Amsterdam – Namaskar, the best Curry of this trip, so far

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Hector

Robin’s Random Ramblings took us past two Curry Houses within minutes of Amsterdam Centraal. The first was South Indian, the second, Indiaas Restaurant Namskar (Haarlemmerstraat 47, 1013EJ, Amsterdam) looked more interesting. Perhaps the suspicion of less coconut?

Hector left the Chaps at Arendsnest, one of the premier Bier Houses in Amsterdam, they had Bier on their mind, Hector had Curry-Heute.

The Lone Diner

Have I written this before? The place was well stowed when I had passed at 16.00. This had been a moments persuasion. The Lamb Chops Curry advertised in the window menu was the main feature.

At 18.00 I took my seat, the place was empty, but more arrived during my meal. The order was given. The complementary Poppadoms arrived, with dips. The red dip was sweet-ish but spicy, a new taste. As the Chef was not that busy it did not take too long for the Curry to arrive.

The Lamb Chops were piled high on a rather small steel dish. This was not scrawny Lamb, there was meat. The Masala was not a soup but a Onion rich presentation that wowed. Given the nonsense of the previous week, Hector was on his way.

The Lamb Chop Curry

I have written in previous entries how I had yet to come to terms with waiters telling me that Lamb Chops was the way ahead. Now maybe I am coming to terms with this. The Lamb is on-the-bone. Hopefully it has been marinated. On this occasion there was little evidence that the Lamb had met the Masala before the plate. This is in no way a criticism. There was a new flavour coming from the Lamb and the Onion rich Masala that was making Hector take note. This was no accident. There was a new ever so slightly sweet flavour emanating from the meal, this was thoroughly enjoyable. The Spice hit was not overwhelming, this was just thoroughly pleasant, yes, enjoyable.

Hector will certainly consider a return visit, this was an impressive Curry. Not an A List recommendation by any means, but certainly good enough.

The Bill

The Calling Card was dispensed as the cash was parted with. Oh, how this moment focuses the mind of the suppliers. The conversation got under way:

There are about thirty Indian restaurants in Amsterdam. About half are good. Those with Nepalese Chefs are not.

We discussed Belgium, Nepalese Chefs were to blame.

This concurs with what was stated in Brugge. Let this information be noted. If there is something political behind this I know not, I care not. Hector is out in search of perfect Curry-Heute.

Cook it and I will come.

Posted in Namaskar | Comments Off on Amsterdam – Namaskar, the best Curry of this trip, so far

Salt’n Pepper in Gent, a less than bog standard Curry

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Hector

This was Neil’s discovery in his wanderings around the area of Gent Sint Pieters, the main railway station. This in itself was a good omen.

On our return from the day trip to Antwerp which will have full coverage on Bier-Traveller.com, we entered Salt’n Pepper (Maria Hendrikaplen 38, 9000, Gent) just on 21.00. The restaurant was full except on table for seven in the corner covered in debris from the previous occupants. We were four. The table became ours and took some time to be cleared. This gave us time to work out that few people were eating, most were waiting for their main courses. The occasional Samosa was brought out, the wait would be a long one.

Much, much more than one Robin

We had to convince Robin that he had to choose between going or staying, he chose to stay.

Hector ordered a Bier! Keeping tabs on the progress of Glasgow Rangers v Malmo, and the slow but sure serving of the other diners, a glass of Kasteel Blond was the suitable accompaniment. Neil had the Brun. Howard had a cola, Robin some water, we were set.

*

*

The Order

Moghulai Kadai Gosht (hot) was sought by Howard and Hector. Robin ordered Lamb Biryani, and Neil the Bengal Fish. We were assured that Rice and Nan came with the meals. A couple of Poppadoms made an appearance along with a single Dip.

The Long Wait

By the time the meal arrived Rangers looked as though they were well out of the Champions League. A home defeat… The plates arrived just after 22.00, normally Robin would have been well gone.

The Kadai was advertised as – traditional Indian cooking. The staff all looked Indian, so they know what Curry is. Once again I find myself asking why they serve up this poor impersonation of Curry? It is surely as easy to present proper Indian food as it is to produce this bland nonsense. The Masala in the Kadai at least was Onion based, this had been pureed. The Lamb was fine but one felt had just been introduced to the Masala, not cooked in it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The colour was wrong, the taste was wrong: Sweet. The plain Pilau Rice and the lack of any Vegetable made this a rather uninteresting meal to eat, no diversity of texture or flavour. We had asked for it hot, a waste of time evidently. I felt the Nan was the best part of the meal, Robin thought it was the worst.

Robin’s Biryani came with plain Pilau Rice and the Lamb buried underneath. No Vegetables in the Rice, no side dish of Masala. Is this a Biryani? Robin stated that this was the worst Curry he has had for some time, and he cannot remember the last one this poor.

Howard had already accessed a social medium to air his feelings – dreadful.

Neil thought his Bengal Fish was quite good. We had a dip of his Masala and thankfully it was more appropriate. I did not think the Onion content of the Masala was credible, Neil may disagree.

We were hungry, it took us ten minutes to eat and leave.

The Bill

€77.00 There was no tip.

I gave the Calling Card to the waitress, the Chef appeared around the counter smart-ish to find out the progeny.

Update 2023

It should not come as a surprise that this place is closed.

Posted in [Salt'n Pepper] | 2 Comments

Brugge – Taj Mahal – A Brugge, Curry, at last!

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Hector

Today was the first day in Hector’s Hollandisch Hootenanny, a Brugge too far, when everything had actually gone like clockwork.

‘T Brugs Beertje was open, Daisy was back from vacation, the Chaps were in appreciative mode when Hector left them to try and secure a Brugge Curry.

Sitar was now a Pizza restaurant, along the same street.  The Indien Klassieke is now renamed the Taj Mahal (Philipstockstraat 6, 8000, Brugge) a venue which looked as if it was being refitted back in February when Marg and Hector last walked along this street. Hector had passed today earlier, the sign said open from 12.00 until 15.00. They weren’t.

This was the last chance saloon: I left Daisy’s at 20.30 and crossed the Maarkrt to the Taj Mahal. The door was open, the lights were out, there was some activity.

‘Are you open?’ Clearly they weren’t but this not deter a Hector in search of a Curry-Heute.

‘We are closed on Mondays.’

‘You are never open.’

‘I was here in February and you did not open all week.’ A slight exaggeration, I was there three nights.

The Chap mellowed: ‘I will cook you a Curry, what do you want?’

Lamb, Herbs, Coriander were all listed. This would be very much a case of take what one can get, it could not be worse than the Himalaya in Gent, surely?

There was much cleaning going on, I was told Monday was cleaning day. Two Poppadoms, the good ones, laced with Cumin were set before me. Two dips too.

This was a genuine Indian Curry House, staffed by Indians. There was hope. There was time to enquire – who was doing the cooking? – about what happened to their neighbours. Apparently their Chef trumped a Nepalese Chef, end of…

The Chef was not present, this was a Curry prepared by the new manager. If a Curry House cannot knock out some sort of Curry at short notice there must be something wrong. I was told later that this was the preparation for lunchtime tomorrow. Many Scots and English apparently frequent their premises.

The dim of the night

The Curry arrived. I sat, The Lone Diner in the semi darkness. The restaurant was closed, what is the opposite of a lock-in?

The Lamb was slightly tough, it could have done with another hour. The portion was not huge and no Vegetable was present as I would have preferred. Plain Rice was the accompaniment. Still, this Curry was the proverbial gift horse.

The Masala was splendid, the use of Onion was most evident, this was a Curry. The taste was not overwhelming, but it had some pedigree. A small bowl of fresh Green Chillies was put before me, a nice touch, I left one. It took no time to wolf down the meal. A Lamb Curry at last, one that I can remember for the best of reasons.

The Curry was genuine, it was prepared by the Manager in a restaurant that was actually closed. You do not make this up. Pity this Blog did not start some years ago and I could relate the tale of the Koln Curry House where the place was in fact being locked up and we still managed to sit in and eat Curry.

This is a Curry Hector will never forget. I express my thanks and appreciation to Ramanjot/Gurjit for the hospitality.

The Bill

€17 was the list price according to the lovely lady with the menu, €15 was taken.

I did not leave my card, it felt too threatening to do so at the time. I shall post one the old fashioned way soonest.

The train back to Gent was caught with two minutes to spare, a perfect day out.

A full description of the day, without Curry, is at Bier-Traveller.com

Posted in Taj Mahal / Indian Klassieke Curry's | 1 Comment

Gent – Himalaya – The Worst Curry Since Bamberg

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Hector

This restaurant is popular with the locals, they may never actually have eaten a genuine Curry.

Himalaya (Oudburg 1, 9000 Gent, Belgium) was one of the two Gent Curry Houses which Google Maps revealed, Raj being the other. Both are located along the canal bank opposite the world famous Waterhuis where The Friends of Hector had been royally welcomed by Jeff, the brewer at Steen Brugge. (cf Bier-Traveller.com)

When it was declared Curry Time, Neil and Le Frere Gerard found themselves sitting opposite Hector. The Lamb Kadai looked as though it would tick enough boxes: the thick sauce and the mention of herbs was tempered by the Green Chilly. What did they mean? In order to avoid the dreaded Capsicum I asked the waiter:

The Green Chilly, are they long, thin and spicy, or are they bell shaped shaped and sweet?

They are are red!

Try again

I established they were indeed Capsicum so I turned to the the Lamb Spinach. Palak Gosht, in Belgium? Neil ordered a Fish Curry, Lamb would have kept us prisoner all night with his chewing regime. Thoughtful. Le Frere Gerard had a Lamb Dansak, I think. These may have been the only two words I heard throughout, apart from – OK – at the end.

The Poppadoms

Three conical and minimal Poppadoms were issued. The dips were minimal too. Within minutes the Mains arrived. Once again I can only describe my own meal.

What is this that stands before me?

Palak Gosht

This is (normally) a dark Curry,  with a thick Masala, and challenging on the palate. Tonight Hector was presented with a yellow, thin Masala, bits of Lamb and some green stuff strewn over the top, maybe as an afterthought. I was less than impressed. Actually, I was appalled.

There was a hint of Spice to distinguish the dish from a plate of stew. The colour was horrendous. The Masala may never have met a Onion. The Spinach was a topping, this was not a Lamb-Spinach Curry.

Diabolical

Why do Chaps who know what Curry is serve this up to the good people of Europe? This is insulting the good name of Curry. Was there a Chef? Has he ever been trained in the art of pulping Onions? One has to despair. Such venues would not last a night in Glasgow.

A Post Apperitif

A liqueur which looked like Lassi came with – The Bill.

The Bill

€51.00  was the damage. For what?

Neil said his Fish Curry was  – OK –  the Dansak looked thin. My own meal was simply poor.

The Aftermath

I gave the Doris my Calling Card:

Tell the Chef not to commit suicide next week when he sees the revue of this Curry. This is the worst Curry I have had in ages. Actually, Bamberg to be precise.

You mean today? –  the waitress responded, no doubt looking at the Curry-Heute card.

Yes, today, now, here in Gent…

The restaurant was full. People eat this? I looked in at the Raj on the way back. All décor and atmosphere, few customers. Is this for the discerning diner? It will probably take another trip to Belgium to find out.

Posted in Himalaya | 1 Comment

Namur – Bombay – An improvement, just…

Posted on July 23, 2011 by Hector

The Bombay Indien Restaurant (Rue Rogier, Namur, Belgium) was the first Curry House The Friends of Hector located just around the corner from the Ibis Hotel (Rue de Lanciers). The prices advertised outside necessitated an audible groan from Hector, €17 for a Moutton Karahi, ouch. Despite trying the Taj Mahal first, I knew I would end up back here.

An afternoon spent on Le Chemin de Fer du Bocq, featuring a Train a Vapeur between Ciney and Spontin had put Hector in the hunger zone. The report on the Comptoir de Famille, the worst service we have ever received in a Belgian Cafe, should put Spontin clearly on the map. Hopefully all future search engines will come up with: ‘Comptoir de Famille, Chaussee de Dinant, 25, 5530, Spontin, Belgium, do not go! Bier-Traveller tells the story.

Arriving just on 17.30, Bombay was not open yet and so we went around another corner to the Thai Cafe (Rue Nameche) for a small Bier and copious amounts of Cheese covered in Celery Salt, superb. This could become a key cooking ingredient in Hector’s future culinary experiments.

Just after 18.00 we became the Bombay’s first customers. By the time we left I counted at least fifteen other diners, most tables were occupied. This place does well.

Le Frere Gerard ordered a Lamb Kashmiri which confused Hector slightly as it sounded the same as my usual. The waiter put me right when I asked for it – Hot. Sorry, it’s Moutton Karahi I want. Peter ordered a Lamb Madras, Dr Stan a Lamb Bhuna, and Neil a Chicken Bhuna. Chicken…

Various Rices were the accompaniments. Riz Frit was as close to my norm as I could find, a suitable number of vegetables should hopefully be contained therein.

Baskets of Demi-Poppadoms were presented with the normal Chutneys. The Mango was particularly satisfying. One dip must have been Balsamic Vinegar. It went everywhere but was a novel inclusion.

The meals were brought on a trolley, Hector’s was last to arrive. Sizzling hot on the Karahi it looked genuine enough. There was a very pleasant Spicy taste, nothing too distinctive but thoroughly pleasant. There was one fundamental thing wrong with it. They brought Hector a Chicken Curry!

Come back!

I drew the waiter’s attention to the blunder. He went away to check, ‘I did write down Moutton.’ he assured me and shook his head in the direction of the kitchen. He apologised. Indeed, I believe he apologised twice more. The waiter had previously told us that he is from the Punjab, India. He was well familiar with the Curry served in the cities of England but not Scotland.

The Chicken Karahi was more Stir-Fry than what would be served under this name in the UK. I enjoyed it, in spite of everything. Compared to the rival, this place is streets ahead.

Pour les Autres

Le Frere Gerard’s Kashmiri was as creamy as one would expect. I did not see much in the way of Fruit. The Brothers were reluctant to say anything about their meals other than that they were OK. Not literary minded then.

Dr Stan, enigmatic as ever had a Bhuna which looked very dry indeed. Neil’s Chicken equivalent did not look so impressive. There was enjoyment on their part. Blood and stone comes to mind.

L’addition

€102. It could have been worse given the prices advertised outside. We only had water in a deliberate attempt not to end up paying off the Belgian National Debt.

We were seen off the premises with a smile and a further apology. If one is in Namur and one needs a Curry, this has to be the place to go.

We retired to Le Chapitre (Place de Chapitre) and continued the main purpose of the trip…to discuss Steam Locomotives, not…

Posted in Bombay | 2 Comments

Namur, Belgium, a Curry at The Taj Mahal

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Hector

The Taj Mahal (Rue Godefroid 31, 5000, Namur, Belgium) was the second Curry House Hector encountered in his first hour in Namur. The prices here looked more reasonable. No doubt, by the end of the week, both shall be reported.

Hector sat as ever, The Lone Diner, or perhaps on this occasion The Last Man Standing. Another table were engaged in the process of ordering Curry-Heute, I surveyed the menu.

Fish Curry

The lovely waitress approached and soon realised that I had not just strayed in off the street, I was here to eat Curry. The menu was so bog standard I would have walked had this been a Curry House in Scotland. ‘We do not have Curries like England.’ I was supposedly assured. ‘I am from Scotland!’

Mein Host appeared, of African/Middle East origin I supposed, I was later assured he was Indien, aye right…

Again he repeated that I would not find the same Curry as in ‘England’. This is peculiar. The Menu was a clone of any high street Curry House from thirty years ago, the same old tired dishes. So, just how poor were these?

‘There is no Lamb.’ This was not a good thing to tell Hector, fortunately by this time I had focused on the Fish: No. 37 – Royal Bengal – ragout de poisson de moutarde, pommes de terre, citron, coriander fraiche. ‘I will cook you the Fish myself and give you Chapattis’ Mein Host assured me as he took the order. The lovely Doris was perhaps no more. ‘There will be a fifteen minute wait.’

I was given my normal Sparkling Water and a Poppadom. The latter was so stale I could not finish it. Plenty of time to make the above notes. The staff must have sensed something, they kept approaching me for assurance that all was well. The occasional clandestine photo and and intense note taking may worry them more at the end of this report.

The meal arrived, an elongated plate of Fish in the thinnest Masala I have seen….since Bamberg? There was no sign of the Potato, a slice of Lemon sat atop the presentation. Exactly how much Onion had been pulped to make the Masala?  The two ordered Chapattis had never seen a flame, how white can you serve a Chapatti?

The customary dip of the Chapatti into the Masala…. nothing. This was very poor indeed. Don’t ask me what Fish it was never mind the last tree in the boulevard. Hector knows Curry and this was at the poor end of the scale.

Another lovely lady asked if I was enjoying the meal. ‘I am eating.’ was as much as I could honourably give away. There was nothing wrong with the meal, it was freshly cooked, there was a sense of Spice. It just did not do anything to enhance the reputation of the Indian dish called Curry.

I of course ate the lot. I had the photo taken with the most obliging Doris. The staff were lovely.

I had hoped for a Curry.

The Bill

€24. The Fish itself was €16. So much for ‘I shall give you some Chapattis.’ This was way overpriced.  How much  was the Water?  Perhaps a reality check is required. If they know they are not serving the quality of Curry produced in the UK then this is an admission of inferiority. Why can the good people of Namur not be presented with what even the proprietor might recognise as Curry?

A description of the Non-Curry events of the day is at Bier-Traveller.com

Posted in Taj Mahal | Comments Off on Namur, Belgium, a Curry at The Taj Mahal

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.

Posted in [Punjabi Charing Cross] | Comments Off on Glasgow – Punjabi Charing X – North Street, next door to The Bon Accord

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?

Posted in [Heera / PJ's (Panjea/Madras Palace)] | Comments Off on Glasgow – The Lone Diner at The Madras Palace

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.

Posted in [Cafe Salma] | Comments Off on Berlin in the morning, Café Salma in the evening