Spicy Corner (4 Valley Road, Bradford, BD1 4RU) has been open for over a year. It is located beside the Bradford Travelodge at Forster Square and is opposite the Station Car Park. Very easy to find, and in a stand-alone building on a roundabout. The reason that it has taken Hector this long to visit was down to it not being open early or late enough. The former appears to have been addressed. My taxi driver on Friday afternoon assured me that it is one of his favourite Bradford Curry Houses – They have the Best Keema Mutter. Jonathan has been informed.
Being a Sunday I was not sure how early it would open, at 11.45 I was not expecting much. I was faced with an hour to kill at Shipley, maybe a Curry there? Go early and see what I can find? That Spicy Corner was opened before the scheduled daily noon opening time proved to be fruitful.
Not surprisingly, Hector was the first customer of the day. Two other Chaps arrived at 12.05.
Mein Host was perhaps surprised to see a customer this early. I took a table at the very rear, space to park the luggage. The oflded A4 menu was brought. It had the usual Mainstream Dishes plus at least five Curry Dishes fit for a Hector, including two Fish Dishes. Strangely, I did not see any Keema mentioned.
Lamb Karahi was there, the ingredients listed, no problem. At the top of the page, similar ingredients were under the banner – Taka Tak. I would enquire.
I was told the difference was in the Masala. When was the first time a waiter told me that? Exactly what this difference would be was not forthcoming.
I’ll try the Taka Tak. Mein Host assumed Chicken, why?
Chapattis please. I noted that the Menu said Roti only.
There was time to take in the surroundings. Paintings occupied the interior wall which faced me. Most of Spicy Corner is window. This makes for a bright and spacious ambience. With benches built along the walls, the chairs included must accommodate around fifty folk in reasonable space and comfort.
As I had not seen Mein Host for some time, I concluded he may also be the Chef. However when the two chaps entered, they were greeted by another Chap dressed in Chef’s gear. Hold on, here comes my Taka Tak. Mein Host was also now dressed in a long apron, he presented my Taka Tak and Chapattis. No cutlery, the traditional Bradford way.
Hector is used to eating Chapattis but requires a spoon/fork to push on the Curry. Using Chapatti as a shovel I could manage, just.
Taka Tak
The Taka Tak was served on a flat Metal dish. The portion size was the largest I have seen for some time. Huge! The Lamb was cut Kashmir Restaurant (Bradford) Small. The Masala was in the Bradford-style, Thick and just sufficient. Tomatoes were visible, the Masala looked pulped to perfection
We had agreed on Spicy. The Spice kick and the perfect Seasoning hit first! Then a Sweetness became apparent. This was way Sweeter than most Curry styles, but in no way approaching Tikka Masala Sweet. The Lamb was certainly more chewy than I would prefer, but not enough to hinder enjoyment. A Curry for Sunday Breakfast, this was most enjoyable.
At the Halfway Mark I realised I would end up with no Chapatti and a Quarter Curry left. I needed cutlery. Mein Host brought a spoon and a fork. The Taka Tak was now completed with greater ease. I would have this Dish again, but the Karahi now calls, and the Fish.
The Bill
£8.30. The Chapattis were 40p each. A lot of Curry for this price.
The Aftermath
The Chef and Mein Host were at the till. Chef took the cash, Mein Host watched on. I asked about Keema Mutter and told them it had been recommended but I did not see it on the menu. I can do it.
I gave the Calling Card and showed the Curry-Heute website. When I reached Hungary in my list of counties visited this caused Mein Host to pay particular attention. Maybe he thought I had some to do with a House?
Hector remains an independent reviewer of Curry.
Update – October 2015
This venue has been transformed to MahrAn, which may have been open already and closed, or is yet to open.
Update – February 2025
Kurumilagu – Indian Kitchen has opened, a South Indian restaurant.
After our Tour of Special Places in Leeds, Dewsbury and Huddersfield, Jonathan and Hector met up with Ricky, Our Man in Bradford, at Haigy’s. One Pint was all that was permitted, another Chap called Mick (Half of Yorkshire is called Mick?) dropped us off at the Sir Titus Salt from where we could decant to 
Keema Spinach Bhuna was Ricky’s Masterful Selection. Jonathan was up for this too. Chapattis for Jonathan and Hector, a Plain Naan for Ricky. These are included in the Price of The Main Meal. A Point I have made many times before but shall insist on highlighting.
That this was The Deli and I have walked past The Restaurant at the bottom of Great Horton Rd. next to 
Jonathan and Hector arrived at 
What would normally be written as The Aftermath was actually The Prequel. As I photographed The Salad, Taj said – You are still spying on me!
The Aftermath
Hector has been served some very poor Bread this week, in 
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 
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.