Glasgow – Cafe Salma – Once is not enough

Posted on October 22, 2010 by Hector

A sensible Friday evening rendezvous with Dr Stan at Café Salma (523 Sauchiehall Street, Charing X, Glasgow, G3 7PQ)before an evening in the Bon Accord.

Last time Dr Stan had the Kofta Palak because he could, he likes it and Mr Holden raves about it.  Hector related his first encounter of Kofta Palak at the Karachi in Bradford and how afterwards when I tasted Marg’s Karahi Gosht the flavour of the latter came through so magnificently.  ‘I should have had the Kofta Palak as the starter’ I said.

Not Rocket Science


Dr Stan suggested we do this: ‘Why not share a Kofta Palak as the starter?  And so we did much to the amusement of the waiter and Hassan himself.  ‘Last time I had this I wanted a Curry after it.’ I told Hassan.  One Chapatti between the two of us was deemed a compromise: we did not wish to spoil the main event.

Better than Bradford, by far!

The Palak Gosht at Café Salma is outstanding.  Not because of the meatballs but because of the quality of the Masala.  The blend if Spinach is perfection.  So much so Dr Stan ordered Palak Gosht as his main meal (with Vegetable Rice).  ‘This is better than the Bradford version ’I told Dr Stan, ‘…did I just say that?’

Hector returned to familiar ground and had the Lahori Karahi (Lamb on-the-bone with Mushroom Rice), which was delivered a decent time after our starter so as not to overload us.

Sadly the Karahi Gosht was not as powerful a taste as the Palak so the Bradford phenomenon was not repeated.  Hector ate every last grain on his plate.  The appetite had been satisfied to perfection.

As ever the staff were as friendly as ever and ensure that everything is fine, regularly.

Hassan was given his first copy of Hector’s calling card, so we await his comments.

Brainwave

Given the dominance of the strength of the Spinach Masala, Dr Stan and Hector have decided to repeat this order, but have the Kofta Palak as a Dessert!

Posted in [Cafe Salma] | Comments Off on Glasgow – Cafe Salma – Once is not enough

A Desi Curry for my wife

Posted on October 20, 2010 by Hector

Aloo-Gosht Karahi

Hector realises that with the holiday season (mid-term), he has not cooked for over a fortnight. After the sheer delight of the Curry consumed in Bradford and München and the horrors of Bamberg, he puts on his apron and creates a variation on a well tried theme.

This is a Masala, just in case there is a Chef out there who does not know what the basic Curry formula is.  (Oh, how arrogant!)

In search of ‘The Taste’

In the interim the mixed Israeli Herbs – Zahatar –  are added with the crushed tomatoes: this gives a thicker darker texture and hopefully adds to the flavour.

This is cooked for as long as patience will permit before adding the meat, Lamb on-the-bone on this occasion.

An hour at least for the Lamb to cook and the Masala to give up the excess moisture, stirring frequently… then add vegetables of choice.  Today this was a tin of potatoes and a large mushroom.

Marg took one mouthful of Curry: ‘It has taste!’  This is it, what the whole thing is about.

Not too shabby –  was Hector’s verdict.


Simples!

Posted in Hector's Cooking | Comments Off on A Desi Curry for my wife

… and guess what was for dinner at Kindrogan?

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Hector

Chicken and Pumpkin Curry!

Well given that Kadu is Pumpkin related and is used by Hector, this is not such an obscure ingredient.

 

It was a Curry for the masses, cooked to be eaten by all.  I share the frustrations of the Chef.

Fortunately  I did not have Rice in Blairgowrie.

Posted in Odds and Sods | Comments Off on … and guess what was for dinner at Kindrogan?

Serendipity in Blairgowrie – Meghna

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Hector

Today’s Curry was expected to be in Pitlochry where nobody has rated any of the houses highly.  If the road between Kirkmichael and Pitlochry had not been closed this week Hector would not have found himself in Blairgowrie.  New research unveiled two possibilities for this town, Sampan where customised orders are taken and  Meghna (4 Tannage St, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, PH10 6NQ) which, according to its website,  has reduced its prices in the recent past.  The latter was the only one open at lunchtime and was located with ease as I drove through the town yesterday.

One can be lucky in smaller settlements, Chef just might be waiting to blow your mind as is sadly no more in Memmingen.  The norm is towards disappointment, or the Bamberg Curry Experience as it may now be referred to henceforth.  If one doesn’t try it, then…

Meghna sits around 60 people in comfort and is fully licensed.   A young waiter greeted me as I entered and became the only customer.  I was offered the lunchtime special menu but declined this in favour of the full menu.  This at least meant the Chef might have to cook something.

The number of Lamb dishes was quite restricted in terms of what suits Hector.  Lamb Chops was on offer but as these would be oven cooked the Tikka effect may have come into play. (Did I actually write this back in 2010?)  Lamb Achari it is then.  This is not a dish I choose often but tend to do so when the dreaded Capsicum are included in every other dish.

There was about a ten to fifteen minute wait s one would hope. The waiter arrived with a hot plate and a china plate and warned me both were hot.  A good sign.  The meal arrived.  The Paratha was actually two small very light coloured Parathas, different.  The Curry was in a metal dish with a copper lid, suspense.

The Unveiling – Curry mit Oliven!

Gosh!  This looks good.  The Masala was rich, dark reddish-brown and was very thick with Onion and added chopped Onion.  I have never, ever had a Curry with Green Olives.

Anticipation

Given that two days ago I had an excellent Curry in my Favourite German Restaurant and on this day last week I had one of the best Bradford has to offer, there was indeed much to live up to.  Would this impress taste-wise?

This was very good.  There were oodles of flavour from the Masala.  The Lime-pickle was evident but not dominant.  Indeed, only one piece of rind was included. The Olives played their part in providing the sour Achari flavour.   The combined flavour was very good indeed.  The Parathas were sweeter than the usual and this complemented the Achari completely.

Halfway through the meal another young chap approached to ask how I was enjoying the meal.  I asked if he had cooked it.  “I did have something to do with it..”   was the reply.  He left very happy once I spoke favourably, took his photograph and gave him my calling card.

The cost of the Highland Spring sparkling mineral water was waived.  A fond farewell was exchanged.  If the pattern of this year is repeated Hector will be back.

Update

Sometime in the following months, years, Meghna and Sampan appear to have combined, with Sampan now at this locus.  As Hector visits Blairgowrie infrequently, perhaps others can explain the outcome?

Posted in Sampan / Meghna | Comments Off on Serendipity in Blairgowrie – Meghna

Indian Mango ist unser München-Curryhaus!

Posted on October 17, 2010 by Hector

Indian Mango, surely the finest Curry-Heute in München!

Hector’s Horrible Holiday to the Bocks of Bamberg drew to a close and six of us returned to München for an afternoon before our easyJet flights back to Blighty.  Hector’s previous two flights back to Edinburgh had been cancelled as is Blogged previously.  There was an air of optimism as all six of us descended upon Mr Jolly’s happy Curry Haus –  Indian Mango (Zweibruckenstrasse 15, Isartor,  Deutches Museum)   just after 13.00.  Mein Host, Mr Jolly’s very able assistant was there to serve us.  It was the ideal sceanrio of select from the menu if you wish, or else, just ask.

Lord Clive and Maggie both went for the Butter Chicken.  Maggie had sampled Marg’s on a previous visit.  Maggie knew what she was having and was not disappointed.  ‘Marvelous!’, ‘perfectly fine’ was the combined verdict.

The Chettinad Options

Howard knew that never having eaten the Fish Chettinad he had been missing out.  Howard hates to miss out.  He forewent a trip to Kloster Andechs in order to enjoy this meal.  What is happening?  This is one of the truly outstanding dishes Hector has ever eaten.

Howard was in full flow as he described his meal: “Spicy but subtle; the Fish was delicate and absorbed the flavours without being overpowered.”  I could not have put it better myself.

Juliet took Steve’s advice and had the Lamm Chettinad (Scharf).  This restaurant was Steve’s home from home two summers ago.  “Aagh…” was the first description coming from Hector’s right.”…bursting with flavour…lovely heat…in your face…”  Hector can concur, he was permitted to partake of the last morsels on Juliet’s plate – this is a truly outstanding dish also.  Two in one restaurant!  OK, it is the same Curry with different ‘meats’.

On a scale of 1 – 10 how unique is this…?

Hector decided to stick with the Bindi Gosht (Scharf). There was method in his madness.  Hopefully this would be the first of two visits to Indian Mango Heute!

I avoided the generous quantity of Lamm and took in the excellent Masala.  Such a unique flavour.  The it was the Okra, again cut into smaller pieces.  More flavours erupted on the palate.  Finally the meat.  Just how can the Lamb retain the distinct Mutton flavour whist clearly have taken in the copious herbs and spices that had been introduced so cleverly in the preparation?

This indeed is the wonder of Curry!

Postscript

At 17.15 in the Augustiner Grossgastatte, Maggie suggested we return to Mango for visit #2.  I reminded her of Hector’s Rules.  She was serious!  Clive did not mind.  Hector declined the offer.

There, it is written: Hector refused a Curry in one of the best Curry Houses he has ever set foot in.  I was still full.

It was time to go home and this time Mr Stelios  did take me back to Scotland.

Posted in [Indian Mango] | Comments Off on Indian Mango ist unser München-Curryhaus!

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.

Posted in Swarg | Comments Off on Swarg, Bamberg’s only and worst Curry Haus!

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…

Posted in [Lahori Hajweri (formerly Indien Express)] | Comments Off on Indien Express now called Lahori Hajweri

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?

Posted in International | Comments Off on The International, Bradford’s Finest Restaurant?

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.

Posted in Karachi Restaurant | Comments Off on Curry-Heute.com : The First Bradford Blog

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.

Posted in [The Mogul] | Comments Off on York – The Mogul – The Biennial Trip with Marion and Graeme