So, Hector why did you come to Bradford this weekend?
I came for the Beer Festival.
But it’s next weekend.
I was misinformed.
A late night arrival from Athens followed by an early rise. Hector finds himself in Bradford mid-afternoon, impossible in a working week. Ricky, Our Man in Bradford, is abroad. Jonathan is on his way. There was time to fit in the First Curry of The Weekend. Well, who needs a Beer Festival?
Punjab Sweet House – Grill Centre (122-126 Listerhills Road, Bradford, BD7 1JR) has impressed on previous visits. On December 30th last, Marg and Craig shared a Fish Karahi, The Waiter having mucked up the order. Even after the Lamb Karahi, this stood out. I was determined that my first Curry of this visit would be the Fish Karahi at this Venue.
Arriving by Taxi, it is raining in England, and has been all week I hear (endlessly), I can walk back to Town, easier to be brought. The Front of House Tables were occupied, I took the Rear Corner. In the Adjacent Corner was another Couple. A Dozen Diners this early, impressive.
There was a Solitary Waiter who took a bit longer than anticipated to approach me. The Menu was not required. Fish Karahi and an Aloo Paratha.
More arrived, I was a bit miffed when the Newcomers had their Fish Starters before I had mine, surely a Straightforward Order? The Waiter appeared to bringing things out in Batches on a Tray. And so it was that My Karahi and Paratha arrived via a Drop-off at another Table.
Aloo Paratha
Hector has been served some very poor Bread this week, in Greece. The Mind’s Eye had a Flaky, Fresh, Piping Hot Paratha. What was delivered was yet another Bread Disappointment. The Paratha was Warm, usually they are Too Hot to Handle on presentation. As a result the Bread became very Limp very quickly. Grease emerged, the Potato content was less than hoped for. Hector was not impressed. Just how long had this Paratha been sat waiting for the Karahi?
Bradford Curry – Karahi Fish
The Karahi Portion was Substantial. Portions here tend to be so. The Dish was Steaming Hot which enhances the Verdict on the Paratha. With less Oil than I have seen in any Curry served on these premises, this was Bradford Dry. The Fish was Flaked as expected. The Distinctive Bradford Flavour was there – just. In no way was this as Attention-Grabbing as the December Version. Pot Luck of which Chef on duty perhaps. Still, Spicy, Dry, Bradford, it ticked many boxes. It did not have the – Wow – that I have already experienced Twice this week in Athens of all places.
Athens outdoes Bradford impossible? Perhaps not.
Three Visits, perhaps it is time to explore New Bradford Venues…
The Bill
£9.80. Bradford Price.
The Aftermath
This should go down in the History of Curry-Heute as the most up-to-date Curry Report ever written. I decanted around the corner to The Fighting Cock. With a below average Sheffield Ale for Sustenance, the employment of both Trusty Samsung Devices have enabled T’Internet and this very write-up.
Actually, the last rain Marg and Hector endured was as we boarded the easyJet flight to 
As we completed our circuit of The Acropolis, we found ourselves in Plaka, the restaurant area on the northern, steep side, of the asymmetrical mount where we enjoyed traditional Greek Food some years back. Marg reckoned Geros Tou Moria was the very taverna visited previously and so we took a roof table opposite the restaurant proper. It was mid-afternoon, too early to eat, again. The Menu said Stifado. The waiter wanted to bring two portions immediately, we said we would be back. Just after 21.00 last evening we returned.
In keeping with The Cunning Plan, Hector was having Curry for lunch. Kohenoor Indian Restaurant (Triptolemou 41, Gazi/Keramikos, 11854, Athens, Greece) is a stretch beyond our usual bit of 
Meanwhile Marg also cleared her plate. The Chapatti was smaller and thinner than those served in the better Glasgow and Bradford Curry houses. It did look like a Chapatti. Chapattis have not necessarily been on the Menu this week. Creamy and Tomatoey, without a Kick – was Marg’s Verdict on the Chicken Butter Masala. Pleasant!
I took two Menus, large A3 cards with three columns. Chicken was clearly listed. Was that it? There was no way The Hector was having Chicken Curry. A Mix Vegetable Curry it would have to be. I would check. Keema Nan? This suggested Lamb on the premises. Marg fancied no more than a Snack, she had been down for breakfast. The Indian Souvlaki sounded like a suitable merging of genres.
There was a sign that the Naan was puffy, not by a huge amount, but it had a bit of puffiness. With Garlic embedded the major point of interest was the interior. If Keema served in Bread in Glasgow ends up looking like Donner Meat, then this is what was expected in Greece. There was no Donner in Mirch Masala. This Naan had discrete Minced Lamb. This was better than anticipated. Not the best Naan by any means, but the best Bread served in an Athens Curry House this week.
Hector has been here. He ate a Vegetable Curry and enjoyed it. The Naan was also not a disappointment.
Kebab?
We entered around 15.00, two other tables were occupied. The Kitchen is at the front of the restaurant behind a glass screen. Two Chefs were on duty. A young waitress permitted us to sit anywhere. Hector chose a table for two towards the rear, just in case we became in smoking range of any future diners. Yes, the Smoking Ban of 2010 is ignored by all who choose to do so. Research says 40% of adult Greeks smoke. They don’t give a ….
Nondescript? Well my task unfortunately is to describe it. The Paratha was Thin, far too Thin. Small, far too small. Flaky? – Not a Single Flake. It was neither Roti or Paratha.
The 
It was as much Pitta as Naan. A Tawa Production, no sign of a Tandoor here. Bone Dry, no Garlic Butter here. Instead Garlic Cloves had been Sliced and Embedded. This packed a Punch Taste-wise. Still, too Peely Wally. Rice is the Better Option at this Venue.
Thereafter we wandered beyond Omonia in search of a Potential Fun Indian Venue. If Barba George’s Indian still exists, then this is the location. This has to be an Evening Visit.
As we headed to Bierhof this evening we passed close by. Barba George’s Indian is either closed over the winter, or it has gone. A pity.
There was so much Curry, and I had made a Baby Curry too. The only difference was not sprinkling fresh Green Chillies on top of the Mashed Potato. Yes, the Potatoes were mashed, they were cooked, no repeat of the Great Potato Disaster.
Craig ate his Baby Curry and went back for more. I think Robin helped him. Jonathan was in the kitchen watching Men run around with a strange shaped ball. He was encouraged to keep eating. I guess he did, eventually what was served was done. There was still the reserve for the Takeaways.
ent. Substantial but Oily was my first take. The Chef appeared from the kitchen. They watched me take the ritual photos. Simple cooking – is how The Chef described their Style. Different from the other places around here – was also his claim.
There was No Friday Night Curry-Heute, Hector does eat Other Food. The Ritual Saturday afternoon Glasgow Curry had to be at the 
My Fellow Diner comes to the 
On the walk in the rain up Pollokshaws Rd, I reached the Afghan Village, open everyday from Noon till late, this will have to be investigated.
The Naan was – Dripping Wet – with presumably Garlic Butter. The fresh Coriander had been liberally spread also. Naan Bread can be served too Thick which makes then akin to Pizza, hence why I rarely order them. This was nearer Thin and Crispy, ironically, the style of Pizza I never order. This Naan was truly superb. Easily the best Naan I have been served in ages. It was so good, and disappearing so rapidly, we called over the young Waiter and ordered another. Having slowed down a bit, this came at exactly the right moment. A – Hot Fresh – and slightly larger version!
