The Wee Curry Shop, Byres Rd.

 It is exactly eleven months since Marg and Hector last ate at The Wee Curry Shop (41 Byres Rd, Glasgow G11 5RG). Normally if we set foot in the Mother India chain it is to the Cafe along the road. Hector still has issues as to exactly how much of the food is cooked on the premises and how much is cooked at Mother India Depot.

Last time we had the £8.50 evening menu, we were almost tempted once more but in the back of my mind I recalled that the portion size in the main dish was not what one would hope for. Al la carte it was then.

The Specials were pencilled on to the menu, Lamb with Okra was Marg’s choice. Uncanny.

Lamb Karahi was the only real alternative. The menu here has always been wee. Vegetable Pilau was also on the Specials list, two Roti were the additional Sundries.

The Lamb Karahi covered the base of the metal dish from which the dish takes its name. Marg’s initial reaction was to count the pieces of Lamb. In fact the portion was more than adequate, the meat was in large chunks. Marg’s Bindi Gosht looked very similar to the content of the Karahi with the Okra piled on top. As I tasted both I could tell no difference.

The Masala was rich as is customary in Mother India Curries. The flavour was not overwhelming, good, but not outstanding. The Rice was sufficient to share, the Roti were perfect.

We were virtually finished before anyone came upstairs to check on our enjoyment.  This is a far cry from the early days of this venue when as Mrs Majhu’s they had possibly the best Curry in Glasgow and an Chap at front of house who was a hoot.

The Bill

£25.95. The two soft drinks and the two Roti inflated the price.

The Aftermath

Satisfaction was certainly achieved, but it is evident that Glasgow now boasts quite a few better outlets. We were the first diners of the evening. Eight more diners had joined us by the time we left. They have their customers, how many still miss Mrs Majhu’s?

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Why no Karela Gosht?

A Friday night Curry-Heute with Jonathan, ?Stan! was making a presentation at the Bon Accord.

Hector suggested we meet at The New Karahi Palace (51-53 Nelson Street, Glasgow. G5 8DZ). The last visit was back in June when the whole troop turned out for a very impressive meal. A return was long overdue.

Arriving early Hector put in the agreed order for the excellent Karela Lamb Handi. The young Mein Host shook his head. ‘Not tonight.’ There was no reason given and so I asked for a suggestion.

Bindi Gosht was recommended, having watched Yvonne enjoy this dish in München some days before now seemed uncanny. The HTC enabled me to verify with my dining partner that all was in order.  Two Mushroom Rice and Two Chapattis were the Sundries.

I was told the meals would be ready by 18.15, this was good timing. At the New Karahi Palace the meals are cooked to order, I do not believe they operate the two sauce pot system here.

I had opted to sit downstairs in the main shop area. Upstairs started to fill up with young Asian families. The thunder of little hooves from above was decidedly off putting. Kids running riot is not Hector’s idea of a good start to the weekend.

Jonathan sat down and the food arrived. Two plates of Lamb on-the-bone, piled high and topped with Okra and Coriander. The Masala was minimal, this looked the Full Bhoona. The Mushroom Rice is virtually a meal in itself. One Chapatti, two Chapatti, they came five minutes apart. Strange.

The Lamb was perfect, the quantity impressive, and to think I could have ordered a half kilo… In a nearby venue, when one orders Lamb on-the-bone the meat content is compromised, not here.  The Okra was cooked  properly too,  and was abundant.  A Curry needs an Interesting Vegetable.

The flavour was familiar, has the Chef been to the Village? Then another flavour emerged, has the Chef been to Yadgar?   That the New Karahai Place lies between both these venues is also ironic. Dear Reader, you may now gather that this Curry was hitting the spot. It was not the Curry I came for, serendipity once again. It is about time this venue was fully highlighted on the Glasgow Curry Map.  This is quality Curry!

The Bill

£17.20, or £8.60 each! This was excellent value for an excellent Curry.

The Aftermath

Five visits now and on each visit I have been very impressed by the quality of the food on offer. This is very much a Curry Cafe, I have yet to take Marg, this could be the acid test. The biggest drawback I see to the New Karahi Palace is the lack of communication. The young Chap is the only person who appears to have any English. My attempt at phoning in an order was fruitless last time. The shrug accompanying the no Karela was not really on, it is on the menu so why is this Vegetable not in the shop? When one compares the welcome at Yadgar with what is on offer here it is night and day. This food should be eaten by more people, they badly need somebody front of house.

I was promised Karela next time.

 Mr. Holden is in town next week, if Hector has any influence on the choice of venue, the other Bradford Curry Guru could be brought here. Or will the temptation of Tripe at Yadgar be too much?

And there’s more…

The Bradford Curry Guru and Blogger is in town this weekend. At Hector’s suggestion he is headed to Cafe Salma. Good luck, John.

 

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Glasgow – Who mentioned The Village?

This is only Hector’s ninth visit to The Village (129 Nelson St, Glasgow, G5 8DZ) this year.  Given that three of these were in January might go some way towards the enforcement of the feeling that all is not what it was.  The temporary accommodation has now been occupied for some eighteen months.  Master Baig told me this evening that they hope to be in by December. 

This year? –  I asked.

Steve and Hector had to make a dash across to the South Side, so a quick Curry was required on the way home.  Both of us were ravenous.  Hector has just returned from deepest Perthshire where he was indeed fed, but UK style food..

The Masala Fish at £5.95 is an expensive start to a meal.  Tonight the appetite was sure it would be justified.  What came was a Pink Fish (on the inside) encrusted with Herbs and Spice.  It looked evil, it tasted wonderful.  I shall have this again.

Steve chose the Chicken and Garlic Puri, his first ever Puri – and it wasn’t Prawn!  Whilst he enjoyed it, I am certain I had the greater experience.

The main courses had to be The Big Two.

Steve ordered the Lamb Tawa (hot) and Hector the classic Village Lamb  Desi Korma (hot).  The waiter tried to encourage us to have them on-the-bone, but we know this compromises the meat content of the portion.  For Sides the Mushroom Rice and my usual Veggie Rice prevailed.

When the dishes arrived, the waiter could not tell them apart, this  was not encouraging.  The portion sizes looked as if they had recovered somewhat; however there was a lot of Masala.  The Lamb was thoroughly cooked through such that it was fork shreddable.  There was a familiar flavour but not the overwhelming Desi Korma – Yogurt and Citrus effect.  We did wonder if we had each others dinners. Steve commented on the Salt content of his meal.  After my recent Erlangen Curry experiences I would not be in the position to notice.

We ate the lot. There was not much more to say, except I have forgotten how Oily the Curry is here.

The Bill

£31.80.  This is what happens when you have Starters.

The Aftermath

Master Baig asked what I thought of my meal. ‘

Not as good as was being served last year –  was my reply.  I further qualified this by stating it did not look the same and he knows I photograph every Curry I eat.  I also told him the Citrus flavour was missing.   I was then informed that the it was the normal Chefs day off. Don’t go on a Wednesday then?

On the drive back the aftertastes came through.  Yes, I now knew I had been to The Village.

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München – Breakfast of Champions – Indian Mango

Hector’s ‘plane was not until 16.55. His three fellow travellers were completing their own rituals that are part of the farewell to München. Hector had Blogging to do and a Sunday brunch to eat. Sitting for a while in the adjacent Cafe Love it was matter of metres to Indian Mango (Zweibruckenstrasse 18, 80331, München).

Only Bert and the Twin Chefs were there this morning. Hector was not first through the door after the noon opening. Two other keen diners had beaten me to it. I was assured that at this time on a Saturday they are always full, but it takes until 14.00 for the masses to emerge on a Sunday.

The Fisch Curry was the choice of the day. I needed something light, I wanted to compare the straight dish with the Chettinad, and I was hopefully not expected to fly the ‘plane.

My meal arrived within the blink of an eye. Fish does cook quickly I suppose. The Curry did everything I hoped. It lacked the texture of the Chettinad but the same distinctive Indian Mango flavours were still present.

The Bill

 €8.95. No sides (Rice included), no drink, just a superb meal and my last opperchancity to dine here, for wait for it, four more weeks!

 The Aftermath

Hector flew home with Craig, Yvonne and Howard. Craig mentioned our normal Village visits after Marg collects us from Edinburgh Airport. Not today, Hector has been Mangoed.

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München – Indian Mango, by request

Today was not a question of if, but when. The Friends of Hector were unanimous that there would be a return trip to Indian Mango (Zweibruckenstrasse 18, 80331, München). We spent the latter part of the afternoon sampling the Spaten Oktoberfestbier then jumped on the S Bahn down to Isartor. The young Doris and Bert were there once more to greet us.

Sitting at the same table as Tuesday, we were one Juliet and Steve less, but had gained a ?Stan!

Hector knew that having had the Fisch Chettinad on the last visit, the Lamb version was called for this time. ?Stan! went for the Fisch version whilst Craig and Howard ordered the straight Fisch Curry. Yvonne chose the Mutton Masala Madras.

Poppadoms were ordered at €1 each. No comment. Two Garlic Nan were ordered for Howard and Hector, we were hungry.

The wait tonight was nowhere near as long as at the start of the week. There was a worrying moment when the plates arrived, the Rice was set before us and then nothing. Frustration is the thought that the Curry is sitting somewhere getting cold.

Before I attempt to praise the Curry let me point out the major disappointment of the evening. The Nan was little more than a slightly thicker Chapatti. There was no evidence of Garlic either. Now we know.

Craig has now described Mango as his favourite Curry House, I believe he means anywhere! Howard also thoroughly enjoyed this Fish dish. ?Stan! was hardly likely to be exuberant but was surprisingly full of praise. Yvonne loved her Lamb Madras.

Hector’s Curry was once again at the very highest level. The Lamb was plentiful and tender. The Masala has its own distinctive Indian Mango flavour. The Chettinad grit of chopped fresh Vegetables is something I know I shall attempt soon in my own cooking.

The plates were spotless when they were collected. Had we licked the plates we could not have made them any cleaner.

 The Bill

 €67.85. The two Chettinads are significantly dearer than the dishes from the main menu. They are worth every cent.

The Aftermath

 Our compliments were sent to the two young Chefs whom we now know are twin brothers, nice.

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Sur Mandir; a Salted again in Erlangen

DB were in a more efficient mode today. The twenty three minute journey from Bamberg to Erlangen took twenty two minutes. Hector was tempted to return to the impressive Curry House, but there must be more to the Erlangen Curry scene than this. There are a disproportionate number of outlets for this size of town. And when one considers the number of Curry Houses in Nurnberg just another fifteen minutes away, one has to speculate as to why this part of Frankonia is blessed with so many Curry outlets.

With Google Maps on display, the rather un-trusted HTC would provide the necessary navigation. Two venues were close together, this doubled the opperchanity of a lunchtime feed. Sur Mandir (Luitpold Strasse 18, Erlangen) revealed itself first. I would have described the address as being on Bismarckstrasse myself.

The rain of two days ago had been consigned to history, the brilliant sun, low in the sky, had made the reactive lenses fully functional. I entered Sur Mandir and saw Mein Host sitting directly in front of me. I could see little else. The dim electric lights, the shades drawn and the unlit candles added to my visual impairment. I sat at the first table and was given a menu. I could not read it. Removing the glasses made life slightly better, the candle was lit, Hector can see.

The Mutton Handi was the clearly lunch of champions. I had understood that the house operated a Spice rating based on the level of the Complimentary Poppadom, I don’t understand. Madras? Mein Host suggested. By now any attempt at Deutsch had dissipated, his English was on a par with mine.

The Poppadom was Spicy, it is also the Saltiest Poppadom I have ever tasted. I ate only half of it.

Little more than ten minutes had passed when the Bits started to arrive. A candle heater was laid before me and lit. The meat bowl containing a very Red Curry was placed on top. Enough Basmati Rice for two was presented along with a Side Salad.

The redness of the Masala had me worried, in fact the pulped Tomato content of the Masala had added to this, it was not all food colouring. The Masala was once again of the old fashioned, not Soup, but not runny consistency. Three Black Cardamom pods were separated from the edible part of the Curry.

The Masala was hot, really hot. I know someone who would have died instantly had this been set before him. The Salt content was again noticeable. Perhaps the Karrah effect worked well. There were flavours emanating from the Masala despite the heat. The Lamb was tender, at times I speculated as to how long the Meat and the Masala had been in each others company.

About one third of the Rice ended up on my plate. This was a waste. I did not know how anyone could have eaten all this. As for the Side Salad, I am sure the next customer must have enjoyed it.

The Bill

€16.00 This  included a glass of Sparkling Water. This was approximately twice the price of the Curry House. As I paid I offered my Calling Card. Not for the first time, the mention of Website had the recipient thinking I was trying to sell the business a Website. I have been here twenty years, in fact twenty years last week, without a computer. – Hector was told.

The Aftermath

This was a Curry I shall probably not forget. I was back at the Bahnhof in good time to catch the S Bahn to Buttenheim where ?Stan! awaited. Meantime Howard was wandering around Erlangen trying to find the Kitzmann Brewery Tap, how Hector’s priorities have changed.

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The Curry House in Erlangen

Having eaten the worst Curry-Heute in Bamberg at this time last year there was no way I would return to the Swarg. It is a short hop with a Bayern Ticket to Erlangen which boasts five Curry Houses, at least. DB are not having a good day today, well they did excel yesterday (cf Bier-Traveller). Everything is running twenty minutes late. So much much for my planned 13.00 rendezvous at Schlenkerla.

Hector finds a Curry House in a new town

I have never been to Erlangen before today. There are a couple of Breweries (Kitzmann) here, but somehow Forchheim and Nurnberg always win. Nearest to the Bahnhof and most importantly open, lies the Curry House (Helmstrasse 11, 91054, Erlangen). This is in essence a Fast Food Indian Cafe. They advertise that they are open every day from 11.00 until midnight, perfect.

Having selected my table I realised it was approaching self-service. I glanced at the Board and then focused on the array of Curry dishes behind the counter. The Mutton was a stand out. I paid my €8.90 to the young Lady and the Chap started to spoon a very generous helping on to the plate. As is customary in Deutschland, the other half the large plate was covered in Boiled Basmati and then topped with a quarter Poppadom.

I took my seat and got tore in.

Karrah!

This is the Saltiest Curry I have ever eaten. ?Stan! would love it. Where was this place back in the old days when I used to cover my food in Salt? The Masala was a typical old fashioned, quite runny, Sauce, but the pedigree was there. I felt as if I had travelled back in time. This was going to be superb.

Eating this early in the day is quite an achievement for Hector. To eat this quantity was nothing short of miraculous. I counted the pieces of Mutton once I was halfway through the meal. I still had six large pieces of Mutton to go. It would be touch and go. The Lamb was so Tender, the Meat and the Masala were not strangers on the plate. This Curry had been cooked properly, the pleasure was all mine.

The Bill

€8.90, were you not paying attention?

The Aftermath

There was little time for discussion. There were five diners present when I entered, this figure had doubled when I left. I took my plate back to the counter and handed over my Calling Card to the Chef. I made positive noises in Deutsch and my Card was passed to the Fraulein who pinned it to the wall. We shall see.

The Menu is limited but covers the main array of expected dishes including Butter Chicken, so Marg will be brought here next time she comes to Bamberg. There is also a Mutton Spinach dish which will be the next Curry of choice, yes Hector will definitely return, this place can make Curry!

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München – Indian Mango is open, it was wonderful!

The approach to Indian Mango (Zweibrückenstr. 15, 80331, München)   was tinged with a slight nervousness. John had reported the place shut on his two attempts at securing what could be the finest Curry House in Deutschland, earlier this year. Hector had phoned, no reply. Hector had emailed Mr. Jolly, no reply. The lights were on, we were in business.

There were two young waiters this time and the Chefs also looked different, they are very young too.  19.40 was Hector and Howard’s ETA from a swift visit to the Forschung Brauhaus. Craig, Yvonne, Juliet and Steve – the man who discovered Mango, were all due imminently. Howard and Hector had soft drinks whilst we waited. This wonderful Curry House does sell Bier, but we were here for the Curry.

The Spezial’s Board was gone, in its place was a laminated additional menu. The Fisch Chettinad would be Hector’s meal of choice. This was from the Spezial menu and at €14.90, not a cheap option. Howard had the Fish from the normal menu as did Craig. Steve opted for the Lamb Vindaloo, Yvonne the Bhindi Gosht, and Juliet the Chicken Jalfrezi. (Chicken!?) Two Roti and a Nan were also ordered.

The wait was considerable, were they waiting for the Fish Eggs to hatch? When the dishes finally appeared it was the Rice Bowls which were presented first. This is a departure from our normal Mango experience where Curry and Rice are served on the plate together. The quantities of Rice were copious, indeed we amassed an extra bowl.

The Fisch Chettinad at Mango is indeed one of Hector’s all time favourite Curry experiences. The Masala and the Fisch are as one, not dry but certainly not Soup. The flavours are exquisite and the Coriander stems give a slight gritty texture. Howard and Craig, the other two Fish eaters were also marvelling at their meal, but Hector knew his was Spezial…

Yvonne learned tonight that Bhindi is in fact Okra. She thoroughly enjoyed the experience and discovered that Okra could minimally is very pleasant, not the slime she usually is presented with when Hector reheats the vast Curry Pot at a Barrel Party. Steve and Juliet also enthused about their respective Curries. This is a very special place. If there is a better Curry Haus in Munchen, please tell us where.

The Bill

€79.90. Between the six of us this was perhaps dearer than we would pay for the equivalent at home, but then Sterling has gone down the pan. They could charge what they like at Indian Mango, I would still pay it.

The Aftermath

I gave my calling card to the young Doris who informed us that Mr Jolly was due on the premises any minute. Our shared enthusiasm for this venue was related. We could not hang about, the Festbier was calling.

There must be another visit to Mango on this trip – Saturday!

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The Mother of Hector visits Yadgar!

Hector finds himself on vacation one week sooner than the rest of the teaching fraternity in the West of Scotland.  Marg decreed it was time to take Mother out for a Curry-Heute.  The Mother of Hector could claim that Yadgar (148  Calder St, Glasgow, G42 7QP )  is her local Curry House, if the grill joint on Aikenhead Rd is dismissed.

High Noon

Shkoor was forewarned of the impending moment, 1kg of Goshat Karahi (boneless) was ordered in advance along with two Veggie Rice and three Chapattis.  High Noon was in fact to be 18.00.

Road Report #1

Marg, Hector and the Mother of Hector entered Yadgar at precisely the agreed moment.  En route, the new Polmadie exit to the M74 was attempted for the first time.  Who has put a sign for Polmadie to the right, and Oatlands to the left at the end of the slipway?  The Polmadie route takes you to Govanhill.   Useless!

The venue was a bit on the chilly side, coats were kept on until we had acclimatised  The Complementary Onion Chutney and Popadoms appeared soon after we had taken our seats.  The Mother of Hector demanded Mango Chutney, Hector made it so.  Two Mango Lassis were ordered for the ladies, Hector had  his now usual Rubicon Mango fizz.

Shkoor appeared from nowhere, how does he do this?  He must have a hideyhole on the premises.  The wonderful Karahi was brought to the table.  The two Veggie Rice were already in situ.  The Chapattis completed the array, it was time to feast.

Tonight’s Goshat Karahi looked the part, the Masala was minimal.  Even more Mango Chutney was ordered to appease the Mother of Hector, she finally started to eat the wonderful Curry set before her.

Marg instantly declared it was too hot for her.  Hector announced that this Curry had to be up to the standards expected by The Mother of Hector.  There were no complaints from our guest, who simply got stuck in.  When she spooned even more from the generous Karahi, I knew she was enjoying the finest Curry served in Glasgow.  Did she make any positive comment?… of course not, we Hectors are made of sterner stuff.

Hector can declare that this is the best Curry he has had here in some visits, so this must have made it outstanding.  Eventually there were positive pronouncements from the Lady.

Shkoor appeared once more during the meal to ensure all was well.  Marg took the opportunity to order another Lassi, what a mistake.  Shkoor, the gentleman, was in full charm mode.  I introduced the Lady who had force-fed, sorry, strongly encouraged, Hector to eat Curry form a very early age.  The Mother of Hector will probably remember Shkoor to her cronies more than the taste of the Curry.   She has a wee Take-Away for luch tomorrow.

The Mother of Hector has stated that she will return to Yadgar!

The Bill

 £29.90.  In his most magnanimous mood, Shkoor had waved the cost of the drinks.  Between three, this is tremendous value.  The gesture is always appreciated.

The Aftermath

On our exit I spotted the Tripe Curry, it looks enticing.  Perhaps when Mr Holden next appears in Glasgow we may sample it?

Road Report #2

The cones at the north end of Aikenhead Rd are very confusing.  No, I did not hit any!  In the dark, Hector found himself on the wrong side of the road at the traffic lights.  Unperturbed he crossed back over.  I have driven this road for nearly forty years, why am I confused now?

Tomorrow, München!

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Mama’s Rasoi, a new Glasgow Curry Cafe

It was Eleanor,  a historian, who informed Hector of the existence and the location of Mama’s Rasoi (82 Howard St, Glasgow, G1 4EE).  Let the Geographer describe it as being on the wrong side of the tracks; outside the St Enoch’s Centre, but on the south side.  This is a part of the city which people traverse by bus or when queuing to access the St Enoch’s car park.  Few people actually walk along Howard St.  It was no surprise to find a staff member handing out flyers to the few who did emerge from the St Enoch’s Centre on the wrong side.

The last time Hector entered these premises it was a rather excellent vegetarian café/restaurant.  It has changed hands many times over the years so I wish these guys good luck.  Glasgow needs more Curry Cafes, and a centrally placed one like this will give a kick up the proverbial to the overpriced, table-clothed, staid venues.

There were a handful of diners as Hector entered shortly after 14.00.  The bright yellow laminated menu caters for all tastes Curry or not.  As Mama’s Rasoi  opens at 08.00, they serve British breakfasts, I wonder if anyone has ever asked for Curry this early.  On my Sri Lankan trip, even I could not eat Curry for breakfast.

It was Jack, the front of house partner who served me.  I knew this because I had time to access their website and discover more about Mama’s Rasoi.  The Chef JD once cooked for the Indian Prime Minister.  So this is an Indian Café then.  Jack sounded as Indian as I do.

There were four Lamb dishes on offer, all priced under £5.  The Lamb Desi Curry seemed a logical place to establish what this place can do.  Chapattis felt like the perfect accompaniment, Jack suggested I have Tandoori Chapattis, so I did.  This was a good recommendation, they were excellent.

The Curry did not take too long to arrive.  My initial reaction was one of major disappointment – a plate of Soup. Hector prefers a thick Masala.  I could have gone for the Bhoona, but the website menu suggested Peppers. The Lamb pieces were cut quite small, there was not that many of them.  I suppose at £4.95 this is more of a Tapas portion.  The bottom of the pot revealed a thicker Masala, and the flavour of the classic Indian curry/mustard leaf infusion.  This dish was much better than I originally thought.  The aforementioned Chapattis were the perfect accompaniment.

Hector the Inspector

Jack had spotted me taking the photos.  He asked if I was a tourist.  I told him I would tell him more after I had eaten.  And so Jack and I chatted for some minutes, I gave him the calling card and showed him the website.  I wonder if Jack’s spontaneous nomenclature will catch on.

The Bill

£7.90.  This included a half litre bottle of Sparkling Mineral water.  I felt I had eaten enough.

The Aftermath

Having spotted Palak Paneer on the menu, I know someone who may make a beeline to Mama’s Rasoi.

For a quick snack this place is good value, I hope they get the foot fall.  It is only a few steps from the Hootenanny, what sort of name is this?

The Take Away Menu

 The Take Away Menu is much more extensive than what is on offer in the Café.  With prices typically around the £8 mark, one assumes that these will be full portions.  Lamb Kofta Achari sounds appealing.  There is a Chicken Chettinad but no Lamb version apparently.  The Fish menu also looks enticing.

A Question

The question has to be asked: why have such an extensive Take Away Menu and such a minimalist in House Menu?

Posted in [Daawat / Mama's Rasoi] | 1 Comment