It Never Rains but it Pours
Actually, the last rain Marg and Hector endured was as we boarded the easyJet flight to Athens at Edinburgh Airport on Sunday afternoon. Just in case nobody on Planet Earth is aware, Athens has baked in sunshine all week, with temperatures hitting 20°C +!
I refer to my struggle to find my favourite Greek Dish in any Athena Taverna.
Yesterday
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.
The Lone Diners were wined & dined. Marg had Glasgow Chips at The Wee Dram and so a Greek Salad was enough for her. Clive, beware, my intolerance of Feta Cheese appears to be on the wane. There may not be enough Feta production in all of Greece to satisfy us both if we ever visit simultaneously.
Stifado, Beef in a Rich Onion and Tomato based sauce, rich in Paprika, served on a bed of Onions. I have used this description already this week for other Greek Dishes. This is how they are. How close to Curry is this?
The Band were warming up as we entered, they played to us. It was almost Lady and The Tramp. We were their audience. Our appreciation was shown in every way. Hector had his Stifado, Marg had her Chips.
Today
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 Athens, one stop beyond. Trying to find Triptolemou was not easy. Yes, one walks to the very end of Ermou past the excavations and reaches the Old Gasworks. The restaurant is directly through these. Arriving by Metro at Keramikos would have been easier, it is 50 metres to the right of the exit.
The building was modern, flashy almost. The interior walls were decorated in, can I say, a Spartan manner? Marg immediately asked our waiter how long they had been here – Two years.
It was 14.00, We were The Lone Diners. Apologies were given for having no Sparkling Water or Soda. 7 Up it was to be.
The Menu was a hoot. All the Classic Curry Dishes were listed in our nomenclature, the descriptions were all in Greek. Lamb Krahi (€11.00) was on offer. There was no way of identifying if the Dreaded Green Mushy Vegetable would be part of their Krahi. I’ll take a chance.
The Bread has disappointed this week, Vegetable Rice at €5.50 seemed a bit pricey, but this would possibly be the only meal of the day.
Marg decided to have something wweeter and lighter than the anticipated Karahi. Chicken Butter Masala and One Chapatti (€2.00) was the choice.
Medium or Spicy? – asked the waiter. Spicy – replied Hector.
The Mature Chef was visible through the glass wall of the kitchen halfway along the Restaurant. Lots of scraping sounds were heard. Would the Krahi be a Stir-Fry? The aroma of Garlic being cooked wafted through the door from the kitchen, the palates were salivating.
To the rear of the Restaurant was an glass enclosed area, hopefully a partition for the cursed-smokers. This was definitely the most upmarket venue of the week.
The two Curry Pots and the Chapatti arrived First. Marg started whilst it was Hot. One Red Curry, one dark brown. The Krahi was brown. It looked the part. No Vegetables were visible, so the Rice was the correct call. The Rice was presented moments later. The boiled Rice contained Green Beans, Peas, Sweetcorn, Cloves and Tiny pieces of RED Capsicum. No Problem.
From the first mouthful I knew this was going to be a Special Curry. I broke the seal on the Masala, if it had been any more viscous it would have been solid. How does one prepare a Masala this Thick? Excellent! The Seasoning was the next thing to impress. Marg had a sample, she too noted the Salt Content. This must have stood out even more against her Sweet Dish. The Flavours continued to emerge, the Vegetables and the Rice added different Textures. Hector was in his element. This was easily the Best Curry of The Week. This Curry would pass muster in any UK Restaurant. The Karahi in the Indian Kitchen impressed, this was up another level.
The plate was cleared. Every morsel consumed, with joy.
the best food of the world – is written on their paper table covers. How true!
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!
The waiter came across as we neared the end of our dining ritual.
Wonderful – was how I described the meal. When he returned at the end I pointed to the clean plates. This says it all.
The Bill
€33.00. One can eat Greek Food for less than this, but I would happily have paid more for this Wonderful Curry.
The Aftermath
The Calling Card was offered and explained. I showed the waiter the Curry-Heute Website. He went through the Athens Curry Houses and was surprised that we frequented the Curry/Dhaka Palace.
Not the Best part of Town – he suggested. For reasons which did not emerge, he was particularly interested in the Belgian coverage.
Hands were shaken. I shall return here – definitely.
This venue must be Recommended.
An hour or so later, Marg asked:
Why didn’t you use the 20% Discount Voucher you had from the Metro Map?
Update – October 2020
Kohenoor has gone.
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!
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.