Swarg, Bamberg’s only and worst Curry Haus!

Posted on October 14, 2010 by Hector

Bamberg is for Bier, not for Curry-Heute!

And they say the Germans do not have a sense of humour?

German Curry has been a joke for the years Hector has visited...    this is exactly what Hector means.   The restaurant Swarg (Frauenstr 2, 96047, Bamberg) is in a lovely building just behind the square off the main shopping street, an excellent location.  This may be the last positive in this report.

Hector walked into the restaurant and immediately spotted the Buffet on offer at the door.  Hopefully this is not all.  The menu that was brought was a fairly extensive lunchtime menu.  At €6.10 for a main dish this looked quite appealing, how wrong this thought was.  The Mutton Alu was ordered.  The accompanying bottle of mineral water was €3.50, ok so this is not the first time the cost of the water has been questionable.  Then it arrived…

What on Earth is this?


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

The metal bowl was filled to the brim with the thinnest sauce, I cannot even bring myself to use the ‘M’ word.  The Onion must have been waved over the pot… was there any Garlic or Ginger used in the preparation?  It was just pink.  The Mutton was cut into small pieces, together they made a pitiful portion. The cut up Potato was no better.  This was a case of eat the oversized portion of boiled Basmati with the gravy and make the solids last as long as possible.

The taste?

Well this became a game.  Was there any?  There was a Green Cardamom and a Black Cardamom in the pot.  I tasted these as I encountered them in my mouth.  On both occasions I was hoping for meat.

The kick?

It should have been up the arse of the so-called Chef.  There was an adjacent lady who had the same dish from the Buffet and was audibly suffering.

Taj MahalThis was the worst Curry I have eaten in the past ten years.  The last one as bad as this was at the Taj Mahal in Zakynthos which is also the worst Greek holiday destination I have ever been to.  They had no idea and I asked them if they needed help, but they were Greek.  This venue is masquerading as a provider of Indian food.  It is shockingly poor.

Howard thinks he read of a new Indian restaurant opening soon in Bamberg – they will have no competition.

Update 2015

Cafe Zafran did open, Bamberg has two Currry Houses.

Swarg changed hands not long after this review and was greatly improved.

Swarg is now a – must visit – venue.

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Indien Express now called Lahori Hajweri

Posted on October 13, 2010 by Hector

Lahori Hajweri (3a Schillerstrasse, München) – …next to The Sports Bar!

Arriving in München at 22.00, one has to check into one’s hotel quickly and traditionally then go out for a Bier, or two.  Priorities have changed – there is good Curry to be had in this German city.  Hector was on the phone as soon as the S Bahn had left the airport to ascertain if the Indien Express was open and at what time they would close.  In the summer when Jonathan and Hector so graciously went down to München from Nurnberg to wave off Marg and Neil, the Indien Express was mysteriously closed.  It had only been open a few months; Hector knows this because he and Marg were the first paying customers.

The restaurant was open and 23.30 was the time given for the Curry ultimatum.

Many Questions

Juliet on her first experience of ‘Hector’s Horrible Holidays’ was happy to accompany Steve and I to what we still believed to be the Indien Express.  What is all this green?  A new name?  Are we in for a horror show?  What happened to the previous operators?  The head waiter of the Lahori Hajweri could only say something along the lines of ‘Urlaub’.  It must be a long vacation if they have had the decorators in.

Juliet selected exactly the same raised table Hector and Marg had sat at in February.  The order was placed: no Bier vom Fass as had been the case earlier in the year.  Hector would wait – the usual mineral water would suffice.   Spicy Popadoms and the Chutneys came quickly.

There was quite a wait for the serving of the dishes.  During the wait there was much sound of stirring and bashing in the kitchen.  Someone was hard at work.  It was evident that the dishes were actually being prepared with some effort.  This was most encouraging; after all, the two previous Curries eaten by Hector had been outstanding.  This was day 3 of Curry this week.

Juliet ordered a Chicken Tikka Jalfrezi, I believe.  Until she becomes used to the Hector interrogation I thought I had better back off.  I was permitted to sample the Masala at the end but my own Curry dominated the taste buds.

Steve was straight in to the Karahi Gosht.  Whose company has he been keeping?  Having both eaten here before expectations were high.  Steve is not going to make positive comments for the sake of it any more than this commentator.  When it is pronounced to be impressive, it must be.  One slight critical observation was that Steve reckoned he could taste a ‘Powder’ in the Masala, we concluded it would be Garam Masala.

Hector in a moment of wonder strayed from the safety net of the tried and tested.  Bindhi Gosht was the order of the day.  OK, Okra is a regular feature of my own home cooked Curries and so this was not a strange departure.  On arrival, the presentation was perfect as it was for the other dishes.  The Masala looked thick and interesting.  The distinctive ‘German Curry flavour’ was to the fore.  This is the taste of a very good Curry – sweeter than served in the UK.  Having asked for it ‘Scharf’ or ‘Indian Hot’ as the waiter put it there was a kick but not an excessive one.

The Okra was presented differently than in the UK – chopped into centimetre slices.  This worked very well and I shall employ this in future.  The Okra no doubt cooks faster and avoids the sliminess that can accrue when overcooked.

The Rice was a hoot

The proverbial mountain of boiled Basmati accompanied the three dishes and was served on a single long platter.  Should we ask for more?

If The Indian Mango is closed over Silvester this could be the #1 venue of choice.

There was a single customer when we arrived and three more joined the assembly by the time we left.  I wish this place well.  I do not know why there was such a rapid change in branding.  The food is well above average.  Hopefully the location is not too off putting.  Even ten years ago when Hector had his fascination with Weizenbier, he does not recall ever setting foot in this basement in its original incarnation as the Weissbierkeller.  He does not recall…

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The International, Bradford’s Finest Restaurant?

Posted on October 12, 2010 by Hector

It’s one o’clock and time for lunch, hum de dum de dum dum…

The International (40-42 Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1B) has been Mr Holden’s #1 Curry House in Bradford for some time.  Hector is pleased to state that he had tried this outlet years before Mr Holden became known to him.

The Desi Lamb (on-the-bone) was picked up after yesterday’s visit to The Karachi.  Normally I would have ordered a Methi or a Karahi, however the term ‘Desi’ would certainly not be misused.

The liquid had congealed

The foil wrapper was opened to reveal a thick Masala and a fully packed container.  No skimping on portion size here.  Rice?  Indeed, this was chosen for microwave purposes.

Into the Wok

A few minutes later the Desi Lamb was coming to life.  It takes such discipline to withhold the moment and take the required photos.

*

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

On to the plate

The Masala was thick, dark and the Onion content was distinctive.  The Lamb was certainly on-the-bone.  There were many bizarre shapes of bone mixed with meat only.

Down the hatch

The taste was simply magnificent!  The taste was superb.  The richness of the Masala suggested a Chef performing a labour of love had put this meal together.   More exclamations!  !  !

This Curry had everything.  The bits of bone left on the plate were numerous.  There was a perfect volume of actual meat on the plate.

Marg was permitted a sample: ‘It’s spicy!’  Well of course; this is one of the perfect Curries from one of the greatest Curry Houses.

What is for lunch tomorrow?

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Curry-Heute.com : The First Bradford Blog

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Hector

You cannot take Hector to Yorkshire and not stop off in Bradford for a Curry!  This is the place I have raved about for fourteen years.  Ironically my first outlet, opposite The Kashmir Restaurant, became a Russian Vodka bar.  Since then I have explored many of the Curry Houses around Morley St.

Mr Holden

There was an arrangement to meet Mr Holden, a native of the city Hector calls Curry Paradise.  Having taken him to Yadgar (Glasgow) recently he knew he had to come up with something special.  Karachi Restaurant (15/17 Neal St, Bradford, BD5 0BX) is not the finest Curry House in Bradford, but it is the oldest.’

Given the location, this is not one Hector had found in previous visits.  They also serve Kofta Palak which Mr Holden describes as his favourite dish of the moment.  Now how common is this in Glasgow these days?

The venue has expanded since its inception in the 1970s.  There were only a couple of customers so we were able to take our table of choice.

Hector was hungry

Having starved myself since a light breakfast in York and the time now at 16.30, a starter was in order.  Marg and Mr Holden had Onion Bhaji, there was some confusion about the term – Pakora.  Hector went for the Mix Starter: Onion Bhaji, Mushroom Pakora, a Sami Kebab and a Vegetable Samosa.

Yes, Hector ate all this.

To be the perfect guest I went along with the order for Kofta Palak, my first experience of this dish.  Marg followed her perfectly honed instinct and went for the Meat Karahi: the dish Hector would have ordered.

No Rice, no sides, we had to ask for cutlery

I have learned my lesson in the past; Chapattis come as part of the order.  Rice and Nan are unnecessary.

The Kofta Palak, or Meat Ball  Spinach as it is written, had a thick Masala with the Spinach evident.  Four meatballs comprised the portion but each of these had to be halved for the convenience of eating.  There was not the usual Bradford herb taste, the Spinach took care of that but here I am, in Bradford, eating Curry-Heute!

Marg stated that she was glad she came to Bradford.  In the past she has watched me eat as the time of passing through Bradford is not always a normal eating time.  Marg was in effect eating Hector’s Curry: she thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so she left me some!  I enjoyed it too.  The Meat was so well cooked it disintegrated in the mouth, superb. I was certainly a happy old Hector!

Hector was stuffed by this time, but he was not finished.

Bradford comes to Glasgow

I popped back to Morley St and picked up a Desi Lamb from The International AND a Lamb Bhuna from Kashmir.

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York – The Mogul – The Biennial Trip with Marion and Graeme

Posted on October 9, 2010 by Hector

Three years ago it was Coniston, two years prior was Traben-Trarbach, and Howarth was the inaugural trip so a Bradford Curry must have been consumed on that one.  This year it is York.

Hector has never eaten a Curry in York so research had to be done in advance.  As is evident, Curry Houses are not too difficult to find in this very historic city.  However searching the local Websites no particular Curry House stood out above the rest.  Hector decided to do a sweep of the outlets and select his own.  This was brave as three other people would have their evening made or ruined by this decision.

Without the City Walls

At first no Curry Houses were revealing themselves.  On the tour bus around the edge of the city walls one or two came into view.  Thereafter they kept rolling by.

Mogul (39 Tanner Row, Toft Green, York YO1 6JP) appeared to fit what Hector was looking for.  A backstreet outlet, nothing flashy: there were many fine looking restaurants but why would one assume they made outstanding Curry?  What was interesting was the presence of a Fish Nawabi (at least that is how I remember it) plus a fall back of Methi Lamb.  What won was the Handi, a freshly prepared variable dish as decided daily by the Chef.  This could be it.  The telephone number was noted and a booking reservation made later in the day.

The place was not busy.  Graeme and Marion awaited us as they did not walk all round York to get there.  Located behind the Grand Hotel it is – easy – to find.

Handi

The Handi had to be established.  Chicken Bhuna was what the waiter told us.  Not worth the risk I thought.

Graeme ordered a starter: The Adana Chicken Kebab: this featured egg, interesting.  This turned out to be Chicken omelette, amusing.  Graeme stated that it was tasty so this went down well.

Hector ordered a starter too (English portions!): Chicken and Garlic served on a Chapatti.  The Chapatti was folded in quarters and the Chicken-Garlic mix sat adjacent.  Where was the taste?  How could these ingredients sit on a plate and have no taste at all. The Chapatti, somewhat withered around the edges, tasted as it should so it was not me that was at fault.  Now Hector normally does not have a Bier with a Curry: in this company it is traditional.  A small bottle of Kingfisher is not designed to kill off the taste of Curry, I believe.

For the mains Marg and Marion ordered Butter Chicken.  Graeme and Hector both went for the aforementioned Fish dish, Hector asked for his to be – hot.

The sides : Lemon Rice and a Keema Nan for sharing by Graeme and Marion whilst we ordered our usual Special (Vegetable Rice) with a novel Vegetable and Spinach Nan.

Given the quality of the Lemon Rice served to us in Aberdeen at Nazma, this would have to be excellent.  In the end Marion pronounced it favourable which is probably not too bad.  She did enjoy her Butter Chicken but Hector had wondered why Marg had gone for this.  Mother India Café (Glasgow) serves her favourite version of this dish, the Mogul version would have had to be magnificent to compete, it was not.  Where was the Keema in the Naan?  Very little inserted I am told.  The Vegetable/Palak Nan was certainly novel and filling.  I would have this again.

The Main Event

Graeme was not impressed.  A Fish Stew – was how he described it.  The Masala was thick and brown: not the dreaded – Bisto – effect, probably from puréed Onion.  My Fish had a kick, however this dominated, and no other tastes emerged apart from the single spice added to increase the fire rating.  The Fish taste was there but one had to be disappointed at what was on offer.  When am I getting my Curry? –  was Graeme’s remark at the end.

The Bill

£94.00 Not an excessive quantity of alcohol was to blame for this.  When one thinks of the value elsewhere then this was somewhat overpriced.

We will return to York in the future and try our luck elsewhere.

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They moved The Ferry away from The Village

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Hector

Tonight is Hector’s first ever experience of Genesis music live.  OK, it is Regenesis,  a tribute band playing material recorded just before the period appreciated by most.  The venue is The Ferry formerly located  on the south bank of the Clyde where the ‘Squiggly’ Bridge is now sited.  The Ferry moved to accommodate the bridge, the bridge now allows better access to The Village.  All is not lost.

Supper’s Ready

With Marg in Tynemouth and not eating Curry-Heute, it was left to Steve to accompany Hector to The Village (129 Nelson St, Tradeston, Glasgow, G5 8DZ) for a pre-Regenesis meal.  With two cars parked in the car park we had to ensure that our registration numbers were entered into the Village Black Box.  Now for food.

Hector had not eaten his favourite Village Lamb Desi Korma (hot) on-the-bone for some weeks.  Steve asked for a recommendation and had the Lamb Tawa (hot) on-the-bone.   Hector’s Vegetable Rice and Steve’s Pilau Rice and Garlic Nan were our usual accompaniments.

Deep in the Motherload

The meals came quickly which was surprising given how busy The Village was.  I could not tell if the main restaurant upstairs across the street was open.

The Lamb Lies Down…

Today the Desi Korma was back to its usual colour.  The Tawa which is a very similar dish matched this colour, of course.  The distinctive Village taste was to the fore as ever.  I still think that one gets done slightly ordering Lamb on-the-bone, the portion looks no larger than the off-the-bone version given there is the pile of bones left at the end of the meal.

Steve thoroughly enjoyed The Village experience; he has not been that often.  He did remark that the raw Ginger was overpowering but as it is served on top of the meal it was his choice to eat it all.  He could not resist it.  He loved the Citrus flavour too.

Scenes from a night’s dream

To hear the early Genesis tracks live was a real treat.  The band played with great accuracy and replicated the original tracks as they should.  When a tribute band does an encore and then another, who is the audience paying tribute to: the band in front of them or the band who wrote the music?  Why do tribute bands record themselves playing live?  Did the original band not release live albums of themselves?

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The Village, it had to be…

Posted on October 3, 2010 by Hector

The Lamb Desi Korma is red today

The Ryder Cup is more important to some than going for a Curry-Heute.  It was Marg’s decision to go to The Village (129 Nelson St, Glasgow, G5 8DZ), Hector was not for complaining.  The dilemma is now one having declared yesterday’s Yadgar experience as being the best Curry I have ever tasted in Glasgow, what happens when I return to what is clearly my favourite Glasgow Curry house?

Hector let Marg choose The Village Lamb Desi Korma (off-the-bone).  The Lamb Laal Lahori (on-the-bone) is always consistent, this is what I needed as an insurance to prevent having to make unwelcome comparisons.  The usual Vegetable Rice and two Chapattis to share were the accompaniments. Marg believes we should drop the Rice.  This is brave talk, we shall see how she copes with Bradford next week.

The new car parking regulations are now in force.  If one does not register one’s car on a special machine in the restaurant, one faces a hefty £80 (wheel clamp?) fine.

The meals came very quickly. We were the only customers at 18.00 on a Sunday evening.

The Laal Lahori was just sublime.  The taste was intense.  The on-the-bone version has to be experienced.  After the meal when the waiter asked how we enjoyed it there was verification by us both that on-the-bone is the way to eat Lamb.  “…even if it is more difficult…”

Marg thoroughly enjoyed her very red Village Lamb Desi Korma.  She remarked on the Citrus flavour which is always to the fore.  Hector was permitted to eat the last piece of Desi Lamb with a little of the sauce.  Piquant, as Howard would say.

Cacophony

The TV and the radio were playing equally loudly.  Please turn one off, either, I do not care.

Walking across the sitting room he turned the television off…

Hector has been spoiled this weekend.   Two fantastic Curries.  It will have to be back to ‘mince and tatties’ tomorrow.

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Five go to Yadgar!

Posted on October 2, 2010 by Hector

Goshat Karahi, The Best Curry in Glasgow, By Far!!!

There was a traffic hiatus on the south side of Glasgow.  The M8 was wedged meaning Marg was panicking about missing the start of her hockey cup match.  Mags was stuck in traffic on a bus.  Howard and Tracey avoided the jam by taking the Subway across the river.  Dr Stan walked from the West End and observed the volume of traffic and was therefore not surprised when Hector texted to state he would be five minutes late.  It is more than a five minute walk from Albert Dr to Calder St, the point at which hockey was declared to be more important than Curry?

Once assembled the Rice, Chapattis and Paratha were ordered.

Two plates of Salad were brought to fill in the remaining moments.  Anticipation levels were at their highest. Dr Stan and Hector had pre-ordered 1kg of Goshat Karahi (on-the-bone) to share.  Tracey and Howard had ordered the same dish but normal portions.  Mags the off the bone version.  Now did Tracey really think that Dr Stan and I were going to have 1kg each?  That would be gluttony!

The standard portions came first.  They looked as superb as ever.  Then came the large karahi metal bucket.  The dish was visibly drier than the portions previously brought.  The Masala was at an absolute minimum.  Time to wade in.

At this point Hector will inform his readers that Mr Shkoor Anwar has contacted Hector since his last visit having found the previous Curry-Heute Blog entries.  Having seen the website he has become familiar with Hector’s love of the dry Bradford style dishes.

There was a chap on the premises we had not seen before, could this be Shkoor?

Hector was in Curry Heaven.  Dr Stan was his usual enigmatic self.  Tracey, Mags and Howard were clearly enjoying the moment.

This is the best Curry I have eaten in Glasgow, ever, BY FAR!

“Shoot me” when I have finished this I asked my fellow diners.

Dr Who?

Yadgar, a Glasgow Curry house, serving this quality of meal.  A back street kebab house by all appearances from the exterior.  In terms of taste, this place is The Tardis!

Unsurprisingly, Hector and Dr Stan were not first finished.  The extra quantity of meat saw us dip back into the Karahi for more, and more.  At no point did we think that there was too much.  This was also the prefect quantity.  Hopefully Dr Stan and Hector, X, Y and Z and Hector will repeat this experience often in the years to come.

“Are you Mr Shkoor Anwar?” Hector asked the chap at the end of the meal.  We introduced ourselves. “I am the chap who is known as Hector, it’s a long story….” This was a meeting of like minds.  Shkoor knows Bradford.

Shkoor also stated that he had told the Chef to make the large Karahi extra- dry.  This perfect meal had been no accident: this had been prepared specially for Hector’s enjoyment.   Shkoor was made aware of my Website by friends of his in the USA, I thank them for pointing this out.  There will be many more entries to follow.

There is now enough information to compose a standalone page for Yadgar:  Recommended Curry Houses.  We also discussed the legendary Mr Snax and his video clip that is on You Tube.  When will our paths cross?

Complimentary tea was offered and accepted.  An array of Desserts appeared: the ladies loved this.  Chocolate Gateaux, a Walnut Cheesecake, a Semolina type dish and I do not have a Scooby what the last one was.  Hector does not do Desserts, Hector does Deserts!  However, my fellow diners were certainly appreciative.

This has been quite a weekend.  When Friday Night at The Bon is Blogged one may appreciate why.  It ain’t over yet.  Sunday, tomorrow, is the day we take out Mother, now what shall we do, where shall we go?

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Cafe Salma, Moroccan Roll

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Hector

Hector has been having a Friday pre Bon Accord Curry for some months now.  With the visit to the Akash last evening and the big visit to Yadgar tomorrow, even Hector thought better of three in a row.

Occasionally Hector has flashes of inspiration; there was one today – why not go to Café Salma  (523 Sauchiehall Street, Charing X, Glasgow, G3 7PQ) and not have a Curry-Heute?

The welcome was as warm as ever.  “Do you have your camera?” I was asked on entry by the head waiter.  He was intrigued by what I do with my photos and so I showed him the Curry-Heute Website and his own photo.  He was amused, I should really ask people their name more often.

The complementary Popadom and Chutneys came to the table instantly.  Hector was nearly tempted to have a Curry.

The Cous Cous Baladi was recommended:   “This is a famous Moroccan dish. Steam cooked cous cous, topped with 7 stewed vegetables, served with chicken or lamb.”, Hector had the Lamb. The Curry is evidently prepared upstairs and the Moroccan dishes downstairs. The Cous Cous arrived accompanied by three pots, one contained a bland curry coloured gravy, the second a ketchup coloured fiery and very salty sauce and the third a mélange of Onion and Raisins.

Quality control

The red sauce gave the meal a real kick, am I in Deutschland? Too salty at times, I noted, however it was when not so the meal was at its best.  Temperance, by mixing the Cous Cous well enough this was overcome.  I did overhear a lady state she found it too salty also.  The waiter took a spoon from her pot and went running downstairs.

This was by no means Hector’s first Cous Cous.  Chatting with Hassan after the meal I told him I had been to Morocco – Tangier to be precise.  He suggested other places to the south, Marrakesh et al were better.  He could well be correct, Tangier was not a great holiday destination.

Enough of this distraction, Hector wants a Curry!

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The Akash, Helensburgh’s Curry Establishment

Posted on September 30, 2010 by Hector

Hector, a familiar sight

This Blog has been going some time now yet it has taken until this Curry-Heute to report on the Indian Restaurant where Hector has eaten most of his Curry.  Visits to the Akash (45 Sinclair St, Helensburgh, G84 8TG) are usually when work commitments keep Hector late: the season has begun.

Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be.

Chicken Chat has been a stalwart starter for the 29 years I have visited this outlet.  Chopped very small it is a mélange of Spicy Chicken, Onion and fresh Cucumber in a slightly oily but minimal Masala.  This and the Lamb Rogan Josh were my staple diet here for years.  Inevitably this is what I had to order for the purposes of this report, though the Gulaap has been tried more recently.

Chicken Chat

The Chicken Chat arrived and was served in larger pieces.  Still this is very different from the Chicken Tikka served under this name, a very pleasant change.

Lamb Rogan JoshThe Rogan Josh looked as superb as ever.  The Masala is on the thick side with an overload of Tomato, both in the Masala and as added chunks.  These are slightly under-cooked so the meal has an aura of having been prepared just for the diner.

The accompanying Vegetable Rice looked worryingly large on arrival; however, Hector was to eat the lot!The taste is oh so familiar.  If anything the disappointing thing about the meal was the meat.  Usually the Lamb is very tender, tonight it was drier, tougher and darker.  Was it Beef?  It sure could have been!

With Navy bases in the environs of Helensburgh this place is never empty.  A large table of military personnel had entered by the time I was half way through my meal.  Business is good; the carry-out service is continuous whilst on eats.

Marg came to join me for the end of my eating experience and ordered a splendid portion of Pakora.  She struggled to finish it.

The next planned Curry is at Yadgar: the full Kilogram!

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