Curry-Heute

Well it was predictable, was it not?

It was still pouring down when Marg and Hector arrived for a late evening meal, in what I had promised would be – something special. Marg was unable to wear her brand new trainers, due to the underfoot conditions.  She is proud of the fact that she is one of the few people in the UK to actually have bought a pair of trainers this week. My conclusion on the first visit last week was that Marg would love this place.  Café Serena (328-340 Maxwell Road, Pollokshields, Glasgow, G41 1PJ) is a Curry Café with ambience, but the Café intimacy is not lost.  The music of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was playing at a moderate volume.

With a brisk takeaway business there is always activity at the counter.  Tonight our Chap was resplendent in head gear whose significance is lost on me.  Ramadan is coming to an end, I know this much.

More than just a Glasgow Curry Blog

The TV on the wall had the news channel, our Chap commented during our meal that he was appalled at what was happening down south, and had no understanding as to why.  Hector commented that there was never any chance of this nonsense occurring north of the border, Glasgow has a significant Asian community, the Afro-Caribbeans who appear to have been leading the disorder are not present in Scotland in any great number.  Those who are here tend to be better educated and typically involved with the NHS as was Hector’s first (Yoruba) wife.

There is an apocryphal story to explain this: Glasgow Corporation Transport advertised in London in the 1960s for workers.  There was a reading, writing and counting test; the Pakistanis were able to pass, the rest is history

Curry Matters

Unlike Yadgar, where Hector has been stuck on the same dish for over a year, I was determined to find something different.  Lamb and Spinach caught the eye, but there are two versions.  The Desi Karahi version on-the-bone was chosen over the – normal – version.  There was definitely telepathic communication between Marg and Hector, she subliminally opted for the Desi version of the Mince Mushroom Curry.  This had been recommended, not my style necessarily, but I note there is also Koftae Karahi – perhaps Dr Stan and Hector may have this for Dessert one day soon?

Two Chapattis and one portion of Special Fried Rice were the accompaniments.

The wait was not a long one, Lychee Rubicon was a new experience in the interim.   Marg sampled the Lassi, Poppadoms and Onion Chutney and Raita passed the time.  I have had fresher Poppadoms.

Behold the Curry!

Lamb and Spinach Desi KarahiGiven the rubbish that I was served in Belgium when I ordered a Lamb Spinach Curry, there was no fear that this would in any way be similar.  The Masala was excellent, truly impressive.  Once again I was left pondering as to how long the Lamb and the Masala had been in each other’s company.  The fresh Chapattis and the wonderful Vegetable Rice were perfection.

Mince Mushroom Curry

The Mince Mushroom overwhelmed Marg somewhat; she was only able to eat about half of the portion, too much Rice.  The Rice is that good!  This meant Hector was able to experience my third Café Serena Curry in a week.   The taste was a dry as Marg had described,  she loved it. There was more than a hint of Bradford’s Kashmir Restaurant about this dish.  There was a Doggy Bag.

The Chap Helping Out

Another Chap appeared from the kitchen to establish all was well.  I asked if he was the Chef, alas no.  He normally works in a Takeaway at Glasgow-Clydebank Boundary.  I did the double take.  This is Hector’s local takeaway shop; I tried it some twenty years ago and never returned.  Hold me back.

Our main Chap, I will establish a name on the next visit, of course recognised me since it was only a week since my last visit.  He comes across as a genuine guy who is eager to please.  One suspects that with him fronting the operation, the investment in the refurbishment will certainly pay off.

There is a table for eight with our name on it.  This is where Yvonne tells me that she has never heard of the place.

Harmony amongst the Bloggers

It was the Chaps at TATTGOC who made Hector aware of Café Serena (328-330 Maxwell Road, Glasgow, Scotland G41 1PJ).  Their experience has been limited to takeaways and mostly of the Tandoori variety.  Today Howard joined Hector to go and investigate the quality of the Curry proper.

Being Ramadan, the venue had opened slightly later so there was relief when the phone was answered just after 13.30 thus confirming they were open for business.  We were the first diners of the day.

I gather the place has been given a face lift in recent months.  The dining area sits twenty with a large table for eight which may prove useful if we return mob handed.  Throughout our visit the place appeared to be a two man operation, the Chap in the kitchen and the Chap out front dealing with the takeaways and ourselves.

The Lamb Karahi was available on-the-bone or off. No surprise then that we both chose the former.  A Special Rice, a Mushroom Rice and one Chapatti were the accompaniments.  We amused ourselves with some Rubicon Mango during the wait.  This fizzy, fruity drink is spreading around the Curry Café circuit.

We were treated to a freshly prepared Salad and Raita, so far so good.

The Curry arrived with very impressive looking Rice portions.  Visually this was already impressing.  The Special Rice had the Biryani look to it, coloured and lightly Spiced with a melange of Vegetables: Chick Peas, Onion, Peas, possibly Spring Onion too, and the smallest pieces of Capsicum.  The latter were not intrusive and so I have to give this the thumbs up. 

Lamb Karahi on-the-bone

The Karahi looked superb, the Masala was Onion rich and looked enticing.  A strip was torn off the very appealing Chapatti and the ritual dip revealed a Masala with a truly impressive flavour.  Gosh.

The Meat was an acceptable mixture of on-the-bone and off-the-bone.  My first sample was a piece of boneless Lamb.  It was decidedly Spicy as we had asked, but the flavour of the Masala was not there, just heat.  I tried a piece of Lamb on-the-bone, much better.

I could be wide of the mark, but I was left with the distinct feeling that two different pots had been sampled to create this dish.  This was a great pity, half of the Curry was superb, the other half not so.

The Chap came over half way through our feast to ensure all was well. I could only tell him – good – it could easily have been a – wonderful.

The Bill

£25.00   and this included four cans of Rubicon Mango.

Overall

This is certainly another welcomed addition to the Glasgow Curry Café scene. The Chap serving was most amenable and shook our hands as we left.  The décor is certainly a cut above the usual setting, a Café with ambience? The portions were more than adequate; a shared Rice would probably do most people. I shall return with Marg, I suspect she may love this place.