Curry-Heute

Well it must be the Fish :  ‘Ravi Machi’.

What is better than a Curry-Heute to celebrate the day that the Website curry-heute.com takes over from the old Blog address?  There is a distinct need for a proper Homepage but hopefully Bob will help build it.  Everything that was on the original Blog is now here, and more!  Hopefully the beautiful orange hues (Hector’s colours!) will in time replace the chocolate you may be experiencing.

Hector and Marg out midweek?  We are off to see Gong, it is some 35years since Hector saw the Steve Hillage band at The Kelvin Hall.  The Gong experience would be new.

We received the usual warm Cafe Salma welcome  (523 Sauchiehall St, G3 7PQ).  The complementary poppadom and chutneys arrived as we took our seats.  Marg spotted the Lamb Lahori Karahi (off-the-bone) and Hector ordered the planned Ravi Machi: Garlic, Ginger, Tomatoes, Peppers, Onions and Fish Special Masala.  They were of course able to make this without the dreaded Capsicum.  The Mushroom Rice and  the always impressive Garlic and Coriander were ordered to share, perfect.

Hector has rarely seen Marg demolish a Curry so quickly and in its entirety, so I can make no comment as to the quality of the Lahori Karahi Curry-Heute as there was none to spare.  The Ravi Machi certainly looked the part.  This is my first Fish Curry in a restaurant since the outstanding Chettinad at the Mango in Muenchen.  Fish changes the entire nature of a Curry.  There is an expectation of Salt but they usually end up with a very pleasant sweet aftertaste: this was no exception.  The sauce was relatively thick; there was a decided presence of Onion.  Perhaps this was more evident since I had the meal to suit my disgust at Capsicum.

Hector will order this again.

In six visits to Cafe Salma I have yet to be anything but impressed.  The welcome by the staff and the efficiency of the service is possibly the best in Glasgow.  There was disappointment on Hassan’s face when we asked for the bill to make our escape.  No time for coffee and dessert: we are off to see Gong!

This is how to make a Happy old Hector.

We are not going to The Village today after all.

It is written that as Lord Clive has not been to this very fine venue: so he shall go to the ball.

This was evidently Hector’s first ever trip to the city of Glasgow. Having bailed the train at Partick, Hector and Clive waited for a bus to take them towards Café Salma (523 Sauchiehall St, G3 7PQ). It is all to do with being in possession of a day bus ticket. Hector had never heard of the number 8 bus. ‘There is a 50% chance this bus will go along Sauchiehall St, a 50 % chance this bus will go along Argyle St, and a 1% chance it will turn up Byres Rd.’ Hector told Lord Clive.
So we walked back down Byres Rd and took the 16 to Sauchiehall St. Meanwhile Steve was speeding along Dumbarton Rd in the 62 which arrived in front of our 16. He could not work out why we did not see him and did not take the first bus. Steve arrived at Café Salma ‘ages’ before Hector and Lord Clive who managed to alight one stop too early. Hector needs a curry.
The staff did the inevitable double take as we walked in and joined Steve. ‘Are you still here’ Hector asked before our waiter started his patter.
This was a day of recommendations. Hector related that the Lahori Karahi and the Garam Masala were tried and tested. Our waiter, and why did I not ask him his name, told Steve that I would know best what to have.

The Big Breakfast
Hector ordered what he came for, the Lamb on-the-bone- Ginger Lime, but was almost distracted by the ‘Hot spicy Korma’. With help from the waiter, Steve ordered the Lamb Lahori Karahi off-the-bone and Lord Clive ordered the Chicken Lahori Karahi off-the-bone. Mushroom Rice, two Fried Rice a Keema Nan (For Clive) and a Garlic and Coriander Nan (for Steve) were the accompaniments. Where do people get an appetite like this so early in the day. This was breakfast.

We witnessed an ongoing cleaning operation whilst we waited, so hygiene levels are high. Take-aways were phoned in and collected. Another couple were seated soon adjacent to our window seat. We were not the only nutters having Curry at 13.00.

Lamb Lahori Karahi

The camera was inadequate in savouring the moment of the arrival of the Curry. Perhaps movie clips will have to be considered. The dishes were sizzling. Once again Hector could sense the level of anticipation of the assembled three rising.
There are times when ‘silence’ says it all. This was one of these times.

Chicken Lahori Karahi

There are times when ‘silence’ says it all. This was one of these times. Lord Clive knows his Glasgow Curry well: the Pholan Devi at The Alishan, the Dry Lamb Bhuna at Mrs Majhus (oh please bring this back) and The Village. He was once again impressed by what Glasgow has to offer. Steve agreed that he would be back.

The Ginger Lime has yogurt but in a minimal way. It is not a creamy dish at all. There is a thickness to the Masala that could not be achieved without the inclusion of dairy produce; however it in no way dominates. The Lamb as ever was cooked to perfection. The question of how much meat and how much bone is something Hector’s brain cannot stop considering whilst the meal is consumed. In the end there was some of the excellent Mushroom Rice left on the plate. The conclusion is that the portion size was therefore perfect. Hector was more than satisfied.

Hector realises that this has probably become his favourite Curry House north of the River.
And so what now? Well there is the not so small matter of Bier today; 30 litres of Pyraser Landbier awaits us on the South Side.

It is the weekend, surely time for a Curry-Heute? Well Dr Stan thinks so, he has texted Hector suggesting a pre Bon Accord Curry. Perhaps the thought of 100 Polis invading our local is too much. Perhaps he is ensuring that Hector has ballast before watching Lithuania play Scotland. If Scotland play as poorly as in their last match, Hector could be arrested.
It is excellent for Hector to learn something from his own Blog. He has forgotten that the Lahori Karahi may not be the signature dish at Cafe Salma (523 Sauchiehall St, G3 7PQ).
The plan this evening is to return to the Cafe Salma for the Lamb Garam Masala, on-the-bone of course. The Garlic and Coriander Nan is something the house is proud of. Hector plans to have Rice at The Village tomorrow with Lord Clive before the demolition of the Pyraser Landbier. Yadgar could not provide us with a meal before 1400. Too late by far, this is the time for the tapping of the barrel.

Hector arrived early and was immediately presented with complementary Popadoms and Chutneys. This gave me time to actually read the menu. Having had only the two dishes in previous visits it is evident that this place has much more to offer. How soon can Hector return to sample the Ginger Lime or the Ravi Machi?
Dr Stan arrived exactly at 1800 and perused the menu. When I described Mr Holden’s statement that Koftas are apparently rare in Bradford he decided that the Palak Kofta had to be his choice. Hector has yet to see appreciate the fascination with meat balls, it is only mince after all. Dr Stan decided to have his Kofta ‘off-the-bone’.

Lamb Garam Masala

The meals came soon. They looked magnificent; the waiter could clearly see the delight. He was proud of what he was presenting, and why not?
Sucking Lamb off the bone is best done by eating with ones fingers. Absolute joy. The Garlic on the Garlic and Coriander Nan was to the fore. For hours afterwards Hector was licking his lips. The portion size turned out to be perfect.
Both plates were returned with not a scrap on them. Dr Stan may not be the most exuberant chap in Glasgow, however it was evident that he thoroughly enjoyed his first visit to Café Salma.

Kofta Palak

‘I might be back.’ Hector told the waiters on his exit.

Every day is a good day to eat Curry.