The Mediaeval Markt was originally the Highlight of the Weihnachtsmarkts, it is no more, though some of the Original Vendors remain. Hector arrived on foot from Reissdorf too late for The Flaming Mo. Two disappointments today. The earlier Curry-Heute could surely be improved upon.
Mumbai Palace (Am Malzbüchel 1, 50667, Köln) was discovered by chance Two Years ago on a walk from Köln-Sud to Mühlen. The chances of finding something Truly Outstanding in the Köln Curry Scene are diminishing. I have nearly visited them all. Is the Curry-Heute Blog taking on Overtones of Train-spotting?
It was after 21.30 on a Sunday Evening. There was nobody there. The Waiter looked Surprised when The Lone Diner emerged from the Pouring Rain. Good timing on my part.
€3.00 for a 0.3l Bottle of Sparkling Water was again on the steep side. It was all they had. A Chapatti at €1.90 did not endear itself, nor was one ordered. No Paratha were available.
I negotiated a Dry Curry, in English. No Sauce? – was the reply. We agreed on Minimal and Spicy, and Definitely No Capsicum. He wrote this down. Lamb Bhindi was the choice of Curry. In English, The Menu clearly stated they would listen to anyone’s Particular Requirements. The Waiter had, but appeared to be in a hurry. Maybe they thought they were closing early?
Once again the Tea-Light Heater was placed on the Table, it’s the Köln way. A Huge Portion of Rice accompanied-– wait for it a – Dry Curry! This looked the part, perfect, at last. Now of course it was Under-Seasoned and needed Methi to make it Outstanding. But, Hector had been deprived of Real Curry. This was bringing out The Positive Waves from the Start.
There was a Kick.
Spicy was asked for, Spicy came. The Kick kept coming. This was Great, a Spicy Curry in Deutschland! The Lamb was Interesting, not Boiled for Days. It was Tender but retained some Firmness. The thought that this could be their Tandoori/ Lamb came to mind, but it did not have any feel of having been Marinated. I did not count the Lamb pieces, there was Loads, no need. The Masala, ah, I can use this term again, was delightfully Onion and Tomato Rich and Thick. In the Dry style Hector craves. Only The Bombay has ever produced a Curry like this for Hector in Köln. The Duck I had there was definitely Stir-Fried. I do not believe this was. The Okra was cooked to perfection, still a bit of Firmness, unlike when I cook it. So many Positives. Ideally it needed an Infusion of something, Methi would be obvious. Still, probably the Best Curry served to Hector in Köln.
I shall be back.
Whilst I ate I could here a lot of scraping sounds from the Kitchen. Nobody had ordered a Takeaway to my knowledge. A Staff Curry?
The Bill
€18.90. The Prices are going in the right direction.
The Aftermath
I had to ask the origins of Mein Host. He said he was Indian. I told how much I had enjoyed the Bhindi Gosht and asked if they used Methi/Fenugreek in any of their Recipes. He looked blank. He had never heard of this Magic Herb.
I asked about Staff Curry. Again, not an eyebrow stirred. Nope.
Walking up Severinstrasse from Reissdorf, Hector stumbled upon another Köln Curry Outlet which has not Bubbled-up on any search engine. The Himalaya Restaurant (Severinstrasse 52C, 50678, 
There was a Sunday Rendezvous at Gaffel am Dom at 13.00. I had announced previously that I would arrive there as soon a the Sunday Brunch Curry-Heute had been despatched. There are three Curry Houses along the Heumarkt – Neumarkt Axis which I had yet to try. The Plan was to do Two today. I knew the Mumbai Palace opened at 13.00 on a Sunday, I looked Yesterday. At what time would Rangoli (Herzogstrasse 11-13, 50667, 
I walked in and saw a Waiter in the Rear. It was quite a walk. I was shown to a Window Seat. A Family of Six arrived ten minutes later and were sat behind me. Another Lady was shown to the Table in front of me. I know why they do this, but they could have given us each a bit more Privacy.
I dipped the Paratha in the Masala, no Spice and no Flavour hit the Hector Palate. Under-seasoned. Ah, Slivers of mostly Red Capsicum and Green. Why?
The Pakora, Two Bhaji-like Bits, disappeared very quickly. I’m not worried about the Main Course – was Jonathan’s comment. He knows the Rule of Starters. Jonathan was pleased with the Appearance of his Lamm Saag. There was a Spinach Presence rather than a Domination. The Sauce had a good, Rich Taste though it was slightly lacking in Spice. The Lamb added nothing. I did see the Keema Naan but lost all track of it thereafter. The Roti were Small, fine as a Rice Accompaniment, and they did not Crisp.
The Moti Mahal (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 34, 1012 SB, 
I actually walked past and subliminally saw the End Diners believing the Restaurant was further up the road. It was after the Rendezvous with Jonathan, Lord Clive and Lady Maggie that I realised just how close it was to the Hotel.
Roger and Hector arrived promptly at the arranged 19.30. Roger went upstairs to join Howard who was already in situ. Hector stayed downstairs to study the Vegetable Curry Dishes that were available this evening. Potato and Peas – Mmmmm. Stainless Steel Buffet Dishes were on display upstairs, this I have not previously witnessed. A Buffet here could be remarkable, all Lamb Dishes on-the-bone?
Having verified The Order, Shahid returned to inform Jonathan that there was no Keema. Lamb Chops Karahi was the Worthy Substitute. So what about the Mince for the Paratha? Twenty Minutes – said Shahid. Not a long time to wait for Properly Cooked Curry. At least Double this time had passed before the First Dishes were brought. Six CAMRA Members, all drinking Soft Drinks. A First? We had plenty of time to admire (?) the Upstairs Décor – Butlins meets an Italian Cafe – was somebody’s verdict. Oh, that person was me.
Kenny was waxing lyrical about his Achari Gosht. I had to remind him that note-taking with Curry Covered Fingers is not possible. A Stunning Depth of Flavour, a Dimension of Flavour I never Taste in Takeaways bought in the West End of Glasgow. Kenny does not Dine Out often it appears. A Sweet, Chilli Kick from the Pickle. My First Visit, and not My Last.
Hector was in his Curry Element. A Dark, Thick Masala shrouding the Tenderest of Lamb. A Great Kick, Seasoning, Methi, Everything I look for in a Curry. Again this was Curry to note. The Accompanying Potato-Peas Curry would have been Bland on its own. Acting as the Interesting Vegetable it did its job well. A Perfect Combination, and served warmer than last Saturday’s Vegetable Side.
Dr. Stan like Roger, is a Man of Few Words. On Saturday the – Mmmms – numbered Four. This evening we lost count. Dr. Stan enjoyed every morsel.
Lord Clive of Crawley is in town, and so he joined Dr. Stan and Hector for the Friday Evening Curry Ritual. The Laurieston was the rendezvous with The Company later and so a quicker than anticipated return to the Excellent – 
this time, the Bones were Round. The Marrow in the Bones must add Extra Flavour, one does not achieve this Standard of Curry without the Presence of Bones. This I could Eat Every Day.
There had to be a photo with Ayaz.