It is the Bank Holiday Monday which Hector actually gets. The alarm was set for 04.50, time to reach Gatwick for the 07.00 flight to Glasgow. It would be a long day. What better way to celebrate a Statutory Holiday than visit Curry-Heute’s Top Ranked Glasgow Curry House?
En route to Yadgar (148 Calder St., Govanhill, Glasgow, G42 7QP) I popped in to the Desi Curry Palace (144 Allison St, Glasgow, G42 8RP) to check on the progress of their new Micro-Seating Area. I was in the process of explaining to The Chap behind the Counter what my business here was when a familiar face emerged from the Kitchen – Waris, from Lasani Grill along the road. Interesting.
He said – It’s a long story – and that he has moved on. Now Hector has a dilemma. On June 7 there is a plan for a mass visit to Lasani Grill to enjoy once again the White Karahi. It is Waris’ creation, what to do? Follow The Chef!
And so Tracey when you read this, fear not. We shall have the White Karahi at the appointed time, but in a New Venue for us. Next problem. How do we fit in? With Four High Chairs along the Bench taking up most of the Micro-Seating Area, and a Table for Four which would never seat The Company there will have to be further consultation. Hopefully the Photos should illustrate the layout.
The Curry on display also looked Good. The Prices are Very Favourable.
And so to Yadgar
Normally I contact Shkoor, Mein Host, in advance to ensure the Wonderful Goshat Karahi is awaiting. When Dining Alone, I have tended of late to turn up and see what is on offer. The Daily Specials do rotate.
Naveed was outside at a vehicle collecting Pizza Boxes. The Locals love Yadgar Pizza. The New Young Waiter and The Chef whose name I don’t have were outside also. A welcoming committee?
Shkoor and his Father, Mr Anwar were behind the Counter. A Holiday Monday and Everyone at work, Perfect!
The New Signage is due to be installed soon, the Venue remains nameless at present. I enquired about the BBC, they never showed. Not to worry, I had a Bonus Yadgar Visit. There was no mention of the planned interior renovations. At least the premises are no longer shrouded in scaffolding.
I glanced at the Dishes on display. No Vegetable Curry which is always Astonishingly Wonderful. I advised Shkoor of my plan to have a Starter whilst a Lamb Dish was prepared. There was Lamb on-the-bone on display. I assumed this would be Tweaked to suit The Hector Palate.
Shkoor suggested I have Keema to start. With Peas and Potatoes? We agreed on Keema Mutter, not a Heavy Duty Meal to start. A Chapatti with the Keema, a Chapatti with the Main Course.
Dry? As Dry as Chef can make it.
You’re a man after my own heart.
It was 15.35 when I took my Usual Spot at the Rear-Left. I heard Shkoor instruct the New Chap to send Mango Rubicon, Poppadoms, and Spiced Onion to the Gentleman sitting on his own. That would be me then. Salad came too. Three other Groups were Dining.
The Complimentary Bits were a suitable pastime until a Massive Plate of Keema Mutter was presented. Dry? There was absolutely no sign of Oil, None! I didn’t detect Methi either, however, the Palate has perhaps overdosed on this in the last Two Days. This was Keema with a Kick! Chopped Fresh Green Chillies, the Fat Ones, were throughout. This was a Starter? I’ve seen smaller Main Courses.
It was agreed there would be a Timeout to let the Keema settle. The Lamb Main Course was brought at 16.45. Now what was it?
The Lamb was on-the-bone. The Bones were actually a welcomed sight, it meant the Dish was not as Voluminous as it first appeared. The Thick and Minimal Masala was not giving up the Yadgar Taste. Even when the Fresh Chapatti was dipped in the Oil it was giving little away.
Now the Meat has intrigued me. More Chewy than any Lamb Dish ever presented to Hector, I did not recognise the usual Lamb Cuts. The Flatness made me recall – Skirting – as sold by the Family Butcher back in the 1960s. Mutton, most likely, but then Goat came to mind. I have texted Shkoor for confirmation… Once again there was a Sizeable Kick, more Fat Green Chillies. Never a problem for The Hector.
At the base of the plate was an Oily, Fibrous residue of the Masala. Here lay the Classic Yadgar Taste.
The New Chap asked if he could get me anything else. Naveed asked the same moments later. The Chef, Mr. Arshad came out to take his bow. I knew it was for you and so I made it Good.
Service!
The Bill
£12.00. With Main Dishes at £5.50, or less, and Chapattis at a nominal 40p, this is the Going Rate.
The Aftermath
I pointed at the Meat Dish on display. Naveed said it was Tinda (turnip) Gosht. That is not what Hector had.
There was the realisation that one could eat Curry at a different venue everyday of the week within metres of Allison St./Victoria Rd. The New Anand has never even been mentioned on these pages. Hector used to be there every other week back in the day.
There is a cluster of Quality Curry Outlets, some even have Table Cloths.
Today, it is exactly Twenty Years since I first set foot in Brighton. The Sunday in the end of May Bank Holiday. Then I had driven down from Glasgow, a Different World, a Very Different Life. I knew Marg back then but not Clive. Clive didn’t know Maggie, but she may have known him…
The Menu had potentially New and Interesting Lamb Dishes. Laal Maans and Sikendari Raan were well described. I would take advice. Meanwhile Maggie was up for Lamb Shathkara further down this section. Hopefully the photo is legible, else the Bombay website has these listed. Marg announced Fish Karahi from nowhere, I hadn’t even considered Fish Today. Clive was all over The Menu looking for Chicken Dansak, I’m sure he orders this to wind me up. Each to his own, but Lord Clive of India is usually more adventurous.
Marg was quite taken with her Karahi at First. The Fish was lovely but the Masala was spoiled by the Big Vegetables. I didn’t have a sample but could see the Pile of Debris accumulating. Big, Seriously Big pieces of Green Capsicum and Onion. This keeps happening to Marg. When I ask for the Capsicum to be withheld, Marg concurs, else she forgets. This was Ballast. Marg continued – It was Good, but not much of it.
Twenty Two Hours later than planned and with Jim replacing Marg and Maggie, Clive took Hector as promised to 
Note the Renee Mackintosh Font on The Menu, on this of all days when the Glasgow School of Art is ablaze…
£6.95 for a Starter and a Main Course, as yet portion size unknown. We all know that some venues skimp and offer frustration rather than Curry. The Fish Pakora was an extra £1.00. Hector could not resist. Karahi Bhuna? Yes please.
The Fish Pakora arrived within a time that made me believe Curry in the Lunch-hour might be a regular occurrence. Six large pieces in a Spicy Batter and a Tangy Sauce to accompany. Very good indeed. When one considers the ridiculous price venues charge for three or four pieces of Vegetable Pakora, I felt I was quids in already. A modest Curry portion and Naan was now anticipated. Some ladies were brought Prawn Cocktail. This looked – Wow! Was it worth ordering two Lunchtime Deals?
Coming soon
Edible, Tangy, almost Pleasant. I think I’m overdue cooking a – Replica – Dry Lamb Achari featuring Karela, of course.
Ayaz and Rasheed greeted us as we took our seats. We could sense that people were upstairs, Ayaz was busy running up and down the stairs. Hector had to go up and investigate. There were in fact Two Groups, one of Chaps, one of Chapattis. The Chaps were nearly finished their Meals as the timely photos show. The Ladies departed later, by which time Mags and Hector were well ensconced in Magnificent Curry.
Ayaz brought the Two Curry Dishes and Chapattis on separate Baskets. Both looked Stupendous. I could see that the Aloo Gosht had a different Masala, Mags was in her element. She loves her Potatoes. It’s all about Spice, it’s Lovely. Leave it out overnight, not in the Fridge. Mags ate just over Half, the rest went Home.
When Ayaz brought a Fresh Chapatti I asked if he could bring me this every three hours. This new Blast of Heat upped the ante. This was truly One of The Greatest Curry Moments, Ever!
There was a quick chat with Shan, the Delivery Driver. He reckons he drives around 35 miles per day. Charing Cross was even mentioned. Competition indeed!
With The Hanging Baskets on display, at the
The Chef’s Specialities include Lamb on-the-bone which as regular readers know has been re-defined as Lamb Gurmeet after The Chef. With the Classic Hector-style Curry featuring Extra Methi and Seasoning, this is it. Jazzi confirmed that Hector’s Favourite Chef north of the River Clyde was on duty. Lamb Gurmeet please.
A Side Vegetable Dish felt correct today. At £5.50 for a Full Portion and £4.50 for a Side, logic suggests that if I was not dining alone, the former would have been ideal to share. An Aloo Gobi Side and Chapattis completed the order.
Chapattis are not listed on The Menu. I usually report on the price of a Chapatti since some venues are out of order. Note to self, study The Bill later on.
Jazzi came up to the raised area, Hector’s Spot, to ask about the meal.
I was introduced to Ed, the Delivery Driver. With the Van parked outside, Ed is set to deliver wherever …
The Bombay Grill (19-21 Glasgow Road, Hardgate, Clydebank, G81 5PJ) has been in its current location since February of this year, same business, same staff.
Entering just on 19.00, Three Tables were occupied. I was shown to a wall Table set for Two adjacent to a couple of Ladies. I had to work hard at not overhearing their conversation. The Décor was much more Twenty First Century than the classic Red Flock Wallpaper of Yesteryear. After it closed this was the set of a short-lived BBC Scotland Sitcom, about a Curry House. People find Curry amusing?
Little Phone Signal, T’Internet kept crashing, and no Wi-Fi. How many Curry Houses have Wi-Fi? There was Traditional Indian Musik being broadcast, at times it was a bit OTT, the Screechy Females. The Ladies went for The Buffet.
Lord Clive of Crawley was keen to join Hector for his #2 Visit to The Bala Sweet & Tandoori Centre (111 Midland Rd., Bedford, MK40 1DA). That it was en route to the Train Station was very convenient. I now realise that on the approaches to the Station, there is a Small Cluster of Café-Style Curry Outlets to rival the more Formal Tavistock Street Restaurants. The Great English Tradition of Sunday Lunch usually involves Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding, a Dish that proved to be available in Venues visited later in St. Albans. When Clive and Hector are out, it’s going to be Curry.
