sparkling Water was provided, though I note I did not see it on the Menu last visit. The Trusty Samsung is becoming a Nuisance. Do these devices have inbuilt obsolescence?
Update August 2015
The Giant’s Causeway has to be mentioned, Hector’s First Venture this far North. Vodafone became the enemy by telling me I was abroad and charging me thus.
We climbed the stairs at the appointed time and were shown to a table which was remote from the remainder of the room. As my eyes became accustomed to the semi-darkness, I could see a large Bar in the distance and the source of the Live Music, a Doris, in the distance still. These premises are indeed large. As the Nu Delhi calls itself a Lounge as well as a Restaurant, I was left to speculate how many folk would come here to Drink and Relax rather than Dine. We were here To Dine.
Kim on Hector’s left, and a Veteran of these Trips chose Chicken Patia with a Plain Naan. Beyond this life was becoming complicated. Sharing a Curry? Lucy1, sitting diagonally opposite Kim would be sharing her Meal. Rebecca and Kirsty, Two more Veterans, were to share a Butter Chicken and Peshwari Naan.
There was a consensus that the Breads provided were Small compared to Glasgow. Average – was about the best comment, I didn’t record anyone enthuse about their Naan. Nor would Hector.
The Lamb Desi Karahi was topped with Two Slices of Red Capsicum. I suspect this was to identify it. The Onion content was such that the Lamb was masked. The Curry was at least far removed from the Soup served to everyone else. Initially I thought the Portion Size to be ridiculously Small, but in the end – Modest – feels fair. There was not a lot of Meat in this Curry for the price charged. What Lamb there was gave pleasure, more when a couple of pieces were located at the base of the Dish. Flavours were at a premium. This was not a Complicated Curry, there was a source of the Kick. Initially I suspected Black Pepper, but then I deduced something Redder.
Normally The Bill appears at this location, however, the Night was still young. Our Friendly Manager returned to chat up the Ladies. A Magic Trick was conducted featuring the assistance of Hector and Marg. It was evident that we were under no pressure to leave despite occupying significant space.
Archana (53 Dublin Rd, Belfast, County Antrim, BT2 7HE, United Kingdom) ranks highly in many other Curry Information Sources. Their own website states that Archana was voted Best in Belfast 2013. By whom? Who wins Awards? I went in last night to try and book a Table for Thirteen for this evening, no chance. The Premises only sat about Twenty Plus, but I did not know then that there’s an upstairs seating the same again.
Our Table for Two was allocated mid-room. Mein Host brought the Menu and took the order for the Large Bottle of Sparkling Water. Marg spotted Latte on the Menu but was informed this was not possible, a broken machine. Hot Milk on the side with a standard Coffee was available.
The Paratha was Thin, so Thin I wondered as to the extent of the Potato Filling. This, if any, was Minimal. I was on my Final Quarter when I realised I still had substantial Curry to eat, so the Portion Size was indeed Decent. The Paratha disappointed. The Karahi was Fine.
Dessert
The Calling Card was offered and the Website explained. Mein Host was clearly interested in where we had come from, my motivation for all he had witnessed. A very pleasant chat then followed. As The Readers know, Hector enjoys talking – Curry. The Regional Styles were discussed. Mein Host even mentioned the varying Salt Content of Curry by Geography.
Last month Ashgar, Mein Host at 
Cobra felt fitting this evening. Given that we were on a promised £15.00 per head flat rate for the food (as is available a la carte every Wednesday and Thursday) at least there would be a profit on the Bier. For a brief moment Alan convinced me he had sampled Cobra, then it was normality resumed, Cider at $??.?? per pint.
A plate piled high with Poppadoms was brought along with the Dips – Spiced Onion, Lime Pickle and Mango Chutney Sauce. No sooner had these arrived when Dr Stan appeared at the top of the stairs.
As much as Alan would enjoy what followed, he later remarked that this was the Stand-out part of the Fayre for him. I don’t even like Raita. The Cucumber puts him off, yet the combination of Shami Kebab and Raita worked. Alan will be imbibing in Hop and Yeast laden Drinks one day soon…
The Mince Rice was the first Platter to arrive. A Mountain of Rice which was laden with Keema and Flavoured with Various Spices and Cloves much to the fore. This would have satisfied some, but the Real Business was imminent.
Ashgar had mentioned Kofta when the evening was conceived. Kofta Karahi was next out. The Lamb Mince Balls were perfect, the Masala a bit on the Thin and Oily side for me. This was definitely well received overall, and all the Koftas vanished. Dr. Stan on my left, had found that his slightly peripheral seat now had its advantages, everything stopped at him.
Steve spotted that this too was on-the-bone. The Masala was similar to the Chicken Karahi, as One would expect, but now We had Lamb! There was no way the contents of this Bowl would survive very long. This was as Flavoursome a Curry as One would hope to be served anywhere.
The Verdict
y in the Mix. Although not a fan of Chicken Curry, the Chicken Karahi was Excellent. Combined with a Superb Starter and the Wonderfully Attentive Service, it was a Wonderful Curry Experience.
I asked Ashgar if he knew that the Teak and Ash, a derelict Helensburgh Pub, has just been granted Planning Permission, well the Applicants have, to be converted to Helensburgh’s #4 Indian Restaurant. Does this town possess the Threshold Population to support another Curry Outlet? The expansion at Faslane may well make this viable. Or perhaps not.
If I don’t have a 
Poppadoms, Spiced Onions and Dips were brought along with Four Cans of Rubicon Mango. Not a word had been said, this is the Customary Level of Service at Yadgar. These Spiced Onions are Woe… Eye Watering – said Tracey. A Salad had appeared, the Munching continued. Again with no Ceremony, a Plate of Fish Pakora was laid before us. Jonathan remarked that the Distinctive Yadgar Fish Starter Taste was evident here. We were in danger of being stuffed before The Main Event.
The Main Karahi went around the Table once more, and still there was plenty. I tried to order a second Stomach, but apparently they needed more notice to comply with this request.
The past eight days have been frustrating. Off work, at work then off again, a situation it has taken Thirty Three Years to finally consider; a record gone.
I took my Usual Spot having liberated a Can of Orange Lucozade from the Fridge. I’m definitely milking this. A Glass was provided and The Modest Salad. Without the Raita I tend to ignore it.
There must be a reason. Today Hector was under the knife at the Western Infirmary. I managed to be discharged before dinner was served. I have plans for this evening – I told the Nurse. Lunch was Microfish and Chips. Not a Hector portion. Some of the afternoon was spent sussing out the view from a different Room 23. The plan was a Takeaway from the Asian Tandoori (3A Duntreath Ave. Glasgow, G13 4JG) , a Takeaway which appeared last year.
Marg had her Pakora Fresh, mine had a 2.5 minute Microwave Blast some three hours later, not ideal. However, this is about all Pakora can take. Stodgy – was our common comment for both the Fresh and reheated. Too much Gram Flour, not enough Vegetables. You cannot beat the