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.

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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.

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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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Bradford – Sheesh Mahal – Curry Extravaganza #1

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Hector

Marg: ‘Don’t book the summer holiday right at the end of term, I need time to get organised.’

A month ago Marg realised she could squeeze in an International Vets Hockey tournament this very weekend. The tie was put in the drawer, instead of going out with the Colleagues for Mahogany (Teachers’ New Year), we found ourselves speeding down the M74 and M6 in the direction of Yorkshire. I was there last week…

Having been dropped at Brighouse for the rendezvous with Mr Holden, the Richard Oastler was once again a too fleeting visit before the much mentioned Haigys which has the advantage of being around the corner from the Sheesh Mahal, Bradford’s #1 recommended curry house (6 St Thomas Road, Bradford BD1 2RW). At Mr Holden’s insistence his friend Eamon had been dragged into the ritual.

Omar, my man, was there to greet me. Mr Daft, a co-diner on my second visit, was also sitting at the rear of the room.

We took our seats. Omar showed me a menu then removed it – he assured me that he would be taking care of me.

‘Lamb, dry, on-the-bone with Herbs – he remembered the order exactly since my last visit in February. Eamon had the traditional Chicken Tikka Masala (really!), Mr Holden was tempted finally to order the Sheep’s Brains having resisted in recent visits. Various Breads were negotiated, all inclusive as is the Bradford way. The Sheesh Mahal even gives a discount for CAMRA members. Surely we should pay something towards the meal?

The Chaps had Starters, Sheesh Kebab and something Green and Brown, Hector was maintaining his appetite for what was to come.

I can make no comment about Eamon Dull’s Dish, is this a Curry Lover? Mr Holden’s Brains looked Offal, he was not put off and got stuck in. There will now be a gap in the report.

Once he had recovered, Mr Holden completed his meal and appeared to have enjoyed it.

Omar’s Special #2

Omar told me there was a hint of Spinach in my meal this evening, no doubt an attempt to increase the Herb content. The Lamb on-the-bone was part Lamb Chop, and half not. Hector was soon in Hog Heaven, dipping the Bread, sucking the bones, marvelling at the taste which is simply Bradford. Hector could live here very easily.

 

The Bill

£7.50 per head, for as good a Curry-Heute, sorry, for one of the best Curry-Heute.

The Aftermath

The ritual photographs included an introduction to Taj, the owner.

 

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Let me entertain you…

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Hector

Dom was not present, he was at Hampden Park; the rest of his cohort were being fed and watered in Clydebank.

An appreciative gathering scoffed the Chicken Curry, the mountain of Lamb Curry  in Hector’s current bitter and dry style was consumed in far greater quanttiies than anticpitated. There was only a smattering left for Robin’s doorstep tomorrow.

A sucessful night, or the truth will  out.

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One Up – a choice of two Dumbarton venues

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Hector

This evening Marg and Hector were entertaining Kirsty who sadly will not be a regular part of lives at the end of this week, ah industrial relations…

A Helensburgh Curry-Heute would have been an obvious selection but the keen reporter has not had the opportunity of visiting a Dumbarton Curry house in the past year or so.

Having only been to One Up (61 High Street, Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire, G82 1LS) some years ago, or this location at least,  Hector was open minded and hopeful.  There were fewer than five people dining in what is quite a large upstairs, surprise surprise, room.

The waiter brought us Complimentary Onion Chutney and Poppadoms (the menu said these could have been £2.95).

A Haggis Pakora was the solitary Starter.  This is always enjoyable but really, is it more than just Haggis in Batter?

The menu had an extensive list of House Specialties, but it was the Chefs Signature Dishes which caught my eye. Lamb, just Lamb?    The description gave the choice more credence: ‘On the bone slowly cooked with Punjabi spices.  An authentic dish enjoyed by our staff.’  So says the takeaway menu though I thought the House menu said ‘enjoyed by our ma’.  The menu advised ‘when available’ the waiter was not sure if it was.  He did mention Lamb Chops.  I took the risk.

Marg opted for the Special Karahi Bhoona in Lamb and Kirsty the South Indian Garlic Chilli Chicken.  Chicken.  One Chapatti, one Aloo Paratha, one Pilau Rice and a Mushroom Pilau Rice were our accompaniments.

The meals were brought in large black Karahis and the contents were sizzling.  This always impresses but what about the taste?  I cannot say that there was anything distinctive about my Lamb dish at all.  It was competently cooked but there was absolutely nothing to become excited about.  The portion of Lamb Chops was ample and the meat tender.  One kept hoping that a flavour of note would reveal itself, alas, not.  Kirsty’s dish will forever remain a mystery; Marg always leaves me some…

It was just as well that I did not sample Marg’s earlier, gosh it was poor, actually, unpleasant.

‘It was OK.’ was my reply to the waiter when he took away the debris.  Indeed, it was.

The Bill

£40 felt somewhat steep at the time.  The mains cost around the seven to eight pounds mark.  Only one bottle of a brand of beer (note spelling) that I would never promote was consumed.

I have had better, I have had cheaper.

Update:

One Up is no more – Bollywood Lounge – is the new branding, new management.

Posted in [One Up] | 1 Comment

Keema Mutter – Curry Lessons

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Hector

Last year it was A beginner’s Chicken Curry.  This year it had to be something different but still straightforward.  Mince and Peas, how common is that?  Call it Keema Mutter and it becomes exotic.

The challenge was to teach the methods, familiarise The Charges with the ingredients and prepare six pots between eight people in 100 minutes.

The ingredients were all purchased freshly yesterday at KRK (Woodlands Rd, Glasgow).  The Onions were the biggest I had ever seen, I had to have them.  Eight separate bags of (Halal) Lamb Mince were prepared. The Chap at KRK even helped me out to the car.

Chop Chop


Eight people chopping the largest Onions, tears were inevitable. We had a mountain of Onions spread around the room, but from here lies to the route to the perfect Masala.  There was much loving of the Onions as the various pots were attended to.

Somebody lost some Mince, I know not how.  There was a debate as to whether two Green Chillies was enough or excessive.  ‘How do you make a Korma’  Maybe next year.

It is strange to see the same ingredients go on to the same cooker or six rings and the results came out so varyingly. Hector limited his tasting to three of the six pots, Chris’ had the edge.

With more time we could have reduced the liquid to make a thicker Masala, but when the bell rings…

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