The Delicious and Infamous Pakistani Café Comes West!

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Hector

Their words, not mine…

Last weekend Dr Stan and Hector observed the finishing touches being made to the relocated Pakistani Café (2 Byres Rd, Partick X, Glasgow, G11 5JY).  Assuming it would be open by this evening, we resolved to have our Friday night Curry-Heute in this welcome addition to the Glasgow Curry Café scene.

With pillars and a raised mezzanine the layout of the Pakistani Café is quite attractive.  What was left over from the previous incarnation as a bar I know not. A comfortable table for two was a difficult choice, we settled for a table for four at the window.  We had been offered upstairs where the only other customers were located.  From our perspective they appeared to be sitting on cushions.  Fearing we might not be able to stand up again we stayed where we had selected.  A large table had church pews.  There was an interesting array of tables and hidden locations.

Not much is happening on the Bier Today front, and even less on the imminent (?) Bier Traveller so if the Bier does not get mentioned here the highlight of the evening will be lost. There is Bier at the Pakistani Café, bier worth mentioning.

Hector spotted three taps at the far side of the bar.  Krusovice and Weihenstephan  were easily identifiable, but what was the furthest?  I went up to the bar for a closer look and saw a pink elephant: Delerium!  On draught, in Glasgow – gosh!  Hector texted the remaining chaps who instantly thought I was away, Belfast had been planned for this weekend after all.

Eventually the waiter appeared and took my drink order.  Dr Stan was ignored.  The waiter was called back.  The Bier was brought, what way to start a weekend.  This place could be a hit.

 Delerium Tremens, on draught

More time passed before the waiter thought we might be ready to order.  How long did he think it would take us to read four sheets of A4 on a clipboard?  The dishes were available as Tapas portions or full size.  Hector thought the Fish Masala half portion followed by the Mutton Curry would be a sufficient feast.  Dr Stan found Black Chick-Pea Bertoli Bean Stew and had to have it.  He also chose the Mutton Curry.  Two Vegetable Rice were the sundries.

The Mutton Curry was described as being cooked for four hours until it was as tender as Lamb.  We would see, or maybe not.  The waiter came back to ask if we wished Rice or Nan with our Starters as we had effectively ordered two sets of Curries.  Chapattis was my reply.

A minute passed

…followed quickly by another minute, when suddenly another minute passed.  Then another minute which seemed and age but was only minute, passed.  Initially we were entertained by what had to be a Keith Jarrett CD, solo piano, excellent.  The quality of the tracks disintegrated somewhat, the waitress could not confirm what the CD was; she was going up and downstairs with a stream of drinks and starters.  Our starters arrived.  A solitary Chapatti.

The Fish Masala was ok, that is about as much as I can say about it.  The mind of Hector was imagining the excellent Fish Masala currently being served five minutes along Dumbarton Rd at the Mother India Café.  Dr Stan’s Black Chick-Pea Bertoli Bean Stew was served in a very small bowl.  It looked like a plate of Beans to Hector who was instantly relived that he had the Fish.

There was time to reflect

This is the first time Hector has been on these premises since the mid 1970s when the Bank of Scotland occupied the site.  Working in the legendary Wilson’s Bar from 1974 onwards through my student days, we would go to the bank for change.  Donald and I concluded that this branch was the dumping ground for those employees who didn’t quite meet the requirements to work in the city. Now look at the numpties employed in our banks.  We used to joke that if anyone tried to hold this place up, the service was so slow they would be caught before they were served.  Apparently someone did try to hold up this bank and allegedly got nothing.

Given the inevitable effects of Delirium Tremens, I thought this would be quite a chatty Curry meet.  It was becoming so.  This was just as well because the staff were running around doing nothing as far as I could make out.  A young lady with her coat on was now present, was she staff, what was being sold in Tesco that required two members of staff to be sent?  Another minute passed.  In fact it was becoming ridiculous, two Mutton Curries, were they not expecting to serve this tonight?

Jonathan and Hector visited the Pakistani Café in its first location on Pollokshaws Rd (the other side of the lights from the Allison Arms) a couple of years back.  The menu was minimal the portions microscopic.  I recall the chap came over to see us after a few minutes and we had almost completed our meal.  He brought us more.  We never went back.

Two years has passed since then, about as long as we felt we had waited for our main courses to arrive.

It was a Curry

Two plates of Mutton Curry were laid before us and a generous plate of Vegetable Rice.  ‘Is that for two?’ I asked.  ‘No, I am bringing another plate.’ was the reply. He came back, ‘that is two portions’, not so generous then.  Indeed, £5 for this?

The Mutton should have been more tender.  Four hours? It needed longer, overnight is how Hector prepares his Mutton Curry.  The Masala was only distinctive by the slightly burnt taste that was given off.  This was nothing special at all. Because of the passage of time I was ravenous.  The Curry of Hector disappeared very quickly.  Dr Stan ate at his leisurely pace.  When he was finished he summed the experience up quite well:  ‘It was a Curry’.

The Verdict

The Bill came to £36.  They only took cash.  I forgot to give them my calling card such was my shock at parting with a £20 note on a Friday night.  With The Wee Curry Shop across the street, Balbir’s in Church St and the Kelvin Hall a mere five minutes away at which starts Glasgow’s ‘Curry Mile’, and not forgetting the Indian orchard and Papa Gills further along at Partick what chance does this place have?  If they sell the Delirium Tremens at a reasonable price and permit people to snack, then I could see a return visit.  For a Curry-Heute?, no chance.

Update

After what seemed to be a matter of weeks, this venue closed.  The business has returned to the original premises in the South Side on Pollokshaws Road.

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The Akash, Helensburgh, a surprise in store…

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Hector

After the experience of the re-launched venue across the road, it was back to the Akash (45a Sinclair St, Helensburgh, G84 8TG) for this Curry-Heute.  One is always of the opinion that there is nothing new to order, I have eaten my way through the menu in the last almost thirty years.  How wrong was Hector!

Located at the prime site in Helensburgh, the station corner at the main traffic lights, the Akash now has another eating venue immediately below it. The ground floor does not sell Curry, perhaps one of the few newly opened venue selling traditional UK fayre that does not.

Marg and Hector were the only customers initially.  A familiar taxi driver came in and packed some orders for take-away.  More Takeaways and then the place started to fill.  At 18.00 on a Wednesday the place was doing good business.  What does this say about the other Curry venues in the town?

The song remains the same

The staff have not changed, the same faces for years.  Dinnis, one of the immortals, was a larger than life character.  His presence is always missed.  The current staff are polite, attentive and always ensure the meal is up to the expected standard.  They do not do humour. Shuel and/or his father – Mr Ali  appear at some point in every visit. One wonders why another source cites a poor experience here.

Chicken Chat

I couldn’t not have the Chicken Chat.  As described before, this is off-the-bone and is served with slivers of Cucumber.  It is like a dry Curry rather than that typically served.  The Chicken is served in larger chunks than it has been over the years, it is a fine experience. 

Vegetable Pakora

Marg loves the Vegetable Pakora at the Akash, so the Starters were our norm.

 And now for something completely different

Methi-Gosht Bhuna!  When did this appear on the Akash menu?   Perhaps Alan will have an answer?  Hector could not resist.  Marg also decided that sweet was the way ahead this evening: Chicken Patia – It will not be as good as mine –  stated Hector: see recipe drop down menu above.

Vegetable Rice and two Chapattis were the sundries.

Chicken Patia

The Chicken Patia was red, incredibly red.  (There is no food colouring in my recipe.)  Marg enjoyed it but left two pieces of meat, bad.

 

 

 

Methi Gosht BhunaThe Methi-Gosht Bhuna impressed from the moment of its presentation.  The Masala was minimal as indeed a Bhuna should be.  There Masala was thick with large pieces of Onion.  There was some tomato, maybe there was more Tomato in the dish than necessary.  The Methi content was not over done.  Some venues present a dish that is indistinguishable from Palak/Saag, Hector knows what happens if one adds too much Methi – overkill!

Taste wise, this dish had Clydebank overtones – a sweetness, a reddishness that was alien to the concept of the dish.  The overall impression was it was halfway there, but it did not have the Akash taste that permeates all of their dishes. this was sufficiently different, it was pleasant, the meal was thoroughly enjoyed.  I shall be having this on my next visit.

The portion was decidedly larger than on offer at The Village.  Hector reached the status of satisfied, so much so, I could not finish Marg’s remaining two pieces of Chicken, very bad.

The Bill

At £28.00 for two starters, two main meals, sundries,  and two excellent Coffees with copious quantities of Cream, this is very good value.

Postscript

I was copying an old video tape on to DVD for a colleague today.  When the credits rolled at the end of the Scottish made documentary, the sound man’s name caught my eye: Ian Cowie, aka Mr Snax!  One day our paths will cross…

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… at The Village, not gay, not the only…

Posted on March 19, 2011 by Hector

Saturday, 1500.   Just Dr Stan and Hector.

It is 168 hours since Hector ordered a Curry-Heute.

It is 48 days since I had a Curry-Heute here at The Village  (29 Nelson St, Tradeston, Glasgow, G5 8DZ).   January 30th?  This is ridiculous!  In that time someone turned up (at hostelry) and said the place had closed. Someone else said they are only weeks away from the new premises being opened.  There has been no communication from Mr Baig et al, so today could be interesting.

Another number

Hector had not eaten for 26 hours.  This self enforced fast would soon come to an end.

Starters

For Hector this is a rarity, however even given the appetite on the day, I have found the portion size at the Village to be have become smaller in recent visits.

I had already decided to have the Fish.  Massala Fish (marinated Salmon strips) would have to wait.  The Lahori Fish (Authentic Crispy Pangasius in Lahore Spice) at £6.95 a pop had caught my eye.  Pangasius? (White Catfish)  There are websites stating that one should never eat this fish given the industrial pollutants along the Mekong River and stories of the farmed versions being fed other fish… One wonders where this was sourced from.  I thought it was Haddock.  It was served sealed in a batter to keep in the Spices that had been expertly prepared and incorporated into this aquatic vertebrate.  The accompanying Dips provided a necessary source of moisture just to give the experience the edge.  Spicy, tasty, I would have this again.  One could imagine this being served in a local Chippy, not.

Meanwhile Dr Stan was straight into the Chapli Kebab (Spicy Chicken mince marinated with Tomatoes, Red pepper).  Strangely, I have never had one.

The Mains

Given our sporadic attendance in recent times, it could only be the Village Lamb Desi Korma (mine served Hot).  We were offered on-the-bone or off.  We chose the latter; the meat content is significantly higher.  Two portions of Vegetable Rice ordered as accompaniments, of course.

The Village was three quarters full when we arrived.  A large group left and couples of a range ages steadily took their place.  It was great to see grannies out for their Saturday afternoon ‘fix’.  We watched all these people receive their food.  Indeed, we were brought the adjacent table’s order. It did take an extraordinary amount of time for our dishes to appear, but as always the wait was worth it.

Given my propensity for dry Curry this is the absolute opposite.  This is all about the Masala: (A Yogurt base with Black Pepper, Green Chillies and copious amounts of special Herbs and Spices).  The Lamb was present but not in as great a quantity as was served here a year ago.  The prices have not gone up in some time.  Perhaps the management could introduce the 0.5kg portion when they re-launch?  How long the Lamb and the Masala had been in each other’s company one may speculate, however despite all this negativity, the meal is superb.  The taste lingers longer afterwards, the full Citrus blast to the fore.

There was hardly a word exchanged between Dr Stan and Hector during this ritual.  Sky News showed the Canadian Airforce at Prestwick and French jets were mentioned too.  ‘How much combat experience will they have?’ I asked.

The ‘New’ Village

Mr Baig, the owner, was on duty at the till.  He told me that work resumes next Monday on the new premises.  The severity of the winter has put them well behind.  I had looked in prior to crossing the road to the temporary premises – there is a long way to go.

A final number

This was the 100th Scottish Curry-Heute reviewed on this site since it began last April.  In a couple of weeks the full calendar year will have elapsed.  Hector suspects the ‘hit counter’ is somewhat over generous, but my thanks to all those who do bother to read the comments.  Some of you have identified yourselves, through further comments and recommendations more venues can be explored.

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The Khyber, Glasgow’s first Afghani Restaurant

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Hector

The (Glasgow) Herald alerted Hector to the existence of The Khyber (221 St. Andrews Road, Glasgow, G41 1PD) with a very enthusiastic account of the writers visit. Marg and Hector rolled up at 3pm this afternoon, a couple of chaps were deep in conversation, no food was being consumed, the waiter appeared – they are open. Technically The Khyber does not open until 4pm each day but as I was to establish later, when the staff get there, they are open.

The laminated menu on the table was not extensive. Kebabs and Grills form the majority of what is available but Peshawari Karahi does appear, hence our presence.

We sat on the far side of the room from the chaps and adjacent to two heaters. The place was cold, but to be fair, we were early. The Boti Kebab (Lamb marinated in medium spices roasted in the clay oven and served with mint sauce and salad.) we were led to believe had to be sampled. The Lamb version of the Peshawari Karahi (Finest Lamb meat cooked with the finest tomatoes, green chillies, black pepper, garlic and fresh ginger) was being served by the full or half kilo. This suited me but Marg at this point decided that she would have another starter, Tandoori Chicken, whilst I would be having my main.

Mein Host took the order then returned minutes later to say that the Lamb would take some time. This was not a problem. He then advised that the Lamb would be on-the-bone, even better!

We sat and took in the atmosphere. Did I mention it was cold? The décor was quite spartan, a rug or two on the walls. We did admire the floor tiles. Marg prefers traditional restaurants with table cloths and hot and cold running waiters, I celebrate the fact the Glasgow has more such cafe style outlets appearing. Marg likes – to go out -, I go out for food.

 

The two portions of Boti Kebab did not take too long to appear, here we go. The Lamb was succulent, soft and much better than the Tikka style Lamb served in most restaurants. The barbecue taste combined with the spices made this a definite treat. To visit The Khyber and not have this would be a travesty. Marg did find it too spicy for her palate, puzzling as she can eat hotter food than this. We took our time, we knew there would be a wait. This was a perfect situation, there would be time to digest this. 

Peshawari Karahi 

The main event arrived. A large platter of freshly cooked gleaming white Basmati Rice was the accompaniment. The only other Rice on offer was a full Rice meal, the Kabli Pilau, so I was a bit worried about the lack of vegetable content.

The Karahi looked immense, a half kilo is the perfect portion. The colour was very pale, no colourings had been used, turmeric etc. There was a lack of oil, the meal resembled an Irish Stew, I was becoming less optimistic.

The first taste

It’s Curry, Jim, but not as we know it…

Was this really a Curry was my initial reaction. No cinnamon, no turmeric, only Black pepper evident, this was different. The Masala was thick and gravy-like.   But it definitely had something. I was a very confused Hector.

Marg was worried about her Tandoori Chicken, it might have been a bit pink, better this than cooked to death, I thought.

The Turning Point

By the time I had finished my first helping I was warming to the dish. The Lamb on the bone was excellent. There were tastes slowly emerging from the Karahi. The meal was becoming more and more interesting. The Fresh Green Chillies gave the dish the required Vegetable content. There was a herbal element coming into play to. This was no ordinary Stew but a very impressive creation.

Marg mooted the need for a doggy-bag,

I will be eating all of this – the reply.

Was it Curry? Possibly. Will I go back? Certainly. Does The Khyber deserve recommendation? Definitely! If one is prepared to try something quite different then The Khyber is the place to go.

Time will tell how long it will take The Friends of Hector to descend en mass.

The Aftermath

At £11.95 for the half kilo this was good value. On paying the bill Mein Host engaged me in conversation. The Calling Card does its job. He is clearly very proud of what his restaurant serves. He assured me that everything is cooked fresh and from scratch. There is no pot of sauce in our kitchen. Mein Host was very critical of the normal Glasgow outlets with the pots of Masala cooking away all day and the quantity of Oil used in cooking.

The Khyber has set itself a high standard it appears. They have a great belief in what they present. The food is certainly impressive, Hector will be back.

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Jonathan’s first visit to Cafe Salma

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Hector

It was hard to believe that Jonathan had not been to Cafe Salma (523 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow, G3 7PQ) before.  But then again, he is usually on his way back from the frozen north when Dr Stan and I make our near ritual Friday teatime visit.  Where was Dr Stan?   Jonathan was early and was tucking in to the complementary Poppadoms and Chutneys.

Hector was wondering why Jonathan was paying such close attention to the menus.  The dishes of choice are all on one side panel.  That was the moment I realised this was his first time.  Hector gave his recommendations and Jonathan selected the Lamb (off-the-bone) Garam Masala with a Garlic and Coriander Nan.  Hector decided that for a change an Aloo Paratha would accompany the usual Lamb (on-the-bone) Lahori Karahi.

The staff were as attentive as ever.  Dessert was mentioned before we had made order, alas the consumption of all this bread would make a shared Kofta Palak out of the question.

Jonathan actually made no comment whatsoever about the quality of the meal: he presumably knew it would be excellent, it was.  One cannot help think that a Chef must have been to The Village at some time as the Masala looks very similar to the Desi Korma/Tawa served across the river.

The Bill

Hassan must have noticed my puzzled expression.  There was a £4+ item, the soft drinks? Hassan came over to the table and reduced the bill to £11.50 each, much better.

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Yvonne @ Yadgar – # Birthday Bash

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Hector

…We need to find somebody who can fly this ‘plane who did not have Fish for dinner…

…or Big Curry, small Cake…

Today Yvonne chose Yadgar (148 Calder St, Govanhill, Glasgow, G42 7QP) as the Curry House of choice for her birthday.  Actually the decision was made well in advance…

It was Wednesday when Howard communicated his desire to sample the Fish Curry.  Hector could not possibly let Howard have this and not be in on it too; suppose by some miracle it turned out to be better than the Goshat Karahi?  Unlikely, but then one never knows…

When one visits Yadgar it is advised to communicate the order in advance.  Hector began negotiations midweek:

‘A few of us intend coming Sunday afternoon…

There is an enquiry about Fish….

Can Fish curry be available then?

Will let you know full order later in week.

Visited a Bradford house, twice, last weekend…gosh…’

‘What quantity and type of fish dish would you like? Karahi, dry, in a sauce, hot etcetera.’ (Shkoor Anwar)

Fish flown in especially, from Scotland

‘I have a nice bit of cod (Scottish) coming in just for the occasion.’  (Shkoor Anwar)

Four of us would have the Goshat Karahi, Howard and Hector the Fish Karahi with a sneaky Aloo Gobi side dish.

The Yadgar Welcome

Marg dropped Hector off at 14.05, just a tad late.  The complementary Starters immediately began to appear: the Salad with Chillies, the Onion Chutney, Mango Chutney, Dips… a plate piled high with Popadoms.  Tracey had ordered a tea.

The side orders came next: Paratha, two Chapattis, the excellent Vegetable Rice (with Capsicum for those who like it) and Mushroom Rice portions for the wise.

The arrival of the Goshat Karahi was greeted with an audible gasp.  This was for the three ladies only; a less extreme portion was ordered for Craig.  Why was I having the Fish?

The Fish arrived in a similar sized Karahi to the Lamb: this was to share with Howard.  It was a good Fish Curry but I suspect next time Howard and Hector will return to have the best Curry served in Glasgow.

We ate like kings

The ladies could not finish their Karahi banquet, how sad.  This meant Howard and Hector were able to have some crumbs…  Mags managed to arrange a generous portion to takeaway in the end.

Yvonne?  She thoroughly enjoyed her birthday meal, and why not?

Aloo Gobi

Not forgotten, but a splendid decision by Hector just in case the Fish was only em, Fish.  This provided great diversity to the meal.   Let us have more Vegetable Sides as standard.

Mr Sha, the magnificent Chef whose creations we had consumed, came out from the kitchen to take his well earned bow.  We cannot work out why this venue is not queued out the door seven days a week… just as well for us…

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A Saturday Sojourn to Sheerin Palace

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Hector

With a big day planned for tomorrow a solo Curry-Heute was called for.  Sheerin Palace (300 Allison St, Glasgow, G42 8HQ) just around the corner from Yadgar, is a venue I was determined to return to.  Last time it was Quail but the Kofta Anda had caught the eye: it was available.

I surveyed the dishes under the glass counter – it looked pretty much the same as on my last visit: the Chicken-Rice, Chana and Okra Curry all lined up.  I thought the Chicken-Rice was worth another try and so ordered this along with the Kofta Anda and sat down.

Another chap was about to get tucked in.  A woman arrived with an annoying wee brat.  Hector counted 24 seating places – tight but maybe not so cosy.  This place is very much the Café-style Curry house, the takeaway trade was doing well.

Huge portion, big bones

I received my Kofta Anda in one plate and an outrageous portion of Chicken-Rice on another.  Who on earth could eat all this – still it was worth the try.  I poured the wet Kofta Anda over the Rice and started on the two Chicken pieces; well I assume it was Chicken.  The bones were large.

The Egg factor had created a sense of daring in the back of my mind yet as soon as the first piece of hardboiled Egg was tasted I realised I have been eating Curried Eggs all my life, indeed the recipe is in the drop-down menu above!

Why meatballs – do they taste better than Mince, perhaps?  I could not discern anything to make the Kofta element stand out; however it is all about the Masala.  This was dark red, oily, very runny and took me back once more to the 1960s and the very first Curries served in Glasgow.  I love this taste and miss it – raw and uncompromising.  I could have done with more to make the Rice more interesting.  In the end I had to leave some Rice.

The guys behind the counter were interested in the calling card and permitted the above photo of the shop to be taken.  They have pride in what they serve and justifiably so.  Next time more Quail please.

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Cafe Salma : Business is booming…

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Hector

It was pleasing to note on arrival at Café Salma (523 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow, G3 7PQ)  that the place was busy upstairs and throughout my meal people emerged from downstairs too.  Hassan’s business is growing and rightly so.  A colleague dared to suggest that on his visit the food was ‘poor’.  Those of us who are regulars were gobsmacked by this statement.

No need for a menu tonight, just bring me a Lamb Karahi, on-the-bone and a Mushroom Rice: and no Capsicums!

The complementary Popadoms (singular) and Chutneys helped passed the minutes until the meal arrived.  Meanwhile a table of five patiently sat for their Moroccan dishes to brought up from the downstairs kitchen.  The three guys on the ground floor were certainly being kept busy on the Curry front this evening.

The Lamb Karahi was as good as ever.  The Masala is decidedly thick, one suspects more than Onion is blended into this sauce.  The aftertaste is what makes it all the more memorable.

Hassan came up from downstairs and shook my hand, even though I was eating.  How many handshakes did I receive tonight?  It is like walking into a place of friendship.  ‘I have been looking at you website’, Hassan said. ‘…all that lovely food makes me hungry.’  Hassan calls me ‘Hector’, quaint!

 

I was offered ‘Dessert’ even Ice-Cream(?), I declined.  Hector had consumed an elegant sufficiency.

 

The bill came to £12 plus and was rounded down, one cannot then leave a tip when this happens.

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Saturday night, Sunday morning – The Sheesh Mahal revisited

Posted on February 27, 2011 by Hector

There were a few trains and a few Biers as Dr Stan, Jonathan and Hector did the Yorkshire legs of the Ale Trail. When we returned to Bradford the others went to bed. Jonathan had sneaked in a Chinese Buffet in Huddersfield, I was surprised that Dr Stan did not join Ricky and his friend, ‘fresh’ from their stint at the Bradford Beer Festival. Ricky had texted me to say that he wanted a Curry at the Sheesh Mahal (6 St. Thomas’s Rd, Bradford, BD1 2RW) around midnight.

We were given the table at the door. Omar was straight over: ‘I have been on your website! He now knows I cheat a bit with the dates of posting. How could I possibly make the posts minutes after I eat the meal?

The friend of Ricky aka ‘ Mr Daft’, ordered a strange Chicken with Fruit dish. Ricky a Keema Kerala and I was basically told what I was having. No discussion was required. Could they impress me as much again? There was discussion about the number of Chapattis, the others ordered Roti.

The Breads are inclusive in the price of the Curry.

Ricky demanded Poppadoms and also ordered a Seekh Kebab and ‘Fred’ ordered a Bahji like pancake. As no take away menu was available I am somewhat in the dark. The mysterious Onions in Batter arrived, apparently this is the norm.

I did not have to wait very long for my indulgence to recommence. The meat was in smaller pieces tonight. There was certainly enough of it despite having to keep pulling slivers of bone from my mouth. The taste was not as overwhelming as last night, but I have had a long day and a previous Curry.  If I was a Bradford resident I would probably live here. Given the level of banter between Ricky and the staff, I think Ricky does. Am I not glad that Glasgow has places on this level to compete? The Sheesh Mahal is now firmly on my radar. I shall be telling the world, if they wish to listen. Oh, in some ways I just have.

We had to ask Omar what he had given me for the last two nights – as written on the menu – else the next time I may not get what I want. ‘Meat Karahi –  was the inevitable response

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Bradford – Breakfast at Kashmir

Posted on February 26, 2011 by Hector

Jonathan and Dr Stan took advantage of our Hilton Hotel deal, again it was Ricky who found this, and went down for breakfast. Hector had other things on his mind. A noon Curry-Heute at Kashmir (27 Morley St, Bradford BD7 1AG ) was what his plan was to start the day running.

I did check the other premises around Great Horton Rd and Morley St to see where else was open, just in case a Sunday ‘breakfast’ was required. The Lahore (52 Great Horton Rd, Bradford, BD7 1AL) was open but told me that normally they would be open early on a Sunday but they had a wedding party booked. It was a bit posh looking for Bradford.

The Kashmir is always open, I have eaten more Bradford Curry here than anywhere else in this city. That they are one of the oldest Curry Houses in Bradford may have something to do with this. I realise that I have been eating here now for fifteen years.

The downstairs room is is the day room, there are about half a dozen others already in place. I am not alone. The waiter comes and asks if I want a menu. I took it and decided to select from the right side of the page for a change: Meat Karahi. Now there is a surprise, but my normal selection is a Dry Curry from the other side.

Rice or Chapattis come inclusive.  I decided on Rice, I was – Chapattied – out This turned out not to be a wise decision. It was plain Basmati Rice, I prefer more interesting Vegetables in my Rice. The lack of Masala makes Rice a strange choice. Had I made a serious mistake?

The meal came in minutes, with the volume they sell this must make the job simple. The Curry was fine. Sadly that is all I can say about it on this visit. The Curry from the night before was still in the forefront of my mind. I was not doing the meal justice and the Rice was killing it. I should have known better.

I shall be back and I know I will enjoy another superb lunch at Kashmir, however, evenings will be spent at….

The staff were interested in my calling card..I explained that I am from Glasgow and that I was making a Curry sojourn in Bradford. One chap mentioned Pollokshields, I mentioned Yadgar, he claimed to know it. They asked if I worked there, this is a challenge I have yet to meet.

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