Caspian, The Manchester Curry Mile

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Hector

After a day trip to Sheffield, only ?Stan! (two lunches) and Hector were left standing. One of us had been saving oneself for another visit to the famous Manchester Curry Mile. A taxi took me to the top end of Wilmslow Road, the driver had nowhere he was determined to take me to, and so I set about making my choice. The Shahi Masala looked impressive as I approached, but this is not my sort of place. I am suspicious these days of the great Curry Palaces where the crowds gather and all eat their bland Chicken Curry. Hector was in the mood for something different.

I photographed yet another exterior, the Caspian (61-63 Wilmslow Rd, Rusholme, Manchester, M14 5TB) caught my eye. Caspian, not a part of the Indian sub-continent I deduced. Hector Holmes has been busy of late.

As I entered, what turned out to be Mein Host was sitting eating a Dessert and immediately questioned me as to the purpose of my photography. I told him I photograph everything and would tell him why once I was fed. A laminated A3 menu was set before me, as is becoming my norm I asked Mein Host what he had for me. The mention of Lamb on-the-bone caused him some stimulation. He said it would come with Salad and Rice. Hector has not had Rice for a while, good.

We chatted away, by the time my meal came he knew where I came from and why I was in Manchester. I explained the perverse logic in choosing to eat in a place directly opposite what may be the biggest Curry outlet on the Mile. Curry-Heute had not been mentioned.

The Salad was fresh and it is just as well I like raw Onion. I nibbled, one can be a rabbit on occasion. As I waited I studied the menu – Borani: chopped fresh spinach with onions, garlic, in yoghurt. Had there been two of us dining I would have ordered this just to try it. One starter had the name Shirazi as a prefix. I know this name well, it is Iranian. I would ask at the end.

A young waiter appeared with my Lamb and Rice. There was more Rice than two people could eat. The Lamb was a single mass on a bone that could have been Spinal. As I ate I read the menu to work out what I might be eating. The Caspian Special is Lamb neck in a tomato sauce served with rice. Tomato Sauce was an honest description, the Masala word would not be appropriate. It was flavoursome but thin.

The Lamb was wonderful. It came off the bone with ease, my knife was abandoned. Tender would not do it justice. The full flavour of the Lamb was complemented by the humble Sauce. I ate heartily knowing that half the Rice would be wasted.

Mein Host was by now sitting with other customers. I was not ignored. I confirmed that the meal was enjoyable. I would probably not have picked this from the menu myself, I am glad my tactic paid off so handsomely.

The Bill

£7.00. To think that I had the equivalent of seven pounds worth of Rice on my plate, one is left to wonder. Great value.

 The Aftermath

I handed over my card, this was well received. Mein Host asked how to contact me but then spotted the email. He confirmed that this indeed was an Iranian outlet. This was  a pleasant experience, across the road how many would have claimed that?

 

Posted in Caspian | 2 Comments

Macnhester – Al-Faisal Tandoori – Hector returns to the Northern Quarter

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Hector

It is a thirty five minute walk at Hector’s not too slovenly pace from the Travelodge on Upper Brooke St. to Thomas St. in the Northern Quarter. I had budgeted for forty.

?Stan! was waiting, punctual as ever. Howard and Tracey had tried Yadgar Cafe across the street last evening and had not reported it to be anything outstanding. Kabana remains closed at weekends, one day. The rest of the troop had already headed off to Sheffield, far too early in my book to think about Bier when Manchester Curry is there to be had.

Al-Faisal Tandoori (58 Thomas St, Manchester, M4 1E) was guaranteed to be open for business, the perfect rendezvous. One therefore concludes that the other places make their money during the week. This a modest Café establishment with a menu listed on a chalk board. ?Stan! and I approached the counter and eliminated Lamb Tikka. Last year Lamb Karahi was on offer, today it was simple old Lamb Curry. Now when was the last time I had a Lamb Curry?

By the time we returned to our table the meals were plated and delivered. They have the food on a hot tray, during the week when people have limited time for lunch this must be ideal. Today it was just amusing. Two Chapattis each was the order, I should have remembered. These are not the wafer thin nonsense served up by too many establishments, these were the fuller, chewy versions made with a darker flour. One would have been more than enough.

The Lamb Curry was basic and old fashioned. The Masala was thin and splashy. Hector was back in his Curry Tardis, it is always good to get back to the roots. ?Stan!, as loquacious as ever was impressed by the simplicity of the whole event. There was enough flavour coming through to make this a pleasant experience, many would have been expecting Spice rather than flavour.

Concentrating on eating the Bread and soaking up the Masala, I did let the Curry get cold. My fault. Still, there was enough to make the return visit memorable.

 The Bill

£12.00. We need more places like this in Glasgow. Let’s hope for Manchester’s sake that as the Northern Quarter becomes Yuppified, venues like this can still afford the rent.

 The Aftermath

?Stan! had looked across the road and noticed 57 Thomas St., the Marble Bar  micro-pub. We tried the door it was locked, it then was opened by Mein Host. The start of another Bier-Traveller day out.

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Punjab Tandoori, The Manchester Curry Mile

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Hector

?Stan! and Hector were the last of the group to leave the New Oxford, the rest retiring after a long day before the pint glass. Having only arrived at 21.00, Hector had much to catch up on. Foremost in my mind this evening was a first ever visit to the famous Manchester Curry Mile. I had strategically booked myself into the Travelodge on Upper Brooke St which was walkable from the eventual destination, however it was a taxi which took me from Salford to Wilmslow Rd. ?Stan! headed in the other direction.

The taxi driver was from Rochdale and had nothing to trump my intended destination the Punjab Tandoori (177 Wilmslow Rd, Rusholme, M14 5AP). This was not a random choice but based on the research I had done in the previous days. Many state that the real Curry in Manchester is served in the Northern Quarter which I visited last year. I had read enough to convince me that this place was worth a try.

This looked to be Hector’s sort of place, a decent looking layout and not pretentious in any way. There was a bar selling the full range of drinks one may desire, alas as the readers know, when Hector is focused on Curry, there will be no distraction. A bottle of Highland Spring Sparkling Water made me feel at home.

The menu was offered, I glanced at it and decided to adopt my preferred method of asking what was available. The Lamb Chops Karahi (without the dreaded mushy green vegetable) was agreed upon. One Roti and one Onion Kulcha were the accompaniments. Kulcha, this would be a new experience.

I sat with my toy and amused myself. The waiter then spotted me sitting arms crossed and must have realised I had now been waiting quite some time. He assured me the meal was coming, I replied that I was happy to wait in order to have something worthwhile prepared.

Two Chaps sat at the table adjacent to the bar going through the receipts for this evening, business must be good, their expressions certainly conveyed this.

The meal was brought to the table and instantly impressed. Two Lamb Chops sat with their bones hanging over the edge of the Karahi bowl, two more were covered by an interesting looking Masala.

The Onion Kulcha and the Roti were both halved and were well presented. The Kulcha had to be tried for the first dip, oh yes.

The Kulcha was shiny suggesting it had been cooked in oil rather than just a hot plate as per the Roti. Sadly the Roti turned out to be like cardboard and so I focused on this new bread treat. An oily Matzo may be a fair description, I shall certainly have this again.

The dangling bones were cold, very cold, I picked one up and the other end of the Chop was hot, very hot. I deduced that this meal must have been heated in the Karahi as the title would suggest, however the bowl was touchable. The Masala too was magnificently hot and revealed a flavour that was a brand new experience for Hector. There was no Methi evident, or Coriander, there was a subtle sweetness therefore. This was most impressive, I was in my element. Gnawing on the bones I began to wish I had stronger eating weapons, one dental visit after a Curry last year was enough.

As I am able to remember the flavour/taste of most things I eat, I shall call this the Manchester Curry Taste. I must also make time to become a pedant and become strict about my careless usage of taste and flavour, I know they are not the same.

The Bill

£13.10. For what I consider to be a top of the range meal I was happy with this, of course in Bradford the Breads would have been inclusive.

Taking photographs of everything one eats does tend to attract attention, especially when the venue is on the quiet side as it was after midnight. The waiter had offered to take my photo as my meal was set before, a nice touch I thought. I made my positive post-meal comments to my excellent waiter and gave him my card. The Chaps who had been counting their takings appeared, one was the owner. The card and my humble website were discussed, I admitted to being a Manchester Curry Novice but my Glasgow pedigree went down well. Everyone wanted to be in the photograph, how did I end up behind the bar? Instinct? Fate? I bade farewell to a great group of Chaps and headed out to explore Curry Vegas.

The Aftermath

At night Wilmslow Rd is Hector Heaven. The place is well lit with an array of Curry Houses one could only dream of. They cater for all tastes and budgets. An Afghan outlet instantly caught my eye, I wonder… Taking a photo of one establishment led to a conversation with presumably Mein Host standing the the doorway. I said I had already eaten but still a good chat ensued. He took my card, I promised to visit.

A taxi driver then hailed me. Seeing I was photographing all in sight he asked if I was looking for somewhere to eat. I asked for his recommendation, he assured me the place he was parked outside, the Lal Qila, was where he dropped most people. He booked me in and took me home, we discussed Curry at length, Hector likes Manchester.

Posted in Punjab Tandoori | 2 Comments

The Sheerin Palace, Part 2

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Hector

Sheerin Palace (300 Allison St, Glasgow, G42 8HQ) serves authentic food in the style and with flavours that have largely disappeared (from Glasgow) in the mist of time.  Cheap and Cheerful – is an apt description for this Curry Café.  There is no menu, one looks to see what is on offer and basically that’s it.  They reheat portions taken from the large trays on display at the counter and these are brought through to the small dining area.

Today the choice was Kofta and Egg, Fish, Chicken Saag, Cauliflower, Daal and Chickpea.

Having arrived first I had time to develop a strategy.  The Kofta and Egg has been enjoyed in the past and is not always available.  The Fish looked stunning.  I knew Howard would find these both appealing too. I would put it to Howard that we share an extra portion of whatever dish he did not want as his main. Simples.  Craig arrived having wandered all over Allison Street, the Chicken and Spinach was his brave choice.

On my last visit I spoiled the dish by having a generous portion of the Biryani as an accompaniment.  Today is Chapatti day. I ordered seven in all.

A Complimentary Salad and portion of Raita each were presented whilst we waited.  The food came in no time at all, the Chaps were already enthusing.  The Masala is definitely not what I look for in my normal Curry outing.  This is thin, red and oily – but the flavour has that aggressive kick which can catch the throat if one is not careful.  I felt as if the Curry Tardis had taken me back to the days of the Green Gate on Bank Street.  Superb.

Howard and Hector both ate their Kofta and Egg first, four Roti were set before us.  I had ordered seven no way would we need that many.  The Roti were large and thick.  I ordered two more, madness.  I knew I could take the leftovers away, this fresh they would reheat no problem at all.

Craig loved his Chicken, it was on the edge of his tolerance level and was packed with flavour.  I dipped the Spinach, had it not been a Chicken dish I would have been tempted.

The Fish turned out to be Salmon.  This time the flavour of the Fish had infused into the Masala, a new dimension, a new wonder.  The level of satisfaction was increasing by the second.  This was a good call; the single portion would not have been enough, the extra share was perfection.

Initially Craig took nothing to drink then I asked if they had Lassi.  A glass was expected, a jug came.  This went down very well.

The staff wandered past as we ate, they could hopefully sense our level of enjoyment.  I think after four visits I am now being recognised.  I left the Calling Card just to remind them that I would be writing very positive things about their modest establishment.

The Bill

£28.50.  The Lassi cost more than the Chicken dish.  The wonderful Roti were 50p each making a mockery of what most places in Glasgow charge for basic Chapattis.  This was a four Curry bill.

The Aftermath

The walk back along Allison St towards the Allison Arms set Hector thinking if this was really the start of Glasgow’s South Side Curry Mile if one adds a disjointed Albert Drive to the other end.  The Chaps are now keen to go exploring, Albert Drive may well be our next port of call.

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Shahed’s, Union Street, Glasgow

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Hector

Established 1974 it says above the window of the latest Curry Café to be established in Glasgow.  Located in a main thoroughfare across the road from the side entrance to Central Station, Shahed’s (78-80 Union St, Glasgow, G1 3QS) is on a prime site.  When the scaffolding disappears from the redevelopment next door this place will be even more visible.

The 1974 refers to their first shop, a takeaway next door to the Allison Arms on Pollokshaws Rd, so Hector has definitely sampled their fare at some time over the last forty years, even if it was just a Pakora.

With another branch in Giffnock one can only deduce that they are confident in what they sell.

It was John who tipped me off about this place over the holiday period.  He had taken advantage of the £5.50 Specials Offers and had been satisfied with what he was given.  As Hector entered the City Centre premises at 21.00, later than he normally would on a Friday evening (?Stan!  was away on his travels) the place was empty but very bright.  Everything was gleaming and with Charcoals their closest, and more dingy competitor, these premises should stand out more.

Having parked the jacket I went up to the counter.  Table service did not appear to be on offer.  I told the young Chap I was not interested in their Special Offers but was interested in procuring the best Curry they could provide.  I was passed to what I later established was Mein Host. The website suggests that this must be young Shahed himself, a trained Chef.  He listened to what my description of a Curry should be and took the order.  I made it clear what I did not want as much as what I did want: no Soup, Capsicum – a dry preference, bitter if possible.  Hector has been very spoiled in recent weeks with the Bradford trip still last week and the wonderful meals prepared at The Punjabi Charing Cross.

I had in effect ordered the Special Lamb Karahi – Meat or poultry cooked in an Indian wok with green chilli, tomato, garlic then served with lashing of coriander and freshly sliced ginger strips, creating a lovely dry and spicy dish.  This ticked the boxes.

Special Lamb KarahiMein Host brought the meal with Chapattis to the table himself.  It looked appealing but did not match the description as written.  Perhaps I had been given a further variant.   At the time of eating I had not read the description anyway.  The dish was in no way dry, and the promised Ginger Strips were not evident.  The taste is the important thing.  This was decidedly sweet, but than having overdosed on Karela and Methi in the last few weeks the palate would find any Curry without these to be so.

The Chapattis and the Curry were steaming hot, this was just as well.  The room was freezing, the door was open, and there was a balance of temperature with the street outside.  I suppose it is better for them to have their door open to prove they are open for business so I have no real complaint with their tactic.

Overall this was a pleasant experience and definitely worth another try.

The Bill

£9.10.  £7.50 for the Curry and £1.60 for the Chapattis – which of course in Bradford would have been included in the price of the Curry.

The Aftermath

Hector finally made it to the Bon Accord where   ?Stan! was leaving as I arrived.  How did this happen?  He has decided that our next Friday night outing in this city will be Banana Leaf.  ?Stan! also has a strategy for Manchester next weekend, what is happening with this man?

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Glasgow – Punjabi Charing Cross – credit where it’s due

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Hector

Last night was wonderful, tonight was going to be something else.  Hari, Mein Host at Punjabi Charing Cross (157 North Street  Glasgow, G3 7DA) had promised Hector fresh Karela prepared in his own inimitable way.  One assumed this would be mixed in with the recently created wonder-meal the Lamb Gurmeet, however, Hari had a surprise in store.

Marg and Hector awaited the company of Alan and Tracy next door in the Bon Accord.  They had managed to overcome the transport restrictions imposed by the local railway franchise.  Just how convenient is this Curry House, and just how welcoming can they be?

Hari was leaving for his other branch in Paisley Road West as we entered.  He confirmed the order was already in.  That was me sorted.  The others reviewed the menu in the dimmest of light.  Tracy eats Chicken, well we cannot all be perfect.  The Mulaidhar – Spinach, Green Chilli, Coriander in a Creamy Masala, a fine choice, but surely better in Lamb?  Alan gave up trying to read in the darkness, both he and Marg followed the Hector.  The order was completed with five Chapattis, a Garlic and Coriander Nan, and yet another pint of Cider. Marg then produced a torch.

Raita and Mango Chutney were added to the normal Complimentary Poppadoms and Onion Chutney, all was set.

Behold the Karela

Tracy’s dish looked splendid and was thoroughly enjoyed, Hector was too absorbed at what was set before him.  On completion of the delivery of the Breads and Curry we were all tucking in when Young Hari presented a plate of Karela.  Generous portions of this bitter vegetable had been Stuffed, Salted, Spiced and presumably roasted.  This was a new experience.  They were certainly well Spiced and well Seasoned, the Salt was to the fore.  Yet again Hector has managed to be present for a new experience in a Glasgow Curry House.  I have never seen or heard of this vegetable being made available in this manner.  Superb!

The Lamb Gurmeet was therefore intact and served as it has been in the last few weeks.  This is as good a Curry as I have experienced anywhere.  Alan having it for the second time was even more enthusiastic than before and pronounced it to be even better than his first sample.  Despite being served as Lamb on-the-bone, Marg was so impresses she ate more than her norm.  Alan and Hector rescued her with her two last pieces of Lamb.  Gentlemen to the end.

The Bill

£65.50.  Not all of this was Cider.  Our Helensburgh guests were impressed by the modest total.

The Aftermath

Young Hari insisted that I have a Liqueur having declined the offer last evening.  Three Liqueurs were set before us, the driver showed due patience.

Hector has been spoiled in the last week; every Curry has been a gem.  Next Friday ?Stan! gets to choose where we dine, on Saturday. Craig has offered to follow me to a Southside Café to which I am long overdue a return.

Google Analytics

For the last few weeks Hector has been able to establish the locality of his readers.  Belfast was the first to be highlighted, then Birmingham, Montreal, and Groningen and of course Islamabad (I know who this is.)  My thanks to all those who take the time to read these Blog entries and hopefully salivate?  Work is looming, the normal pattern of life will return and the indulgence of the last three weeks subside.

Posted in [Punjabi Charing Cross] | 5 Comments

Glasgow – Punjabi Charing Cross – every day in every way…

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Hector

The holidays are over; it is back to the normal routine.  This means the Friday 6pm Curry rendezvous with ?Stan!. ?Stan! has eaten Curry twice over the New Year period in the company of Hector: at Ulverston on Hogmanay and on January 2 in the wonderful Sheesh Mahal in Bradford.  Tonight is his first visit to Punjabi Charing Cross (157 North Street  Glasgow, G3 7DA), next door to the Bon Accord.

Hector was greeted by Hari and Hari’s Son on entry.  They were expecting me tomorrow in different company and were all the happier to see me for the extra visit.  That my frequency of visit in the last few weeks has increased to the point of regular must say something about the quality of food on offer.  In the course of the visit Hari told me to advise anyone coming to get in touch in advance and they will cater for all tastes.  They will cook anything to order.  The last time Hector encountered this was in Balbirs Route 77 (Symington) on the way down to Prestwick Airport.  The house Chef, Mr Gurmeet, may well have had experience of working there.

The Complimentary Poppadoms and Onion Chutney were being devoured when Hari came over to take the order.  ?Stan! had decided to follow the Hector and accept the new Lamb Gurmeet creation.  Four Chapattis would be sufficient accompaniment.

Another couple entered and sat opposite, they clearly knew what they were after as the Lamb Chops were a major part of their order.

Lamb Chops are the meat basis for this new amalgamation of menu items.  The Masala is thick and the fresh Herb content – Coriander and Methi – is to the fore.  It is from here that the wonderful flavours emerge to complement the secret blend of Spice.

This is very tasty – ?Stan! commented spontaneously.  The man of few words had spoken.  There were occasional audible – Mmms – from the retired Doctor of Physics.  I dared to ask for a verdict at the end of the meal: Very enjoyable. was the none too verbose reply.

This is good enough to set before Ricky (our man in Bradford) was my conclusion.

The Bill

£24.85.  This was for two and included a large bottle of Sparkling Water.  The next visit will be for four people and I bet the bill is more than twice this modest sum.

The Aftermath

Tomorrow’s visit is already on the radar.  Hari told me that he bought Karela freshly this morning in order to prepare it for my visit.  This is service.

If only the Real Ale pubs of Glasgow would cater for their customers’ desires to this level.

 

Postscript

On Wednesday evening I met up with some of The Chaps at The Other Place.  Four people asked me as they arrived where I had eaten my Curry-Heute.  When the ever dutiful Marg collected me from the Bon Accord she asked too.  Do people think I eat nothing else but Curry?

Posted in [Punjabi Charing Cross] | 1 Comment

Bradford – Mid-day at The International

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Hector

The final day of the New Year trip did not mean that Hector would let up.  With OCD to the fore there had to be a lunchtime Curry-Heute before embarking on the drive back to Glasgow. When one is in Bradford there has to be the consumption of Curry, it is written.  Marg was happy to come and watch, Craig and Yvonne, our passengers, had stated last evening that they would go off and find breakfast whilst I ate my noon Curry. Imagine Hector’s surprise when they both announced in the lobby of the Bradford Hilton that they were up for it too.

The Sheesh Mahal does not open early and so The International (40-42 Morley St, Bradford, BD 1BA) would once again be the restaurant of choice.  I phoned to verify they were open, else Kashmir would have been the fallback.  They were, and so the short hop from the Wilton Street car park was completed.

Hector had Fish in mind, something light, and something different.  The Fish and Potato Krahi was the winner. Yvonne opted for a Krahi dish too, the King Prawn.  Craig always aware of his Spice threshold decided the Shahi Keema would be safe.  Caught up in the wave of Curry binging, Marg ordered a Prawn Puri.  One Boiled Rice and six Chapattis were secured too, inclusive of course.  This is Bradford.

Mango Lassi

Marg took the opportunity to enjoy one of her other Curry House pleasures, a Mango Lassi.  Craig had a taste and more was ordered.  I suspect that this will be a recurring feature of Craig and Curry in the days to come.

The Complimentary Poppadoms and Dips kept us amused whilst the food was prepared.  The place had opened at Noon, there was already a dozen diners.

The Fish and Potato Krahi did everything it was meant to.  All the flavours of the wonderful Masala coupled with the fresh and light texture of the Fish and the accompanying Herbs awoke the palate.  The Coriander Stems were particularly outstanding.  The three fellow diners also were very positive about their respective choices.  Craig and Yvonne have never had Curry twelve hours apart, what has Hector created?

The Bill

£32.00.  Bradford Curry is simply not hard on the wallet.

The Aftermath

The long drive up the A65, M6 and M74 to Glasgow.

The Bradford Beerfest beckons in February…

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Bradford – Midnight at The International

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Hector

After an evening at The Fighting Cock, a taxi for eight was called for.  Seven of eight were heading for The International (40-42 Morley St, Bradford, BD 1BA).  Two taxis later courtesy of Holden Tours we were all in situ at the other great Bradford Curry outlet.  It had not taken much persuasion to secure Ricky’s presence for his second Curry of the evening.  Hector knew that he would be having two feasts today after the events of Hogmanay in Ulverston where some of the company claimed to be too stuffed to enjoy their Ale after an early evening feed.

For reasons offered by Ricky, late at night, midweek, a holiday (how many excuses is this?) Mein Host was only able to offer one Lamb dish on-the-bone – the Lamb Desi Methi.  Hector knows that this is outstanding and so was not perturbed, in fact this made life easy as I was busy reading back through my own Blog entries to find out my options.  Mags went for the same.  This dish can take up to twenty five minutes to prepare and comes in a standard or large portion.  Marg decided that a second Curry was excessive and so had a Coconut Kulfi.  Yvonne ordered a mainstream Lamb Madras, Robin and Craig both chose the Inter’s Special Biryani (Combination of lamb, chicken, prawns, cooked with basmati rice fried in oil with onions.)  Ricky decided to have a safe Keema straying from his current exploration of Offal dishes.

Ricky went for the Nan option, a pile of Chapattis for the three of us not having Rice was inclusive in the price of the dish.

The Poppadoms and Dips were on the table in a flash.  Mein Host put his hands on my shoulders and asked if I had completed the task that he has set me.  I have to try and find a source of beaten up old Minis.  So if any readers know where these can be sourced, please contact Hector.

The Biryani dishes were a hoot.  I have never seen so much Rice served to an individual.  I have never seen so much Rice in a Bradford Curry House.  The accompanying Masala had Chickpea too. The Chaps got tore in but were beaten before they began.  Yvonne marvelled at her Madras, the Spice level was precisely on the limit of her enjoyment.  The flavours therefore were therefore able to emerge and give the satisfaction craved.

Mags was no so happy, she found the Desi to be too hot, strange.  Hector marvelled once again at the quality of the Lamb Desi Methi.  This is everything Hector looks for in a Curry.  I was a bit worried that the palate may have been dulled after the splendours of the Sheesh Mahal earlier, but this was not the case.  Ricky did not have much to say for himself, for once.  Would he be joining Hector for a possible return to the International for lunch at Noon?  He sounded tempted.

The Bill

£50.00.  This sounds a very round figure but that is what it came to for five meals and one ice-cream.

The Aftermath

We made our farewells.  Mein Host by this time was enjoying the delights of his own restaurant. Now, what did he have?

Posted in International | 2 Comments

Bradford – Sheesh Mahal – The Sheesh Mahal has re-opened!

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Hector

The Sheesh Mahal (6 Saint Thomas’s Road, Bradford, BD1 2RW) re-opened exactly one week ago.  The Friends of Hector are in town, let the Hector have his Curry!

Arriving from New Year in Ulverston via an afternoon in Haworth, a night in Bradford was a necessity.  Hector could not possibly be this close to Bradford and not have Curry.  In September Marg and Hector found the Sheesh Mahal had been demolished.  In November the shell had been completed and the interior was due for fitting.  How they have rebuilt these premises to this standard is a mystery to this commentator who has watched The Village (Glasgow) still not open their new premises after nearly two years.  One has to admit, the rebuild was necessary, this was not the most attractive of venues, however the Curry was outstanding.

Would it be the same?

Jonathan, Marg and Hector left some of the company behind in Haigy’s.  There was a second Curry sitting planned for this evening, Hector would be attending both.  We now had Ricky, the great Bradford Curry Guru and his mate Mick in tow.  I was last to enter having had to take the ritual photos of the new exterior.  I did a double take with Omar, now sporting a beard. Omar recognised me; I was introduced to his Dad, Taj.

There is now a spacious upstairs; the café style has been maintained.  A metal spiral staircase separates the floors.  Perhaps this may separate the late night diners too.  The Sheesh Mahal now looks splendid, Marg was impressed.  The staff wear either shirts or polo shirts with the Sheesh Mahal logo.  I tried to buy a polo shirt.  I shall keep asking on every visit.  (XXL please!)

The Complimentary Poppadoms and Dips were already on the table when I sat down, more were brought.  Marg was given a menu, I was not.  My order had already been recited to me whilst chatting to Mein Host Jr.  Marg ordered a Kashmiri, Ricky is determined to try all of the strange additions to the menu.  I witnessed him dining on Sheep’s Brain last year, other parts of the anatomy appear to interest him currently, and they come in pairs.  Jonathan and ?Stan! ordered Keema Balti and Keema Masala and Mick ordered Chicken.

Seekh Kebabs were ordered by the other Chaps, Hector was keeping the appetite intact.

And so the food arrived. The Lamb on-the-bone, the Masala, the complexity of the flavours, the Sheesh Mahal serves the perfect Curry.  I could have sat and eaten this all night.

Marg enjoyed her selection.  It will be interesting to hear Jonathan’s choice of venue next time we are in Bradford.  Ricky admits to alternating between here and The International.  ?Stan! said nothing, but no doubt will be back in February – our next planned visit.

The Bill

£49.10.  For fifteen years or so the Sheesh Mahal has given CAMRA members a 10% discount.  Ricky negotiated the Discount, whilst Marg organised the Tip. We ended up back where we started.

The Aftermath

Once the Bill was sorted we were about to leave when we were asked to sit down again.  A platter of Dessert was presented.  Even Hector tasted a very sweet moist sample.

And so to The Fighting Cock.

Posted in Sheesh Mahal | 1 Comment