Curry-Heute is Four Years Old – Heute!
Driving anti-clockwise around Scotland has always been on Hector’s List of Things To Do. This Easter Vacation sees this realised. The drive from Aberdeen was not exactly easy, that was an A Road, a Main Route? How many Tractors?
Culloden and Fort George were the local attractions, Curry-Heute separated these two.
There was quite a choice of Venues, Rajah (2 Post Office Ave, Inverness IV1 1DN) the Longest Established Inverness Curry House seemed like an obvious place to start.
Who knows if there will ever be another Inverness Curry-Heute?
Rajah, a Basement Restaurant, is open all day. This was also crucial in the selection process. On entering Marg and Hector were greeted by a Waiter resplendent in Traditional Steward’s Jacket. We were shown to a table, another Couple were just finishing their Curry. One would expect Tuesday Lunchtimes to be quiet.
We were given the A la Carte Menu and the Lunchtime Special. The latter offered Starter, Main Course and choice of Rice/Naan/Chapattis for £7.95. Tempting, but typically Portions are Smaller in My Experience, and the Range of Curry on offer rarely suits, however, there was a Beef Bhuna.
The Menu covered the usual Dishes, but in Beef only. The Chef’s Specials had Lamb Tikka, no sign of Tender Lamb. As ever, I would take advice.
Two Soft Drinks were ordered and the Big Questions asked. The only Lamb available was confirmed as Lamb Tikka, so no thanks. The Lunch Menu it was then. Onion Bhaji, Beef Bhuna and a Garlic Naan. From The Main Menu Marg chose a Prawn Puri.
Two Good Sized Onion Bhajis started off the Meal. These were Very Fresh and Crispy. Marg helped herself – I enjoyed it too.
The Prawn Puri had a Kick, however Marg was less impressed by the Bread – … not as airy as others. The Sauce was Spicy, , it wasn’t anything stunning.
The Beef Bhuna impressed immediately. The Portion was appreciably more than many Venues serve in a Lunchtime Menu. The Masala was Thick, as Mainstream Curry goes this was up to scratch. The Beef varied from Tender to Chewy . The Biggest Blast of Flavour came from the Garlic Naan. The Burnt Extremities added a new dimension to the Overall Experience, a great combination. A Perfect Size for One, the Naan was memorable.
Great Value, a Competent Curry, better than expected.
The Bill
£16.35. £3.90 was for the Two Soft drinks. Well, they have to make their Money somehow.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was offered. It was greeted with – OK.
The Day After – Drumnadrochit no more…
Since I spotted the existence of Natural Spice I was intrigued. Stopping off halfway down Loch Ness to do – the Tourist Thing, Curry for Lunch was the plan.
Alas, the Natural Spice is no more. A Takeaway is all that remains and no sign of Curry. The offer of Pizza was declined.
A 1960s Pub, The Parkway Inn appeared to be the building for which there was a car park. Again, I spotted the Logo on a window in a newer adjacent building. A Curry House!
Poppadoms only was what Marg had in mind. That would change. Meanwhile, these and the Dips were provided.
The Vegetable Rice was a Joy. Containing Diced Carrots, Peas, Onion, Spring Onion, Green Chillies and Green Beans there was a Variety of Textures, whilst the Rice itself soaked up the Soupy Masala. The Varying Textures went some way towards providing the Gritty Texture that the famous 
The Week of Curry Excess continues. Hector and Marg find themselves in Aberdeen, aka The Ale Desert. Curry is my only pleasure. This evening we collected Sandy and Dr. Tracey from their their Ever-expanding Palace and headed off once more into the Aberdeenshire Hinterland. Kenny, taking time off from a busy schedule of TV News Interviews and his Dear Lady – Miss X – who does not tolerate Social Media, would complete – The Echt Six.
ke to Hector. A Thick Masala Promised, Madras level Kick Anticipated, Dry to be Negotiated. I did remember the Side, Aloo Gobi. It had held its own against the Main Course Lamb Dish, more of this please.
Knowing there would be a wait, Two Portions of Vegetable Pakora were ordered for Our Collective Amusement. These came with due dispatch. Two Portions, Four Pakora in each. We were Six. Surely Someone could have seen sense here? Fortunately the Vegetable Pakora will be remembered for all of the right reasons. They were Fresh, as good as I make myself. (Note to Self- Publish My Recipe) The Gram Flour based Batter was not Thick to Stodgy as served in so many places. The Fresh Coriander was abundant. These are lovely – Marg declared immediately. She would later go on to declare that this was The Best Pakora, Ever. 
Marg and Kenny faced defeat with the Second Jaflongi Satkora. I was so sated there was no sampling. Very Tasty – said Marg, and not for The First Time. I must stop saying that. Tangy, better than the Dish on my last visit. Divine – said Kenny. Mild, Full of Flavour, when it arrived.
The Card presented to appraise the evening was dismissed and The Calling Card given instead. I watched this passed from Waiter to Waiter up the chain (of Command?). Moments later I was aware of a Differently Attired Chap standing beside me – Mein Host. We discussed the evening. I congratulated him on the Unique Flavours served at the Echt Tandoori. I had to mention that my Lamb Dish was not served as Warm as I would hope. He explained that they try to avoid this by staggering the bookings, hence our 20.30 I de
duced.
Arriving back at Glasgow Queen St., there was only One Thing in Hector’s mind – Dinner. This week that is Curry. Two stops on the Subway to Bridge St. and One finds Oneself a Block away from 
The Lamb Karahi served in these premises is simply beyond belief. The Ten Minutes or so wait was spent trying ot remember which ELP track had been hijacked by the Asian News programme on the TV. Karn Evil 9? The Customary Modest Salad was provided to Nibble on during the wait. Despite the Raita not being forthcoming, for once I did nibble.
The Mince had evidently cooled, Hector likes his food Piping Hot. This was still an impressive Keema, I shall certainly be back for more of this. Breakfast? The Pau Bhaji packed a Kick and was a Pleasant Balance to the Mince. The Chapatti had clearly been prior-cooked, it was Thin and Crispy. This in not how I like my Chapattis, and so the Rice Option next time.
Having introduced myself earlier, I felt able to take the number of Photos published.
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.
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 
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.
