A New Yadgar Experience

Posted on September 4, 2011 by Hector

With Marg in Aberdeen on Hockey business, Hector was at large on the Southside for the third consecutive day.  Like last Sunday, Kofta was foremost in the mind.  This Post was intended to be Sheerin Palace, Part 2, alas the required dish was not available.  Yesterday’s Lamb was still on display, but the whole point of Curry is the vast range in styles and flavours so there is no need to eat the same thing everyday.  The Chicken dish was still there too but Hector does not seek Chicken, there must be different Lamb around the corner.

And so for only the third time, Hector entered Yadgar (148 Calder St, Govanhill, Glasgow, G42 7QP) unannounced.  Today’s Lamb dish was not obvious, I asked at the counter.  Lamb Karela?  Well, yes please was the obvious reply.

I took my usual seat about 17.00, there were other diners and on occasion the doorway was wedged with people ordering Take-Aways.  Shkoor appeared from the kitchen he had obviously been told I was in the house.  He was pleased that I had turned up to try something different.  I always said I would, today is the day.

I declined all offers of Salad, Starters etc.  I shall eat my Karela Gosht and two Chapattis and concentrate on what pleases me most: eating Curry.

Regular readers will know that Karela, the so called Bitter Melon, has featured quite a bit in the last couple of months.  This Vegetable gives Curry something different.  The New Karahi Palace is where I had my first Karela experience.  Karela was also the key ingredient in my last home-cooked creation.

The Chapattis and the Curry arrived.  Today I had something to dip.  Shkoor reappeared to check it was OK.  It is much better than OK.  It was not the best Curry served in Glasgow, that title must be given to the Goshat Karahi served on these premises.  This was very good, but not outstanding.  The Masala was dark and thick, not dissimilar to that served on Friday evening.  The Lamb was on-the-bone, great.   The two Chapattis were the perfect accompaniment.  The fork was never used.

Dessert? No way!

Shkoor is of the opinion that a main dish is a prelude to a great Dessert.  Hector would not mind if he never ate another Dessert.  Let the flavour of the Curry linger as long as possible.

The Bill

£7.50.  This included a Coke.  People were almost queueing out the door as I left.  One Chap had a large Take-Away which included the spectacular Goshat Karahi.  Next time.

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The Sheerin Palace, Part 1

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Hector

With Scotland doing their best to avoid embarrassment at Hampden Park, Hector entered The Sheerin Palace (300 Allison St, Glasgow, G42 8HQ) just a kilometre down the road from Mount Florida.  This Curry Café on the Southside was much quieter than the aforementioned arena, half the price of a ticket to the Footay, at least, and more certain to provide satisfaction.

 Three lads were waiting for their order as I sat down at the table I have occupied on my previous visits.  Another Chap was tucking into his dish and two Asians of the other type were finishing their meals.  The presence of the latter suggests that this place is certainly on the Glasgow Curry Map.

At the counter I asked for a description of what was on offer.  Lamb Curry with Potato, Kofta with Egg, Chicken with Spinach, Okra, Lentil and something else I couldn’t fathom were the choices.  I hadn’t clocked the Kofta Egg until my departure; my eyes were drawn to the Aloo Gosht automatically one assumes.

There was a platter of Rice with Chickpeas piled high on the counter, some of this looked appealing.

 It serves me right

 

Kenny Miller had just put Scotland ahead as my meal arrived.  This was most certainly the high point of the day.  The Rice portion was massive, two portions at least in any other outlet.  The Chickpeas made it interesting.  I came to realise that Rice was the wrong thing to have ordered.  The Chap opposite had just received an additional Chapatti for his meal; this is what Hector should have ordered.

The Lamb was presented in the classic 1960s style Masala, thin, red and oily.  If there was an Onion base, this was minimal.  Hector had nothing to dip.  The flavour of the Masala was therefore lost, totally.  As I spooned the Lamb and Masala on to my Rice the liquid was absorbed completely.  This enhanced the Rice that had been coated, alas with the sheer quantity of Rice on the plate this left a lot that was quite plain.

The Lamb was fine, not outstanding.  Worried that my taste buds were still not fully functional after yesterday’s Flu, I had ordered a bottle of Coke, this tasted normal.

The Bill

 £9.00  At this price one could almost afford to eat here every day.  The venue is cheap and cheerful, nothing flashy at all.  Note, Marg has never been.

Why Part 1?

Hector had chosen the blandest of meals from the selection on offer.  I cannot write a report on the Sheerin Palace and leave it like this.  The Sheerin Palace serves much better Curry than the one I had selected today.  I therefore resolve to return soon.  The Kofta Egg is calling, that is unless the Quails are back.

Posted in Sheerin Palace | 2 Comments

The Yadgar Cure-all…

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Hector

The bones were creaking, the throat throbbing, there was only one thing for it, a Curry-Heute!

Shkoor, Mein Host at Yadgar (148 Calder Street, Govanhill, Glasgow G42 7QP) was texted and the order set in place.  The Flu symptoms were not going defeat this commentator.   Hector would again dine alone, Dr Stan has been laid up with Flu-plus for the last ten days.   With boredom in place, he may even be reduced to reading about Curry, even this Blog.

I took my seat, there were three other diners at two tables, the Carry-Out business was in full flight.  Shkoor came out from the kitchen to give me his customary greeting.  I described my plight.  People don’t really expect anything but fine when they ask how one is.  Hector has never understood this ritual exchange.  I know someone who says fine – fine as he asks the question himself.  I digress; it must be the rising temperature.

The complementary Poppadoms, two of, with the chunkiest Onion Chutney on the planet were soon presented.  I was now worried about doing the meal justice.  Ten minutes later I would have welcomed my Curry, but suddenly another platter was set before me: Chick Peas, Chicken Pakora and a rather posh Side Salad.  The latter has certainly evolved into something attractive in the last year or so.

The remaining Poppadoms were removed, and Shkoor offered to make a Doggy Bag for this new feast.  I like Chick Peas when I do not prepare them, this was cool and refreshing.  The Chicken Pakora was blow your head off – hot!  Chicken in Batter, nothing else was evident, how did they do this?  I ate the lot.

Later than I had anticipated, the main even arrived: Lamb Karahi (on-the-bone), Vegetable Rice and a Chapatti.  How on earth could I eat all this now?

The Vegetable Rice is as always a treat in itself.  Potato, Peas, Mushroom mixed in with Rice that owes more to Biryani than Plain Basmati.  The Chapatti was exactly what a Chapatti should be, none of this Edinburgh rubbish.

The Curry

I have always meant to have something different at Yadgar.   I have never strayed away from the Goshat Karahi, but that is not what I ordered today.  This was different.  Was it because Mr Shah was not on the premises?  I know not, but this was not my usual fare.  The Meal was darker than the norm.  This could be a comparison based on the very red Curry I had last week in Clydebank.  The Masala was not the dry thick way I usually ask for, but I had not asked for that.  This was how I would like my Nahiree to be served. Perhaps this was not the best Curry I have ever been served at Yadgar, but it was different and it did have the underlying distinctive Yadgar flavour.  This Curry was still light years ahead of most Glasgow outlets.

Less than half the Chapatti remained at the end of the meal, a modicum of Rice and a pile of Bones.  Hector had been sated.

The Bill

I cannot disclose the Bill as I only know what I  paid, and this was nowhere near enough.

Shkoor is happy to have Hector come and eat his Curry, he knows it is loved and he knows that yet another web page will appear raving about the quality of the food served here.  Let us hope this symbiotic relationship will continue for many years.  We need a Yadgar t-shirt, I trust people have Googled the definition of  Yadgar?

Posted in Yadgar Kebab House | 4 Comments

Mother India’s Cafe – It must be a Sunday afternoon

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Hector

The Hockey season cannot be fully underway yet, Marg is free!  Butter Chicken at Mother India’s Café (1355 Argyle St, Glasgow, G3 8AD) remains her favourite Curry, anywhere.  Unbelievably it is February since we last indulged.

 

Marg also selected Coriander and Lime Trout to accompany her usual Lemon Rice.  Hector was hoping for the magnificent Kofta Palak, but again this was not on the Specials Menu, a great pity as I feel this should be on the regular Menu, it is that wonderful.  Fortunately the Lamb Massalum with Okra was on the Specials to accompany the mandatory Machi Masala and two Chapattis.

We had moments to notice the new décor, new wall coverings and padded seats along the walls.  Business must be good.  Some new black and white photos adorn the walls; I feel I know most of these Asian culinary celebrities.

The dishes started to appear: the Lamb Massalum arrived along with the Rice and the Butter Chicken.  Marg was straight in to her favourite dish.  She loves the richness of the Masala and the fact that the slight kick is not excessive.  She also regards the portion as perfect, more would be too much.  Her Fish dish came wrapped in foil, I was permitted a taste.  It was Trout with Coriander and Lime, it did exactly what it said on the tin (foil), and no more.

The Machi Masala is something else, the best Fish Curry outside of München? Today the Lamb Massalum did not hit the spot.  It was not Karrah!  There was no Salt evident, perhaps this was the after effect of the Fish dish, I have had much better here.

A third Chapatti had to be ordered to polish off the feast.

Hector is happy on the inside…

Café Latte

Marg enjoyed a well presented and hot coffee, in fact a couple came in and sat at the adjacent table and coffee was all they ordered.  Is something new underway?

The Bill

£30.55.  The Rice portion at £1.95 is excessive.  Nothing here is cheap, but one does not dine here every week.  A wonderful restaurant with a unique ambience and great service.  The food is usually outstanding.

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New Cafe Punjab, Hector’s Clydebank Local

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Hector

This must be the earliest ever Saturday Curry-Heute posting.  At 14.00 Hector is back home having had lunch at his preferred local Curry House, the New Café Punjab (26 Alexander St, Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, G81 1RZ).  This is very much a Mainstream Curry House, they are good at what they do.

 In my previous New Café Punjab posting back in June, 2010, I remarked at how rarely I visit these premises and that was a takeaway.  Today Hector went for the sit-in experience.  Mein Host remembered me, he knew exactly who I was and recalled my last order: South Indian Garlic Chilli.  I had to check my own Blog, he was right!

 I declined the Buffet which featured eight main dishes only one of which was Lamb (Bhuna).  I was handed what I presume was the lunchtime menu, I opened it, glanced quickly then put it aside.  On the window outside I had established that Lamb Karahi was on the menu, I have never ordered this dish in these premises.  This order was accepted along with Vegetable Rice.  I was offered Pakora as inclusive in the lunchtime deal, I declined.  I could not eat all that food.

 

There were a dozen diners all of whom were partaking of the Buffet.  At around £6.50 for the Buffet they were certainly receiving good value.  I suppose they like Chicken Curry.

 Lamb Karahi

 

The presented dishes looked smaller than the norm but they were filled.  The red colour was frightening, but this is the Clydebank way. The Rice looked fresh and featured Mushrooms, always a welcomed sight.  One stray piece of the dreaded Capsicum found its way on to the plate.

The Lamb portion proved to be just right.  One o’clock is early for Hector to eat.

 Gosh!

 Expecting what I have described as the Clydebank Curry Taste I was pleased to discover that this was a departure from the ubiquitous flavour that exists West of Glasgow.  The Masala was rich with some large pieces of Onion too.  The Salt content was perfection – Karrah! – thus bringing out all the other flavours.  The Lamb was astonishing.  This had a melt in the mouth texture, cooked to perfection.  Excellent is how I described the Lamb to Mein Host.

 The Bill

 £8.10.  The Sparkling Water was a can of Perrier, very posh.    I can see now why the place was doing so well; the locals can pop in here whilst out shopping.  Hopefully Hector will pop in again before another fourteen months have lapsed.

Posted in [New Cafe Punjab] | 2 Comments

Glasgow – Southern Spice – An Indian Curry

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Hector

With Dr Stan indisposed, Hector was very much the Lone Diner for this Curry-Heute.

The lights were on but nobody was  home when I entered the Southern Spice (325 Sauchiehall St., Glasgow, G2 3HW) shortly before 18.00.   Whilst perusing the menu, a Chap appeared from the basement.  Fish Chettinad was what I had in mind.  There was Lamb and Chicken versions mentioned in the menu but not Fish.  Under the banner of Seafood were the Fish dishes, strange.  The waiter pointed to two Fish dishes, I chose the one without the Coconut.

I balked at the price of the Vegetable Fried Rice, £5.25!  How on Earth could they justify this?  Anyway, I ordered this presumably Gold Plated Rice Bowl.  The Kerala Fish Curry was £10.45, but I was in the heart of the city and Fish Curry is more expensive than Lamb Curry these days.  Again something I find difficult to fathom.

I was wondering if there was anyone else in the building for quite a while until I heard a conversation from downstairs, so there was a Chef.

Kerala Fish CurryThe meal did not take too long to appear.  With the photographic ritual out of the way I tucked in.  The Masala was on the thin side, the Fish portion was certainly ample.  The Rice was enough for two people to eat, I knew from the start I could not eat this much Rice.  The Vegetable content was nothing special and the Rice itself was simply Turmeric stained, not the magnificent Biryani like creations served in the Curry Cafes across the river. A waste then.

 Hector fancied a changeSouth Indian Curry is markedly different from the normal Punjabi/Bangladeshi fayre served in this city.  There was a strong flavour of Black Pepper and the red Chillies were doing their aromatic best and adding more heat too.  One rapidly concluded that these are not really edible; the tough exterior does not lead to easy digestion.  The abundant Curry leaves also added their unique flavour to the dish.  This was thoroughly pleasant.

I ate alone, in silence.  Only after I had finished did the waiter approach me to ask if I had enjoyed the food.  I told him that Indian Mango in München is my yardstick for Fish Chettinad.  Nothing has ever come close to that, but I cannot make any negative statements about the quality of this Curry.

 The Bill

£17.25.  At least the Sparkling Water was priced within acceptable parameters (£1.55)  and so the hit was not as much as I feared.

The Aftermath

The lingering aftertaste was proof that I had eaten an above average Curry.

Update

At some point in the Covid era, Southern Spice closed.

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Spice Cube – Hector’s first ever Newcastle Curry

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Hector

Why Aye, Man!

When Craig and Yvonne announced that August 20 would be our first ever day trip to Newcastle there was a silent shout of joy. A long standing work related distraction this weekend would be no more, shame. Bier of course was the primary objective (cf Bier-Traveller), others were in charge of that. Hector’s remit was to fit in a Curry at some point.

It is on writing this report that I take real pleasure in what this Website and Blog aim to achieve, genuine and reliable information. Hector had done the research, no Curry Cafes in Newcastle were appearing within the city limits. The most promising location required another train journey, no chance. Surely Newcastle has something to offer? They all win awards, don’t they? Spice Cube (The Gate, Newgate Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5TG) was the most likely venue.

It was close to the station, allegedly. There was a buffet so nobody would go hungry. I had emailed them during the week to establish that the full menu would be available on a Saturday lunchtime. It was.

Mid afternoon

Hector was hoping to step off the train from Glasgow just before noon and march the troops for a Curry breakfast. This was not to be. HTC/Android maps were useless today. If I had chosen to go to South Shields all would have been well. Newcastle itself simply would not display on the phone. After some ten minutes the map acknowledged I was within the Newcastle area, accurate to 1600m. I still did not now where I was. The Forth Hotel opened just after noon and the best laid plans were put to rest. Two hours later we were all in need of food. Hector’s phone map had improved its resolution but was still not accurate as to where we were. Howard’s phone (same system) had us standing half way across a famous bridge. Tracey asked a local, ancient technology. We were now no more than a hundred metres to the shopping complex in which Hector believed the Curry House to be sited. Glasgow’s Xscape is quite a complex, this was along similar lines. Upstairs, opposite Nandos lies Spice Cube. Winner of Curry Chef 2010 (Newcastle and regional), and winner of the 2010 British Curry Awards, the place had pedigree. Hector has yet to win an award. We were seven, five ordered the Buffet. Craig, the Man, opted for a Lamb Tikka dish from the main menu.

Choo ChooThe Indian Railway Lamb Curry is what attracted me most to this venue.

As it unusual name suggests, this exquisite dish was prepared and served in only the 1st class sections of railway canteens and cabins in the days of the Raj. With the tenderest pieces of Lamb gently cooked with baby potatoes in a curry leaf, onion, and mustard seed gravy finished with yogurt, this truly is a dish fit for an Indian cuisine connoisseur.

One of Hector’s ambitions in life is to experience an Indian Railway Curry at Source!

Hector was determined to have the best Curry possible.

What is your best Lamb Curry? – I asked the Doris. She alerted me to The Indian Railway Lamb Curry! I enquired about the use of the word – gravy – she assured me that this was a dry Curry. I do not want Lamb swimming in Soup – I told her. Again she assured me this was not the case.  Doris even offered to exchange it if I was not happy. With five others already munching away at the Buffet Starters this appeasement was within acceptable parameters.

The Buffet Chicken was the only meat on offer. No Lamb Mince as the website had suggested. Those who indulged returned to the table with copious prawns/shrimps, always a good sign.  Those who had the Buffet did not complain at the time.

There were mutterings afterwards: nothing special, bland, very ordinary.  Did Howard and Tracey really order an extra dish of Chips and Cheese?  The food was clearly fresh. The Friends of Hector ate until satisfaction had been achieved.  Hector asks where was the listed Keema Curry?  Tracey squeezed in a Chai which she delighted in, momentarily.

No Bread was available in the Buffet. When the main courses arrived, two baskets of sliced Nan were presented. This was so late, the Buffet Diners thought it was not for them.  As was the case in the Verandah (Edinburgh) last Saturday, Hector believes the Chefs only cut their Bread into portions to mask the fact that not very much is their norm. The Nan Bread was far too sweet. Craig’s Lamb Tikka arrived first. No Rice, he had not asked for any, and a tiny pot of something wet was the accompaniment. He thoroughly enjoyed this. The Lamb was dry, virtually no Masala, the Bradford style, or even Crawley as Craig reminisced.

Then there was Hector’ Curry:

Am I back in Haarlem? –  was my immediate thought. A metal bowl of Lamb in a classic Tikka Masala type sauce was presented. No gravy? Aye right. This was  not what had been described. The Curry Leaves did provide respite. Onions? Where? This Masala was so thin the Onion must have been walked past the pot. The yogurt was decidedly overplayed. Indeed, had I ordered Chicken (sic) Tikka Masala, then this is exactly what I would have expected.  This was indeed Lamb swimming in Soup.  I was not sending it back, there was hunger.

Indian Railway Lamb Curry

Hector does consider himself to be something of an Indian cuisine connoisseur.  Hector has seen the travel programmes where the Chefs aboard train cook wonderful creations. That is authentic. What was set before Hector was basically a joke. The days of the Raj – the menu cited. Hector knows that the fabled Tikka Masala style sauce was invented at the Shish Mahal in Glasgow some forty years ago. The days of the Raj? – I doubt this very much. Hector’s Curry had a little kick, a modicum of flavour, was far too sweet, Coconut must have been included… Oh, they did warn the Curry might contain Nuts.

This is their best Curry? I came all the way to Newcastle to eat this?

The Bill

£72.00 with five people having the £8.00 Buffet. Does one tip at a Buffet when one serves oneself? We did.

The Aftermath

On our way to the next venue Neil emailed to say that Spice Cube looked the best bet for a Curry in Newcastle. Oh how the Internet can mislead, or is this indeed true? Hopefully, the good Chefs of Newcastle will be alerted. Our group will be back, the Bier was good. There must be somewhere on Tyneside where the Asians go to eat.

The Friends of Hector are keen to return to Newcastle but it will never be to Spice Cube.

Maybe it will be one these places?

Posted in The Spice Cube | 1 Comment

A Hug from Hassan!

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Hector

…and where is Dr Stan?

Hector texted Dr Stan mid-afternoon just in case he fancied a Curry-Heute. With the new term underway, time to restore the normal Friday rituals. The reply was a shocker: ‘Just had Kofta Pallak at Cafe Salma, on way home to sleep.’

And so Hector was once again The Lone Diner at Cafe Salma (523 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow, G3 7PQ) until a birthday party took over the adjacent window seats.

Hassan was amused that Dr Stan had been there earlier in the day, he knew I would be along soon.

The thought of Spinach had been firmly planted in Hector’s mind, Pallak Gosht (off-the-bone, medium, with a kick) and the excellent Garlic and Coriander Nan, for a change. The joy of Curry is that the array is vast, yet the root ingredients are standard.

Hassan sat with me for a while to chat and the Poppadoms and Onion Chutney were brought over. Two Poppadoms, on the house.

The Curry arrived before I had finished the second Poppadom, maybe just as well.

Tearing a strip off the Nan and dipping it into the thick black Masala is sheer joy. The salt content was high, the flavours blasted the palate.

A Rice appeared

No Rice had been mentioned but a plain Rice was set before me. Well, why not?

This meant defeat was certain, how could one person eat all this? One does not leave Cafe Salma hungry.

Perfect management

Hassan once again checked in at the table to establish all was well with the food. He has a new Chef in place this week who had his own ideas. Hassan was determined that the Curry would still be served to his specifications. In time they will establish what the new Chef has to offer that may be an addition to their range.

Buy one, get one free, with 32p change

The Bon-Accord was Hector’s planned destination, but a text from Robin diverted me to Hengler’s Circus where Jarl (Fyne Ales) was on sale at £1.49 a pint. Jarl was also on at the Bon-Accord where I met up with Dr Stan later.  Time for Edelstoff.

Posted in [Cafe Salma] | 2 Comments

Hector’s Karela Curry

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Hector

The vacation is over, reality bites.  Time for a Curry-Heute!

The fresh Karela (Bitter Melon) bought at the weekend was to be the new experimental ingredient.  Having removed the jaggy exterior, the seeds along the centre were prized out.  The sliced Karela was then salted and left whilst the Masala and Lamb were prepared as in the Recipes above.

This was a quick brew and after half an hour the Karela, Mushrooms and Potatoes were added.  To ascertain the impact of the Karela, no Coriander was included. The Lamb could certainly have done with a bit longer.

Different

Hector did not manage to replicate the bitterness experienced at the New Karahi Palace where this Vegetable was first consumed.  The flavour was decidedly different from my normal creations, certainly not sweet, but I thought very pleasant.  Marg was non-committal but came back for more.

I shall be repeating this experiment again.

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Bombay Duck

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Hector

Bombay Duck has been banned in the EU for some time.  Yesterday at KRK whilst replenishing the stocks it was spotted.  I was told this Dried Fish delicacy is brought in via Italy.  Who cares from where it comes, this is part of Hector’s diet that has been missing for years.  ‘Fry” it says on the packet, well that didn’t work.  Oven baking may create the crispy texture required.

It is never too early to eat Bombay Duck.

Hector also purchased his first ever Karela.  Having seen the so called Bittter Melon on the shelves and never having known what to do with it, this week’s Home Cooked Hector Curry will feature this very dry tasting Vegetable.  Mein Host at KRK gave me clear instructions on how to prepare it.

Hector is still on vacation!

Congratulations to The Tramp who was married this morning.

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