You plan to eat Curry in Italy?
After Five Days in Italia, how much Pasta and Cous Cous does The Reader think The Hector can put away before the OCD kicks? This much!
I deserve a Treat and there’ll be plenty more Pasta consumed on this Trip.
Starting our Summer Vacation in Siracusa, Hector was not optimistic about there being any Curry Source. The Nasir Indian Restaurant near the Train Station was described by some as being their worst ever Curry Experience. Nothing could be as awful as the Indian Garden (Orkney) or Zwarg (Bamberg), surely? If it was I was willing to have a go. Alas, this Venue has gone.
The Curry scene in Catania was reported as equally Spartan in other Media Sources. A Chicken Shop again opposite the Train Station being all that registers elsewhere. Yesterday afternoon, as Marg and Hector were familiarising ourselves with the layout of Catania Marg spotted a shop selling Indian Costume Jewellery. The Shopkeepers must eat somewhere. Ask an Indian. The Chaps were Bangladeshi and came up with Locus which they drew on our map. The Plan was to go exploring tomorrow. No sooner had we left their premises than I spotted Oli Kebab and Indian Food at the corner of Via Paterno which runs parallel to Via Etnea which everyone can find. Oli was not selling Kebabs today. Closed for a Month said a Chap standing outside, however, he pointed further along Via Paterno to No. 19. – Pail Donar Kebab and Indian Food – was once again displayed proudly, in we go.
Mein Host offered us Kebabs, I enquired about Curry. He pointed to an empty display case – We are just open. He said he could do Chicken or Beef. I enquired about Fish. What sort of Fish? He asked The Hector. I put my palms together and did my Fish Impersonation. Everyone knows that Nobody in the Indian Subcontinent knows the names of the Fish they serve. Machi Masala – was my constructive statement. It was agreed that I would return today and eat Fish Curry. Later yesterday, we came across Two More Venues selling – Indian Food.
Shortly after 14.00 we entered Pail Donar Kebab (Via Paterno, 19, Catania, Sicilia). The single table makes the Desi – Curry Palace (Glasgow) appear Cavernous.
The Young Lady behind the Counter offered me Kebab. Mein Host was through the back, now how Big was that? I spotted an array of Curry Dishes in the aforementioned Display Cabinet adjacent to the table. The table was occupied by a Seven Year old on a laptop, clearly not a paying customer. She was quickly moved behind the Counter.
Mein Host appeared and took me through his Dishes. Lamb Curry – Stop! And Mutter Rice please, a Good Sized Portion of this was also on display. A Fan was blasting away beside the table. Was there room for Two to Sit?
Marg took a Soft Drink from the Fridge which was adjacent to the Display Cabinet and sat in the Micro-space created between the Wall, the Fan and the Table. A Plastic Cup was provided and went flying. A Two Year old kept Marg amused whilst we waited, only Hector was Dining.
A Soft Drink for Hector
I too helped myself to a can of Lemonade, the Plastic Cup was presented and it too went flying. Guess what? Marg turned off the Fan!
A Curry for Hector
A Plate of Salad, a Plate of Rice & Peas, and a Plate of Lamb Shorva on-the-bone was set before me. My First ever Italian Curry.
I was pleased to discover the Bone, I was even more pleased to find only One Piece of Bone. The Best of Both worlds. The Lamb was suitably Tender, not the Best Lamb I have ever encountered. Kleftico aside, Lamb can be Dubious around the Mediterranean and the Hector has suffered over the years as a result. Never have Mediterranean Lamb the day before a Flight.
This Curry was what Waris would have described as – White. There was no sign of Red Chillies, or any other Chillies for that matter, having been used. This was a simple Black and presumably White Pepper affair. There was a Decent Kick and a Surprising amount of Flavour. The Thin Masala disappeared into the Rice. A Couple of Pieces of Onion were found amongst the Rice, so this was used in the Curry preparation at some point. The Rice Portion was so Large I was eeking out the Meat. The Salad was initially Mere Distraction, however, I realised it was giving a Mediterranean Feel to the whole Experience. I ate on.
The Ritual Photos were disrupted. The Rest of Italy decided to have a Kebab. The Fridge, the Display Cabinet, the Table, the Fan, The Hector and Marg were joined by four Hungry Italians. OK, you can see where this is going…
For years I have been amused that when I visit my Favourite Glasgow Curry Cafés, the Local Asian Population tends to come in and order – Pizza! Here was the Yang to that Ying. The Italians go to a Source of Indian Food and order Kebabs. What’s wrong? Are they tired of eating Pasta and Cous Cous?
The Young Lady, evidently the Mother of the Weans somehow squeezed herself on the floor to join the Melee. I showed her the Curry-Heute on the Trusty Samsung, only £2.00 a day extra with Vodafone to use as normal Abroad. I think she got the hang of it. Her Husband? appeared briefly and had a look too. I established that they all hailed from Bangladesh. They had heard of Scotland and were interested in what was our First Language.
Another order for Kebab, this time a Fellow Diner. We were finally Three. Cosy.
The Bill
€18.00. Two Soft Drinks included.
The Aftermath
Mein Host was now well engaged. If you come back I will have Fish Curry for you.
With only One more Full Day in Catania, this may have put the Kybosh on any Plans Marg may have had to eat Italian.
It was agreed that I would return tomorrow and eat Fish Curry.
The Waiter who brought said Lamb Chops on the last visit served me again this evening. Two Portions, Cash up front, £16.90. I kid you not. Two Portions, Six Chops in each. Where did the reported – 
Three Dips were provided, perhaps it was Sacrilege to consider these? Nevertheless, it was better to try everything. To say the Chops were Spicy… Tasty… Tender… Truly Amazing – would be an understatement. Marg loved them. Hector was finishing his Share and Clive was still sucking the bone on his first. I refrained from taking a photo of Maggie with a face-full of Chop. Most undignified: 
When Mein Host came to remove The Debris I had to ask:
£31.50. Now what did we have for this?
A Thinner Onion-based Masala than I normally seek, One could immediately tell this was not Simply Soup. The Aloo Gobi was totally dry up top with a Mash at the base. The Aloo Paratha arrived quartered – No! It also looked a bit soft, no sign of the desired flakiness. The Paratha was a disappointment.
The Vegetables tempted me First. Oh yes! Spice and Seasoning, Exquisite! As discussed with the Chef last month, he knows the importance of Salt in Curry. I could see This and Two Portions of Lamb Chops making a Perfect Meal.
I entered the Dakhin (89 Candleriggs, Merchant City, Glasgow, G1 1NP) yesterday just after 14.00 to find them closing for an afternoon break. Today I arrived at 13.40 but believe they were open all day Saturday. The same Waiter who declined service was there to greet me, I recognised him…
Veinchina Mamsam – Boneless cubes of lamb cooked with caramelised onions, ginger, crushed black pepper and flavoured with star anise – was the stand out Dish – without Coconut. (£13.50) Nimmakai Annam – Rice cooked with lemon juice and turmeric, tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves and lentils – would accompany. (£3.50)
The Middle Dip was a Dark Colour, what was this? It took me aback initially then the Palate adjusted. A Vinegar Base? Then it dawned on me – Tamarind! I add this to most Curry Dishes at time of cooking, I’ve never had it this way. The Young Waiter who brought the Main Course confirmed – Tamarind. Tasty!
The Lamb was plentiful, I stopped counting when I reached Twelve; the pieces were substantial. The £13.50 now felt justified. I do not mind paying for a Good-sized Portion, and this most certainly was. The Lamb oozed Quality. How Chefs get the Lamb this Tender without it turning to Mush escapes this Commentator. 
Day 2 of the
Ayaz was there to greet us on entry. There was no sign of Rasheed, the Favoured Chef, his Stand-in has certainly been trained in all that is Wonderful about the 
How Hot can a Curry be? I hate when the Dish has clearly sat for ages before a waiter thinks about bringing it to t’table. This Curry has been described often, no New Words from this Commentator, Perfection. What I realise as a Man into Numbers with Capital Letters, this visit to the 
Ayaz and Hector exchanged Words of Appreciation. Ayaz told me that a Family/Group of Asians (I believe) had come to the Karahi Palace having read Curry-Heute. If this is not correct, then please advise. Why all of Glasgow is not Dining here puzzles us both.
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 
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.
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?
Your Menu states that Lamb Desi is on-the-bone.
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.