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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Asha’s, a Birmingham Curry House

Posted on September 27, 2010 by Hector

A visit to the land of Balti

There was a four hour stopover at Birmingham for those of us returning to Glasgow. The Bad Boys’ Club decided to convene a meeting of Bier today at the Wellington on Bennett’s Hill. Hector accompanied them to the centre of town and decided once again to trust Google maps.  With more time I would have gone to the more outlying districts which other sources recommend.  This was pot luck.  Asha’s – Contemporary Indian Cuisine (Edmund House, 12-22 Newhall Street, Birmingham, B3 3LX)  was the closest to my present locus.

It is possibly ten years or more since Hector last had a stopover in Birmingham.  Then I selected the first Balti House outside of New St Station.  Hector has done Balti.

The venue was most impressive.  The size and set up suggested that clearly this was a city centre establishment of some note.  A charming lady greeted me and took me to table.  She offered me the laminated lunchtime menu.  Now why was this?  I established later that the a la carte was available, so why presume?  I would probably have chosen differently.  There were set menus on offer and I missed these.

The Kebab Platter was ordered as the starter and the Panjim Fish Curry to follow.

Poppadoms and a yogurt style sauce were brought almost immediately.  This gave me the chance to see more reviews of where I was.  Many people like this place.  The lunch menu at £12.95 was looking as though it could be good value.

The music being played was great, not the usual Bollywood high pitched vocals but a mellow almost Indian Jazz meets Progressive Rock.  I wish I knew what it was.

Kebab Platter

The Platter arrived: The Chicken Malai Kebab was a single piece of almost Tikka Chicken, very white but effective.  The Lamb Seekh Kebab was small but spicy, I was enjoying myself.  The single King Prawn Tikka had to be kept until last: this was succulent, excellent.

The main course came. 

Panjim Fish Curry

Hector was immediately disappointed: why make a sauce so thin?  This was  typically close ot that which features in a  Nihari.  It was effectively a stew sauce but not necessarily of the poor – Bistro – type.

The Pilau Rice had a slight edge to it, perhaps added Cumin?  The portion was excessive for one person.  The Chapatti was more like crispbread: why this was served so brittle Hector does not know, unless they think Rothi is something decidedly different?

As I ate the Fish there was a modicum of taste.  The experience was pleasant but by this time I was wondering what else I could have ordered.

 In the intervening hours since completing the meal two things have happened.  The sauce did have Curry leaves in it.  The taste of these has lingered for hours.  If it is possible for the taste of a Curry to improve on the palate in the aftermath then this is what happened.  I became much more appreciative of the meal as time passed.

Secondly, having had the chance to look at Asha’s website, it is evident that I would not have chosen any other dish.  The menu is decidedly straightforward.

The Bill

£12.95.  My Sparkling Water was included in the £12.95 charge.  The number of places that rip customers off on soft drinks is outrageous throughout the land.  This was another positive note.  The meal was certainly value for money and in the end enjoyable.

Update 2011

Tom Cruise, an actor, visited Asha’s and ordered Chicken Tikka Masala.  He enjoyed it so much he ordered it again. Was this a stunt?

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When is Curry not a Curry ?

Posted on September 26, 2010 by Hector

When it’s a Thai!

Today Steve and Hector left our suburban accommodation and found ourselves once again  in the Hauptbahnhof.   The main stations of Germany offer an array of food way beyond anything available across the UK.  Burger King, Salad Rolls, Wurst (assorted), Pork, more Pork or the Asian outlet?

A Thai Green Curry was ordered and the platter presented.  There was minimal Chicken and an abundance of Cauliflower and Bamboo Shoots.   The Coconut sauce took Hector back to Sri Lanka.  Steve added some fiery Chilli, this did the trick.

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Stuttgart – Prince of India

Posted on September 25, 2010 by Hector

Another very wet day

 The previous afternoon there was a Bier at the former Memmingen Tandoori house.  Google Maps yet again gave bogus information: there is apparently no Rita’s Garden in Stuttgart, so no Friday Curry.

Saturday lunch inevitably became finally time for a Curry-Heute.  To say it was wet in Stuttgart would be an understatement.  The Canstatter Wasen went ahead, and Steve and Hector headed out in the rain in search of a Curry.

Prince of India (Urbanstrasse 38, 70182, Stuttgart-Mitte, Deutschland) can afford to advertise on the escalators to the U Bahn, they also appear on the giveaway city map.  Hector would have preferred seeking out somewhere more remote and even down market, but it was wet…

We were the first customers of the day at 13.00.

 The venue is evidently a genuine Indian Restaurant.  The menu was familiar.

Hector ordered a Lamb Bhuna with Aloo Paratha to accompany,

Steve went for the Palak Gosht and a Nan.  When they came there was a bountiful portion of Boiled Rice served too.

Lamb Bhuna

The meals looked to have been well prepared, however there was far too much sauce for a so called Bhuna.  The initial taste raised my expectations.  Had I discovered another outstanding meal?  In the end I concluded not: good but not outstanding.  Indeed the eventual conclusion was that this was actually a Rogan Josht, or it would have been anywhere else.

Palak Gosht

Steve’s meal looked promising: a thick, dark sauce as one would expect with Spinach.  Steve’s verdict : Pleasant, the sauce looked the deal, but there was too much of it, an OK taste.

The Aloo Paratha is worth a special mention.  Served in quarters is something I find annoying.  Give Hector the whole thing and let him tear it up.  However this was not just piping hot at the start but it retained its heat longer than I have ever encountered.  How did they achieve this?

By the time we left 15 more people had come into the restaurant.  I have never witnessed this many people in a German Curry Haus this early in the day.

The overall verdict has to be a positive one.

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Clydebank – Diva – and no Dumpling

Posted on September 22, 2010 by Hector

A very wet dayAn after school meeting followed by a wild goose chase around the Gareloch meant a Curry-Heute treat by Marg was inevitable.  This must also be the wettest day this year in the West of Scotland.  Helensburgh’s weather forecast even rated a mention in the main BBC Breakfast TV bulletin.

The menu for Diva (7 Stewart St, Clydebank, G81 4AD) came through the door a few weeks ago.  Last year Marg and I paid the premises a visit, it was closed.  We established at the end of the meal whilst chatting to the owner that they have only been re-opened a matter of months.

This is a cavernous venue with a tiny entrance.  They advertise themselves as selling Indian and Italian Cuisine.  As we walked down the narrow ramp to the main room it was evident that despite being midweek and early evening, there was a crowd.  A fortieth birthday party was underway featuring an extended family with loads of wee girls ranging from tots to teens.  Enough to ruin any meal out.

No, we are not having The Buffet!Vegetable Pakora was ordered, to share.  We were ravenous.  The Pakora inevitably arrived with a very large portion of Onion Chutney and two Poppadoms, complimentary of course.

Marg decided that Chicken Tikka Masala was her dish of choice for the evening.  She also managed to pick out my selection: Tender Lamb Pardesi (hot).  This was the standout dish on the menu: a rich Curry with additional fried Onions & Mushrooms, cooked with Spinach & a hint of Ginger & Garlic.

Three Chapattis and the Special Pilau Fried Rice were to share.  Of course this was far too much.

Chicken Tikka MasalaMarg was impressed with her Tikka Masala, it was thick, creamy and had a kick. 

Tender Lamb Pardesi

We could smell the Pardesi before it arrived.  This was a good sign.  The appearance was superb.   Indeed the Masala was thick, dark, and the Vegetables were evident in the mash.

On dipping the first Chapatti Hector received a good blast of the burnt Spinach.  A Curry with taste, and not in a café!  Not only this, but a Clydebank Curry which is not a clone of every other outlet in the town.

Without the freshly cooked Pakora we would have demolished the lot.  However, we had been that hungry on our arrival.  The meat content was most impressive.  Only at Papa Gill’s can Hector remember receiving a larger portion of Lamb.

The offer of complimentary drinks on asking for the bill was appreciated and declined.  It is midweek after all: we are professional!

Hector has to recommend  Diva as being the provider of the best Curry he has tasted in Clydebank to date.

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To The Village, and step on it

Posted on September 19, 2010 by Hector

Time to Wolf down a Curry Heute

After the Wolfer Strassenfest the perfect end to the weekend had to be a lunch at The Village (129 Nelson St, Glasgow, G5 8DZ).

Two consecutive early rises: what a man has to do to get to the Mosel.  Bier today will have the account of the best wine festival on the Mosel.  Marg collected Hector at Edinburgh Airport and dropped him at The Village as she sped off to play hockey (she won 8-1 today).

The Board is back ; Lb Aloo


Selecting my favourite table for one I spotted there was writing on The Board: Lb Aloo.  The waiter assured me it was indeed Lamb.  A ‘Spicy’ Lb Aloo and Vegetable Rice was ordered.

I am back home, I know this is going to be good.

Hector was quite surprised by the meal when Mr Baig himself brought it to the table.  The meat was Lamb Chops and the Masala was in the Nahiree (thin) style.  Hector has yet to have the Lamb Chop Curry that has appeared on the Board.  Or was this it?  The sauce was not oily as in the other Desi dishes.  It did have the signature Village taste.

Hector does not normally eat this close after noon at the weekend.  The meal appeared to be mountainous.  Lamb and Potato are a classic combination.  This was sheer pleasure.

Minding one’s own business and eating at The Village on a Sunday lunchtime, perfect.

The Village ‘In the Park’

Hector had a fairly lengthy chat with Mr Baig after the meal.  The new premises are coming along, the windows are in place and the façade is going to match the existing stonework on the original building. ‘Soon’ was only date forthcoming for the new opening.

There was an event at Bellahouston Park on Thursday.  Hector had pontificated on the day about the ringing of the cash register as the massed hoard assembled and departed from their sermon on the mount.  Mr Baig stated that they did not have a single customer on Thursday; he had anticipated big business and had set the place up accordingly.  In the end he lost a lot of money.

How could this be?  Blessed are the Curry eaters.

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