Afghan Village (607 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, G41 2QG) has been in operation for some eight months Mein Host told me after he informed me about the perils of Pparking on this busy main road. With the long established Shahed’s the other side of the traffic lights, they have serious competition. This venue was the Pakistani Café, twice. With only a few tables this is very much a Takeaway first and place to sit Second. Shahed’s is Takeaway only so the nearest sit-in is on Victoria Rd, but then one is then in Yadgar territory. Whilst they open at noon every day, they do not apparently serve at the tables until 14.00, according to the Menu.
Hector took his seat just before 17.00, I was very much The Lone Diner. The door was wedged open, a cold blast was coming in, just as well I had a fleece.
The Menu was standard in terms of Curry Dishes. I had hoped to find a replacement for The Khyber which is dearly missed. There were three Karahi Dishes on offer. Straightforward Lamb Karahi is £7.00, Desi Karahi Gosht (on-the-bone) is available at £7.95. Mein Host assured me that the half kilo of Namak Mandi Karahi Lamb at £11.99 was the same Curry as the Desi. A half kilo? Perfect. Spicy? Yes. Mein Host promised that no Capsicum would appear in the Karahi. Two Chapattis (50p) would accompany. No Sparkling Water was available, a Sprite had to suffice.
Mein Host took the order then disappeared, the Parking ordeal. I was left listening to an electronic muriel which had a photo of a tropical island and the ambient sound of breaking waves and seagulls. When Mein Host returned I had to ask him to shut the door, Hector was being poisoned by the exhaust fumes from the queuing traffic outside.
I had time to study the Menu. The usual Kebab Fayre was on offer, with Pizza also. The Donner Kebab flames were not lit. Poppadoms were 50p each with Mixed Pickle at £1.00. All the standard Curry Dishes were there, so much for the Afghan influence. Still, there was a sense of anticipation, what would their interpretation of Karahi be?
Mein Host brought a Modest Salad and a Bowl of Raita on a tray. This was immediately followed by the main ev
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.
The food was so Hot I could only dip the sound Chapatti into the Masala at first. No way could I tackle the Lamb. The taste was very familiar. It was exactly how the Masala turns out if one follows the above Recipes and put in all of the Vegetable Oil suggested. Very Pleasant – I thought, though I believe John S. would have had an issue with the Oil content. The Masala was rich in Fresh Tomato, it was a decent consistency and could in no way be described as Dry. The Herb content was significant, sufficient Methi and Coriander. After half a Chapatti I was able to start on the Lamb. There was an array of bones so this came from a variety of cuts. The Lamb was excellent, tender. The half kilo was perfect given the bone content. A portion would probably not have been enough.
I had to ask for napkins, and a fork to eat the Salad. A plastic fork was provided. The metal spoon in the Karahi proved useful for eating the Curry.
I ate, they watched. I suspect Chef was enjoying the meal as much as I was.
The Bill
£14.00. A round sum.
The Aftermath
I gave both Mein Host and Chef the Calling Card. I tried to show them the Curry-Heute Website, however, Strathbungo is notorious for having a poor phone signal. I spotted what I thought was Dried Methi under the Glass Counter. No that’s Oregano for the Pizzas – Mein Host told me. Chef returned with his tray of Dried Methi, it was identical.
Pleasant Chaps. I wish them well. I would not rule out a return visit.
Update
The Afghan Village did not last long. This is now Ranjit’s Kitchen
In 2016, the young chap shown above took over the former Khyber and now has the Khyber Pass Restaurant selling Afghan Cuisine.
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!
The Menu Board listed Fried Fish under Specials at £3.50 and Lamb Chops Tikka at £4.00. Both of these were on display at the Counter. Next time I may try one of these, or both.
The Head Waiter would deal with us. I said we did not require Salad and asked for Tap Water. He informed us that due to Health and Safety they do not serve Tap Water. The Bottle of Still water from the adjacent Table was placed before us. You can have this at No Charge – he offered. As Jonathan would relate later, Hector went into Full Haggling Mode and managed to decline the Offer of Free Water. Do you have sparkling Water? This was provided. I am Happy to pay for this! The Salad came Regardless and as Tired and Weary Travellers, we were Happy to Munch…
The Flat Karahi, maybe 40cm in Diameter, sat Proudly on The Table. A Pair of Rotis came at First, their Partners later. Same Quality of Bread as last Night, no Crisping. Here we go, again. As Dry as Last Night, same Minimal Oil, same Black Pepper Dominance, same Outstanding Pleasures, well almost. On-the-bone tends to have an Edge over Boneless. In terms of the Quality of The Karahi I tried to refrain from – I told You so.
Cheetham Hill is an area of Manchester that meant nothing to Hector until last month. On the 
A Mature gentleman, who was clearly The Head Waiter, came to take the Order. Lamb Karahi, on-the-bone, with Extra Methi and a Bit more Salt, and Dry. Four Roti (£0.70). This was recorded Electronically on a Pad, No Problem.
The Open Kitchen is at The Entrance to the Right. The Huge Hall must sit Hundreds. The Place was Quiet, maybe Twenty-plus Fellow Diners? Dr. Stan and Hector certainly stood out from the rest of the Diners.
I had deliberately not asked for The Bill at The Table as is my Norm when eating at an Establishment such as this for the First Time. The Manager was on The Till. He took The Cash. Whilst I congratulated him on the Outstanding Quality of The Food Served, I could not help but notice the Itemisation. £1.00 for the Salad, £1.50 for the Bottle of Water. Whilst I made it clear we were not unhappy with the Overall Price, I did tell him that this was a Sneaky way of Inflating The Bill.
Charming, or what? There was no way I was letting this Spoil The Event. He also stated that They are always willing to take suggestions on board. I was given a £5.00 Discount Voucher valid Monday to Friday.
On entering Lal Qila (
How can One Piece of folded A3, or was it less, contain so many Hector Compatible Dishes? There were Five that possibly could I have ordered. Lamb Methi, Karahi, but let’s stop at the Fish Karahi. Nowhere did The Menu mention the dreaded Mushy Green Vegetable. How Dry would the Karahi be? Oh, the Lal Qila Grilled Lamb Chops, maybe a Starter?
A Sparkling Water was brought with the Poppadoms, if it wasn’t a Pint it was as near as. There was no information as to the price of Soft Drinks. As a Licensed Venue, the Fellow Diners were swallowing Various Biers. In for a Penny.
Indeed the Chops numbered Four. Presented Sizzling on an Iron Skillet, the Onions were irresistible. Part of The Fun. A Waiter made the Polite Enquiry as I ate. The Exterior of the Chops was up to standard, I felt them a bit Peely Wally inside, maybe more cooking required, a Rush Job?
This is a welcomed declaration. Mother judges every Restaurant by whether it has a policy of Warm Plates. The Curry arrived along with Chapatti Basket. The Lahore Kirahi were suitably Dry. Delicious – was Mother’s Verdict. She ate every Morsel. The Lemon even ended up her Sparkling Water and was consumed thereafter. Not a Drop Wasted. Marg accepted Defeat with Three Pieces of Lamb left. Doggy Bag. No Problem.
A Plate of what appeared to be Two different Couscous with Fresh Coriander was presented. We each had a sample – Refreshing.
Our Waiter came over and asked if we would like to try a Dessert on The House. There is a New Chef. What I thought I heard as Kulafa, but research now suggests Kunafa was brought. We had asked for One Portion to share, just as well. A Middle Eastern Sweet served with Ice Cream and Cream. There were Nuts, Fruit and a something Spun on top. Very Sweet. A Portion to share was Perfect. Had I the room to eat all this, I would have ordered more Curry. Marg had The Cherry on top.