Glasgow – Punjabi Charing X – North Street, next door to The Bon Accord

Posted on July 17, 2011 by Hector

Punjabi Charing X (157 – 159 North Street, Charing Cross, Glasgow, G3 7DA) may be immediately next door to the famous Bon Accord (still an Ale House?) and on the same block as the Café India was sited before another famous Glasgow fire, yet one has the feeling that the punters are not coming.

On Thursday after our return from Berlin, Marg and Hector were greeted by Hari resting in the cool evening air on the newly positioned – Taylor Bed – bench outside the Bon Accord.  He addressed me by name and pointed out that I had not set foot in his premises since the opening night.  Hector (&co) was the first paying customer.

Punjabi Charing Cross was my intended port of call on Friday but they had not yet opened.

Once the Bad Boys Club disbanded this evening, Hector knew that he could not possibly head towards the train station and not investigate the premises next door from the Bon Accord.   It is written.

The Lone Diner

Hari and co were sitting in the seats facing the door.  There was not a customer in the place. I  verified that I was welcome and sat in the seat beside Hari.  There was a brief discussion along Curry lines.  I was not offered a menu and none was asked for.  Hari already knew what Hector was going to be presented with, Hector had to wait to discover.

There was an intense sound of scraping and Curry preparation coming form the kitchen.  Hari’s head popped back – Do you want Rice? 

In Bradford I am used to eating Chapattis.  Why I thought this was the appropriate reply who knows, I was on Curry auto drive.  Bring me the best food possible, was going through my mind.

I had to ask

On Hari’s next appearance I had to ask what I was being served with: Lamb, Ginger, Lime, on-the-bone, you like a kick.  People must actually read this Blog.

Yesterday at Yadgar I marvelled at the smooth, roundness of flavour which laps over the tongue, this was something else.  The Citrus was to the fore.  Some of the Lamb was Lamb Chops, some of the Lamb was off-the-bone, the blend was perfect.

I probably would never have ordered this dish, had I ever seen a menu.  Is this on the menu ? How would Hector know, he has never seen a menu in two visits to the Punjabi.  The meat was perfect; the Masala was minimal and thick.  The Hector Curry.  Am I being set up?

The Bill

£12.30.  With a Sparking Water this was well within acceptable parameters, remember this is the edge of Town, and nearer Charing Cross is a venue which is well towards charging this as soon a one sits down and looks at the Poppadoms.

Once again, dear reader, I ask you to stop going to the same old tired Curry Houses and give somewhere else a try.  It doesn’t have to be here, but if you spot a table cloth – run!

Curry tastes better in houses without a table cloth, it also costs appreciably less.

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Yadgar! What do you mean you haven’t tried Yadgar?

Posted on July 16, 2011 by Hector

This the only Saturday available in July for a Glasgow meeting of The Friends of Hector.

With the two Yadgar dissidents preoccupied, Yadgar (148 Calder Street, Glasgow G42 7QP) was the obvious place for our mid Saturday afternoon Curry binge.  Rain and punctuality was a feature of the last grand outing, today the rain persisted but our time keeping was perfection.  As ever the order had been pre-arranged with Shkoor, the Man.

We know what we like

I see Quail is on the menu, when did I last look at a Yadgar menu?  The Lamb Goshat Karahi is by far the best Curry dish served in the city of Glasgow, not to have this would be self denial taken to extremes.  The preference is therefore on-the-bone or off. Only two of the seven assembled chose off-the-bone.  They do not know what they are missing because the on-the-bone versions packs even more flavour.  I had also asked for it to be hotter than average but not ridiculously hot, we still need to let the unique taste that is a Yadgar Curry shine through.

Some business first

Jonathan arrived laden with plastic bags.  Today is the official unveiling of the Hector’s Holländisch Hootenanny,  a Brugge to far… shirt.  Belgium and the Netherlands await our pleasure next week.

The ritual begins

Fizzy mango was tried by a few of us for the first time; Tracey sorted out her Peshawari Tea at the start.  The bowls of complementary Onion Chutney and piles of Popadoms were brought out as if this was the norm in all houses.  Shkoor checked that we were all ready for the main event; we were under starter’s orders…

Dr Stan and Hector, Howard and Tracey were sharing the full kilo Karahi, Mags, Jonathan and Mr Boyd had normal portions.  Two Parathas and two Chapattis had also been pre-ordered.  The wonderful Vegetable Rice, Mushroom Rice, Egg Rice and Plain Pilau also came with great efficiency.

There was a slight hiccup, Mr Boyd a late addition, was off-the-bone, the verification of the order had not picked this up.  Having waited a few minutes longer for his main dish, the Rice was replaced with a fresh plate.  This is service.

This is the part of every Blog entry when Hector’s book of words lets him down.  One cannot describe the Yadgar Curry experience, one has to come along and experience it for oneself.  In recent weeks I have had wonderful Curries in Bradford and Crawley, among the best I have ever tasted.  Yadgar has to sit proudly in the list of the top (IMHO) Curry venues in the country and definitely the best in the West of Scotland. (There are Curry Houses in the East?)

Sharing a kilo of Lamb on-the-bone is possible, just.  One reaches the end and the zone of comfort has begun to be stretched.  (It needs three people to share the off-the-bone version.)  Dr Stan and Hector were very good boys and finished the Karahi.  Howard and Tracey did not quite manage; a very lucky Hector took the doggy bag.  The three portion eaters polished off their sensible orders, Mr Boyd silenced and invisible.  A first?

The Bill

The printout said £96, paying individually no-one paid more than £12 a head.  The drinks had also been on the house.  One feels that The Friends of Hector have done very well in our visits to Yadgar over the last year or so.

Spontaneous applause

One feels the desire to line the staff up and clap as we make our exit.  They keep asking if they can do more.  Enough already. There is no room for Dessert, anyway the Biers are calling.

The aftermath

Our group of seven grew to a mob of thirteen at The Allison Arms.  The fridge was not excellent on our arrival, but the cellar eventually revealed its secrets.  For the last two years we have had Pyraser at Source, today the bottled version would suffice, eventually…

Posted in Yadgar Kebab House | 2 Comments

Glasgow – The Lone Diner at The Madras Palace

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Hector

‘Hello, Tom, you haven’t been here for a while…’

aaarrrggghhhh…..

I had to put the waiter right, he was doing his best.  What a mistake to make.

Making up for the lack of a balanced diet, Hector was out early today .   Walking down North St I noticed that the Madras Palace (15-17 Kent Rd, Charing x, Glasgow, G3 7EH) aka Panjea/PJ’s was open.  Good enough, in we go.

Having recovered from the unfortunate greeting I found myself choosing exactly the same dish as on my last visit: The Desi Lamb, with Mushroom Rice.  I asked for on-the-bone as was listed on the menu, but this was not available.  I was promised a Good Curry:

‘I’ll tell the Chef to make it good.’

The Rice portion was decidedly small for the £2.50 being charged, the Curry portion was bang on.

The Lamb was tender but there was the distinct feeling that this was presented out of the classic Lamb Pot.  There was nothing coming from the Lamb taste wise at all.  The Masala had the occasional hit but this Curry was sadly nothing special.

It was suggested that the next time I come I should phone in and they will ensure that Lamb Chops are available.  What was wrong with today?  Surely the menu should be available to all at all times?

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Berlin in the morning, Café Salma in the evening

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Hector

‘Are you going out for a Curry tonight?’ Andy, the taxi driver

A chance question posed by our driver between Glasgow Airport and Clydebank.  Little did Andy know how in depth the discussion would become.  It was great to meet another Curry enthusiast. Andy has been to most of Hector’s favourite Glasgow Curry Houses, one or two recommendations were given too.  Hopefully new discoveries may be passed back.

After The Other Place

The Kipling was destroyed by the assembled crowd.  The timing of Hector’s return to Glasgow was such that a pre-Bier Curry was not on; it would have to be post-Bier.  Mags was keen, and so we headed up to Cafe Salma (523 Sauchiehall St, Charing Cross, Glasgow, G3 7PQ).  No Hassan, so still no hug.  A  single complementary Popadom  arrived with the Chutneys, another was brought quickly when the first disappeared.  This was breakfast.

Mags ordered the Punjabi Karahi on-the-bone and Hector the Lahori Karahi (hot) also on-the-bone.  The latter of course has no Capsicum.  A Mushroom Rice and the wonderful Garlic and Coriander Nan were the Sides.

Without Hassan the venue does lack something, the gushing welcome is a feature of the visit.  The new staff  now recognise Hector, but we are not pals yet.

The Curries earlier in the week were most enjoyable, however there is always an air of anticipation when the steaming, sizzling,  hot Karahis are brought to the table.  Boy did we get torn in…

There was only a scrap of the large Nan left at the end, Mags took a minimalist doggy-bag, mostly Rice.  This was soooo good.

 

The best thing about going away is coming home.

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Berlin – Naveena Path

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Hector

The Naveena Path (Tegeler Straße 22, 13353 Berlin) is in what The Friends of Hector have come to call The Garden Suburb of Berlin. Others may refer to it as Wedding. It was last year when Hector was determined to discover more Deutsche Curry Houses worthy of this Blog that the Naveena Path bubbled up. That it was literally 30m from the Pension Regina Braun where we have stayed the last two summers for the Berlin Bier Mile, was a major irony. We left the accommodation to the left, the Naveena Path is to the right. Had the Hausbrauerei Eschenbräu been open earlier in the day we would have discovered this. Last year Hector had to settle for a superb Sunday brunch at the adjacent Schade, the Naveena Path was never open at a suitable Curry time.

There is no truth to the rumour that Hector planned his route home from Greece just to have Curry at the Naveena Path and Bier at Eschenbräu (Triftstraße 67, 13353 Berlin-Wedding). Once the route was decided, this of course was the plan.

We played at being tourists for a while, the rain eventually drove us underground. The U Bahn took us out to the Garden Suburb. Tegeler Strasse is a five minute walk from both Wedding stations. The Naveena Path was open, we were the first customers, and no others joined us.

A Chap greeted us and issued the menus. A lady was evident in the background.

This is very much a South Indian/Sri Lankan set up. The menu was quite limited. Hector was tempted to go for a Fish dish, but Lamm as usual won out.

Marg likes her Butter Chicken or Chicken Dahiwala as it is called here. Hector, ever mindful of Curry with no distractions went for the Mutton Subji Lamb with various Vegetables in an Indian Sauce. I asked for it to be Scharf.

Rice is included as is the style in Germany. We ordered two Chapattis and an Onion Baji to share.

The cooking was done in an area immediately before us. The Onion Baji turned out to Onion Rings served with a small Salad and a spicy sauce. These were devoured. It had taken us much less time to eat the food than it had taken for the couple to prepare and serve it.

Sri Lankan Delight

Hector recognised Marg’s Curry as that served up during up seventeen days in Sri Lanka in 1993. The Masala was creamy, thin and there was plenty of it. As ever I dipped a bit of Chapatti into my own Masala, very good was my instant judgement. The Lamb dish worked because of the array of included Vegetables: Courgette, Peas, Eggplant, Cauliflower. And add to this more Rice than two could eat, and one could tell they were out to feed us.

This was a thoroughly pleasant Lamb dish, however Marg started to become exuberant about her Chicken Dish. She has stated that we are definitely coming back to the Naveena Path. This is quite an endorsement from  Marg.

Hector will definitely have a Fish dish next time.

The Bill

€27, one can have no complaints over this. We turned down complementary teas.

The calling card again did its trick. We had quite a discussion after the meal about the make up of the Curry Houses in Glasgow. Maybe there is room for a Sri Lankan style outlet.

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An Athena Curry House – The Dhaka Palace

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Hector

Unlucky Thirteen – or Anything for a Curry

It was a fifteen minute walk in the  darkening dusk from the main Athens Police Station, located behind the Presidential Palace, to Geraniou St, off Omonia. On the way we passed the police/militia held in reserve just off Syntagma Square where the hordes were assembling for another evening of political demonstration. Geraniou St was in near darkness by the time we reached it. Chaps of different ethnic backgrounds were already blocking parts of the street. On our last visit to the Dhaka Palace (26 Geraniou St, 10552, Athens) four years ago, we had to make a forty five minute detour to get back to the Plaka and a zone for comfort. This evening Hector was ready to take on all comers after the events of the tram journey from Glyfada up to Athens.  Thirteen days without Curry-Heute.

The Dhaka Palace is not located in a nice part of town, if the Curry was as good as last time, then the risk was within acceptable parameters. What else could go wrong, Hector had been pick pocketed and lost all means of mobile communication and photographic recording of the evening’s events. It was now all down to Marg.

As before, we were ushered straight through to the back. A tall, and much welcomed, bottle of cold mineral water was presented along with the menus. One side of each page was in Greek, the other in a more familiar language – that of Curry.

Still slightly on edge, Hector thought a Bier might be justified. Paulaner was on the list but was more mythical than the local brew. I decided that the standard fizzy water, or Club Soda, would suffice.

We both ordered the Lamb Karahi, ever a creature of habit, I could have been reading off the very same menu as four years prior. Then the Pound was worth something, Greece is no longer a cheap place to visit. Austerity – when does this begin?

A Special Fried Rice looked the best choice for Sides. Although not listed on the menu we negotiated two Chapattis. All set then, our usual order.

The Full Robin

We did have to wait quite some time. I am always happy to do so when the end result reflects the level of input. The Rice arrived first – a very different presentation than the norm. Sliced Tomatoes made an interesting adornment, Green Beans and Peas were present too. Was this one portion or two? Either way there was much more than the two of us would ever manage.

The Curry came moments later, two delightful bowls containing Lamb, some of which turned out to be on-the-bone and a somewhat oily looking Masala. Two very large and fresh looking Chapattis appeared and were quickly dipped into the Masala – oh yes! Has it really been thirteen nights since I last tasted the king of all foods? This was truly superb, the old fashioned Curry taste I have referred to on many occasions.

As well as the obvious, there were tiny pieces of bone in the Masala, one had to be careful. The Lamb was maybe not have been the best of quality, but the quantity and taste ensure that this venue remains highly regarded by Hector.

The Bill

The best €31 I have spent this summer.

In exchange for my calling card, mein host gave me a couple of brochures. I hope he takes time to look up this review.

The streets were much quieter when we departed, maybe the crowd had gone down to Syntagma Square to join the other demonstrators.

We shall be back in February. Athens in winter, hopefully less stressful than today.

Posted in Curry Palace / Dhaka Palace | 2 Comments

Ten days without Curry

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Hector

Hector has been in self inflicted purgatory, of sorts.  It was only fair after the indulgences at the end of June.  Somehow, one feels the waistline has taken an ever expanding course after the wonderful experience that is Greek Cuisine.

The standout venue has been the Family Restaurant at Kamari, Santorini.  More Photos and accolades will appear, amongst a plethora of pictures of superb dishes which I tasted and the world can salivate at.

Seriously, Jamie is…

The joy of the trip, apart from shaking off Olive and Maggie was the discovery, by instinct, of the best venue in Syros.  There we met Jamie from Campbletown, an export from the Scottish shipyard expertise of years gone by.  The reader will not believe the introduction, he introduces himself as The Man from Delmonte…

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The Downsman, Crawley – we are going to a pub for a Curry?

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Hector

The Final Curry ?   … for a while at least…

Crawley may not be on most people’s mind map as being a great location for Curry-Heute – read on.

En route to far flung places, Hector and Marg have enjoyed the hospitality of Lord and Lady Clive of Crawley. Unfortunately, Maggie was away on business so Hector summoned Debs, another long standing Crawley fellow traveller, to join us for the evening’s festivities.

It is Monday, The Ram Sports and Social Club is closed on a Monday. This has been the source of the most outstanding Crawley Curry that Hector has been let in on. Lord Clive had spoken about The Downsman (Wakehurst Drive, Southgate, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 6DH) for some time. It is closest to his home but not his local, only three ales on tap.

But!

The Chef from the Ram Sports and Social Club has been in situ for some time. Jonathan and Dr Stan were treated to a visit earlier this year – they were impressed. Tonight it would be Hector’s turn.

On the visit to the Ram Sports and Social Club it had been written that Hector would have their famous Lamb Tikka Starter in double quantity as their main course. Only the equivalent served in Glasgow’s Khyber Restaurant has come close. That evening Craig had the Chicken Methi, Hector was permitted a taste, it impressed greatly. Tonight the plan was to order as close as…

The waiter assured me that the Hasani Lamb was their signature Lamb Starter, Lamb Tikka was also available. Debs suggested Vegetable Samosas too. An extra Samosa was provided to accommodate the fact that we were four diners. Now why is this not the norm?

The main menu was not huge, Chefs Specialities was the description for all that followed the Starters. Maybe all the dishes are that Special.

The order did sound bizarre

Debs used her local knowledge to order the Chicken Tariwala: served in the traditional style. ‘What tradition?’ I thought, I was assured it was that of an Indian village. They can afford Chicken? Marg, who has been to India, assures me that the Chickens there tend to be scrawny beasts with little flesh.

Marg chose the Keema Mutter, now I wonder where that notion came from? (cf seven days ago.) Lord Clive went for the Lamb Banjara. This featured the dreaded Capsicum so this was certainly one dish Hector would not be interested in. Finally, it should be no surprise that I went for the Lamb Methi. All of the Lamb dishes were listed as off-the-bone, I wonder if they ever do present an on-the-bone dish.

Shesto Rice? This is a new term, again one’s Punjabi is better than one’s Urdu so an enquiry was made. Peas, Onion and Capsicum… it was agreed that it was possible to have it without…

One Mushroom Rice and one Pilau plus two Tandoori Roti completed the set, just as Nadal dropped one.

A sizzler

The Hasani Lamb arrived on a bed of Onion and various Capsicum. These were divvied between the four of us. The Lamb was magnificent, as befits such a creation, the temptation would be to eat this all night. Let me point out that I did have some of the Capsicum –I do like Capsicum, presented like this – but not in Curry. I wasn’t too bothered about the Samosas and therefore had half a share of the remaining one. Fine.

Behold The Curry


For once I only had a taste of my own Curry. Debs loved her Chicken, Clive thought his Lamb was excellent. Marg enjoyed her Keema Mutter but was overwhelmed by the portion. This may be a common feature oop north, but in the London area this is bloody marvellous. London portions – not!

Hector’s Lamb Methi – Karrha!

Dipping the Roti into the Masala is my normal starting strategy. Impressive. Spooning the Rice and Vegetables on to the plate and covering it with the Lamb, the sense of anticipation was rising. Gosh! The Masala was grey-ish. Clearly it was thick with yogurt. The salt content was abundant, Karrha! The Lamb was once again very tender. The combination of everything on the palate was sheer perfection. I came to the conclusion that this was one of the best Curries I had ever eaten, and most certainly the best Lamb Methi – by far!

I was a Happy Old Hector. Where is the Chef? I must meet him…congratulations must be issued. A pub, in Crawley, serving this standard of Curry? Who would believe it?

The Bill

£45.00 between four. This included a £6.95 Starter, the drinks had been paid for separately.

This venue has to go straight on to the Recommendations List, The Friends of Hector can certainly confirm the worthiness of this decision. They stop serving about 22.00, the exact time Hector expects to arrive in Crawley in November. I hope the reader can sense that I am already itching for a return visit.

Now what…

And so we reach the end of what has been an outrageous Curry-Woche. Greek ATC permitting the summer vacation shall reach foreign shores tomorrow. No more Curry for possibly two weeks. An Athens venue does await that impressed four years ago, we shall see. Meanwhile I shall probably be tempted to comment on the quality of Greek traditional dishes. – Stifados can be as rewarding as a mainstream Curry.

Posted in The Downsman Indian Restaurant (Curry Club) | 3 Comments

Bradford’s International Restaurant, Curry Extravaganza #3

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Hector

Marg was playing Hockey in Sheffield, this is how Hector came to be let loose with Mr Holden in Bradford over the weekend. The Scottish Veterans beat the Home Countries to retain the trophy. Marg was in good spirits but was aching. A team-mate had not fared so well and had to be driven home by a husband who had made a mad dash, well he took train(s) down to drive his car and lady back to Scotland. This left Marg with three refugees needing a lift.

And so Hector entered The International at 17.00 accompanied by four victorious ladies. The Head Waiter from last night was straight over to greet Hector. ‘I have brought my wives.’ The Man, sat in the corner, ironically watching hockey on tv also now acknowledged me. If only I could be here more often.

Why order a Glasgow Curry? This is Bradford.

The ‘Wives’ may or may not have been in the mood for Curry-Heute, Hector was driving back to Glasgow, a fate accomplit. Sharon ordered Chicken Tikka Masala. People do actually eat this. Maureen had a Chicken Tikka variant, and Ellen – a Chicken Dansac. Chicken, no further comment required. Marg was not in the mood for a full meal having given in to a Chicken Burger back in Sheffield – is the dutiful wife loosing the plot? She decided a couple of Starters would be preferable: Chicken Wings and Vegetable Pakora. What a mistake to make.

Hector was on a mission: the Meat Krahi Karela enjoyed so much by Mr. Holden last night had to be the dish of the day. Two more Tandoori Roti would again be the perfect accompaniment. Various Boiled Rice and Nans were sought by the ladies.

Five go eating

The Complementary Poppadoms and Chutneys had not been totally devoured.

Marg’s Starters arrived: a plate piled high with Chicken Wings and the largest pieces of Vegetable Pakora ever seen. Ha! Hector can make no comment on the meals served to my other wives today. They claimed they enjoyed their meals, nobody managed to scrape their plate clean. Chicken.

Meat the Krahi

The Lamb was off-the-bone. The texture was perfect, the taste was, well, one had to be there. The reader must realise by now that Hector could identify a Bradford Curry blindfolded – if that were to make a difference. However, with the aid of his visual acuity, Hector was able to note that there were visible pieces of a Green Vegetable, the Karela. At the New Karahi Palace (Glasgow) the Karela is usually mixed through and is not that easy to identify. I am learning all the time. The bitterness was not extreme at all. Indeed, one wonders how sweet the dish would have been without the Karela.

The Bill

£34.50 between five. Why pay for a tablecloth? The best of Curry at the best of prices.

Posted in International | 1 Comment

Bradford’s International Restaurant, Curry Extravaganza #2

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Hector

After a splendid tour of North West Yorkshire which featured first visits to Sowerby Bridge, Todmorden (where an angry proprietor took issue to the ritual sharing of a Black-pudding Pie, cf Bier-Traveller.com), and Hebden Bridge; we returned to Bradford in good spirit with a bus which dropped us off in Morley St, home of some of Bradford’s finest Curry Houses.

The International (40-42 Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1BA) has only featured in the Curry-Heute Blog prior to this as the supplier of a takeaway. They do not open early, so Kashmir has usually been the recipient of The Funds of Hector. The place was stowed, I have never been here this late before, it was excellent to see so many enjoying what Mr Holden has for years insisted is the provider of the best Curry in Bradford. Hector has been eating here for many years, but the frequency of the visits would be double if they opened at lunchtime.

The laminated menu has two sides, easy to miss. The Lamb Desi was right in the middle, available in two portion sizes. I chose the more modest portion at £9.00, this includes choice of Nan, or Boiled Pilau or two Tandoori Roti, I selected the latter. Mr Holden managed to find a sneaky Meat Krahi Karela. Now Hector has only recently been enjoying the delight that is the bitter vegetable – Karela. Here is the great Curry Guru of Bradford on the same Stairway to Heaven.

Given how busy the restaurant was, the wait was not too long at all. The Rotis were impressive, they had the dimensions of a generous Nan, and were the classic tear drop shape. The Lamb Desi was everything I hoped for: Tomatoes, Onion, Garlic, Ginger and NO Capsicum!

Was this better than the Sheesh Mahal? Does it matter? The fact that this venue has served consistently stunning Curry over the years without skimping on quantity, or being too greedy with the pricing structure, is something a couple of Glasgow establishments could do well to consider.  Mr Bashir, who oversees the operation was happy to pose with Hector. Who on Earth? He possibly thought…

 

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