Perth, a city in Scotland – Tabla Indian Restaurant

Posted on May 25, 2010 by Hector

This week Hector did his research.

Marg had a hockey meeting in Perth, she was afraid of falling asleep at the wheel, so Hector was engaged to ride shotgun: a chance to experience a Curry in a town where I have not eaten for twenty years. Tabla (173 South St, Perth) looked the most interesting and had better reviews online than the other restaurant along the street, or the Indian Buffet.

Hector was standing at the window looking at all of the offers: lunch, pre-theatre, midweek – is this place struggling? The waiter came out to the street and invited me in, a welcome.

The menu was brought and there was a plethora of Chicken. The usual,  – we can prepare any of the above in Lamb or King Prawn – was not evident. I was about to select a Seafood Combination when the waiter made the ultimate offer: the chef is happy to cook to order – …so…Lamb, dry sauce, herbs, reasonably hot…was the order. The waiter wrote nothing down. A Vegetable Pilau Rice was to be the accompaniment. Squid Pakora! Hector has never experienced this, so at the risk of being too full, this had to be included.

The Squid is off –  and so with the guarantee that – Salmon Pakora is fantastic –  a replacement was ordered. This could turn out to be very filling.

There was time to notice that the clientele was Asian only.

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Pieces of salmon in batter..is this really Pakora? It was not Special, and certainly not  – Fantastic.

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 A very Wet Curry was then brought: which part of – Dry – did I not communicate? Unusually, I tasted the Vegetable Rice first, it was excellent, the Vegetables had not been overcooked, there was a hint of clove.
This turned out to be a tasty meal, I suspect it was the Rice that gave the Curry a boost. I could have eaten more which is unusual having had the Starter and also given the filling nature of Salmon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A mature Scots couple came in with a voucher. In discussion with the very attentive waiter they remarked that the place has changed hands frequently. It was also established that the waiter is indeed from India.

The Clove ingredient is starting to puzzle me, too much and a dish is killed. Is there a balance with Cloves and Methi? Is this where my fantasy taste originates?
There will be experimentation…

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Curry-Heute : Curried Eggs

Posted on May 24, 2010 by Hector

For a change a – Curry – that is definitely not Indian in origin.

The recipe is based on Apple and Onion. Usually I make this with Pork Chops, but since this posting would have the recipe I decided to go back and make a grand version with the Hard Boiled Eggs.

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Nando’s, NOT a curry!

Posted on May 23, 2010 by Hector

Today Hector was dragged from his bed early in the morning and he was not going to an airport: instead he was being persuaded up a mountain…

Clydesdale Hockey Club (male), incorporating Glasgow Western Hockey Club (female) were having a sponsored walk to raise money for a new pitch. Marg was determined to get me up the hill.

Arrive Alive

It was not the happiest of experiences after twenty minutes or so when the near vertical climb from Succoth (sea level)at 10.30 up to the edge of the hanging valley nearly finished me. The next hour was easy and after a brief lunch stop it was another vertical climb to the summit (984m) arriving at 13.50. The path was barely existent and there were rock fields to negotiate.





Hector has climbed his first Munro,: the reward was a visit to Nando’s!

Nando’s is not a curry house but a chain with a South African/Portuguese origin. The number of branches in the UK has mushroomed in recent years. The black flag chicken is wild: this is hotter than any curry.

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Urban Pind

Posted on May 22, 2010 by Hector

The Urban Pind (18 Candleriggs G1 1LD, Glasgow) was not necessarily Hector’s Curry-Heute destination, however having spotted the poster on Trongate it appeared to be the obvious place to go.
The board outside says the lunch menu was available until three with the main meals available after three. The presented menu in the restaurant stated that the main menu is available all day. One had to investigate this excellent looking offer. The Hind Thali is recommended by waiter over the Karahi Thali.
£6.95 including a soft drink and tea afterwards…I await the portion.
Meanwhile Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is the music, I like this place.

Gosh…two pieces each of chicken and vegetable Pakora.
A korma style sauce over Kadu and mushroom is served hot as one of the sides. Three pieces fresh nan and the main dish…well it was on the bland side and was not as hot as the graded menu choices would have suggested.

This may not be the best Curry in Glasgow… but value for money? Sensational!

Initial text and photo posted live in the restaurant!

So,are Candleriggs Curries overrated?

Hector and Marg tried the Dhabba early in 2009. We assumed it must have been the Chef’s night off as the dishes served were unremarkable. Hector tried this one Saturday afternoon in December and it was the same outcome. The press and other Glasgow Curry web sites suggest that these Curry Houses on Candleriggs are outstanding. Hector awaits convincing.

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Wir essen Curry Heute im den Rathaus!

Posted on May 21, 2010 by Hector

A return to The Village

Three weeks since Hector’s last visit to the ‘Glasgow Mecca‘, well the publicity has not be that sensational in recent times. The café has clearly now met the approval of those who decide when our health and safety are not being compromised and so it is business as usual.

The Board had Aloo Gosht, it must be matter of days since I had this, I must like it, because there was nothing else going to interest me: lamb on the bone in one of my favourite sauces.

Jonathan ordered the Chicken Tawa then changed his mind when we were asked if I wanted mine on the bone or off. Jonathan would have preferred the ‘off the bone’ version of Aloo Gosht but the waiter had not heard him, he is a quiet chap after all. And so Chicken Tawa it was to be.

We sat in companionable silence and ate. It was towards the end game when Hector announced that this was comfort eating.
It has been written before; it will hopefully continue to be written: The Village serves the best curry in Glasgow.

 

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Symington – Balbir’s Route 77 – On the way to Prestwick Airport

Posted on May 20, 2010 by Hector

This is one of three Balbir’s experienced by Hector

Since Mr O’Leary changed Hector’s life some ten years ago, Balbir’s Route 77, on the A77 between Glasgow and Prestwick Airport has been passed more times than I can remember. However as the train usually takes us down it has mostly been seen in the other direction when Marg picks us up from our foreign sojourns. The fancy for a curry after a trip has been confirmed too often by the sight of this building 8km north of the airport, alas it is on the other side of the dual carriageway and so has always been passed at high speed.

We had considered today’s treat being at The Turban in Eastwood but the online menu did not grab me and so at the last minute a long-ish drive for a curry appeared to be a worthwhile suggestion. It was a pleasant spring evening and in Scotland at this time of year the sun is shining until after 21.00.
Hector should have done more research.

We were asked if we wanted the menu: as I do not particularly enjoy the general blandness of buffets we accepted the menu. I did not see a buffet set up on the way in but had not realised what the alternative was. Nor did anyone try to tell us.
The Lamb Tava looked to be the most likely dish that this commentator would order: Lamb fillet pan fried with onions, peppers and fresh herbs. I verified that the quoted Peppers were Capsicums. The waiter struggled to understand that I did not want these in a Curry. He told me they were already in and could not be taken out.

I did not believe this for a minute.

Hector settled for the Lamb Chilli Ginger: lamb cooked in a rich tarka bhoona base with plenty of fresh ginger and sliced green chillies. Marg was going to have this, but being the delightful lady she is, opted for the Chicken Parsi: chicken breast cooked to a sweet and sour flavour with chillies and coconut.

An enjoyable Pakora was wolfed whilst we waited for the main event. There were certainly more pieces served than in our last outing.
The Lamb Chilli Ginger did have a very pleasant kick and its appearance looked as though it had certainly been freshly prepared. The dish was enjoyable but not sensational.

The Chicken Parsi certainly had a kick, Marg kept telling me this. One must congratulate the chef for serving a coconut curry with a kick, why should Korma-style dishes always be mild?
The plates were cleaned, the volume was just a shade less than total satisfaction.

This was when Hector realised that the research should have been done in advance AND the staff could have been more communicative.
Apparently, in the first five years of this venue being open, there was no menu. The Chef cooked whatever one asked for. This is now described as – The Banquet. This was not at all visible from our table at the far wall. No offer was made. No price was quoted: it could well have been worth it, I do not know. However, the thought of the Chef preparing a Bradford-style Curry to my specifications, with loads of Methi and a dry sauce…well… We could have had the Fish too!

Those of you paying attention will realise that when the waiter said I could not have the Lamb Tava without Capsicums…

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Shenaz (Granville Street)

Posted on May 19, 2010 by Hector

Does one visit mean many?

Jonathan writes: Continuing the celebration of my escape, amongst other things, Kari, John and myself visited one of Glasgow’s oldest curry houses, the Shenaz in Granville Street.

This must have been the first Indian restaurant I visited, some time in the 70’s. As such, it is a place that I always view with a certain level of nostalgia. It has had some ups and downs over the years, but fortunately, it seems to be fairly consistent again.

On to the food itself – I had to start with the vegetable pakora – possibly one of the finest examples of this style of food. Kari joined me – John, being different, had chicken pakora. I heard no complaints!

Turning to main courses, as befits an old-established restaurant, both Kari and I opted for a traditional dish – dansac (one chicken, one lamb). John had a chicken tikka dish. Chapatis, rice and a nan were the chosen accompaniments. The dansac was rich and full of flavour – slightly mild for my tastes, but this was my fault as I did not order it hot!

I think the three clean plates at the end speak to the quality of the food on offer. Although this is no longer my favourite restaurant, it is still worth a visit.

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Mister Singh’s India (Elderslie Street)

Posted on May 18, 2010 by Hector

Escaped at last!

Jonathan writes: I know that the intention of this blog is to record every curry. As hopefully nobody else will have to endure the lamb curry at the Southern General, a photo will suffice!
One of the first things to do after my release was to seek a curry. In the spirit of Curry-heute, I decided to try somewhere different. Accompanied by John, I visited Mister Singh’s for their lunch.
This is another restaurant that offers haggis pakora (as well as offering haggis curries!). Despite this simply being haggis in batter, I thought it made a good starter, particularly when paired with a complementary cup of Indian Chicken soup.
For main courses, I ordered chicken Malaider (spinach puree with garlic, green chillies and cream). John ordered chicken Ambala (described as “authentic, rich and flavoursome”). Both were well prepared and tasty, although they both lacked that special taste.
On the face of it, the lunch menu was reasonably priced – £8.95 per head for three courses. The sundries were overpriced – £3.95 for 2 poppadoms with spices. Worse, however, was the cost of drinks. I object to paying over the odds for soft drinks. £1.50 for a glass of soda water and lime is grossly excessive. When I challenged the manager, he tried to say that licensing laws prevented them from reducing drinks prices! I’ve never heard of licensing laws affecting the sale of soft drinks… As a result of this blatant rip off, I will not return to this establishment, nor will I recommend it to others.
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Aloo Gosht – The Clydebank Version

Posted on May 15, 2010 by Hector








There was of course a Hector Curry Heute to accompany the best Bier on the planet…
The Aloo Gosht was started on Thursday and left to ferment for two days..


We left some for Jonathan…

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Glasgow – The Wee Curry Shop (Ashton Lane)

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Hector

Hector realises that it is the Curry portion which is – Wee

No Curry since last Saturday, what is a Hector to do? Fortunately Marg suggested eating out. If she was paying, Nando’s, else I choose, I pay.
And so back to The Wee Curry Shop in Ashton Lane to see if the Methi Gosht was a fluke.

The Haggis Pakora to start was over £5 for five pieces of what was essentially the same as any chip shop would serve: haggis in batter.
To the main course(s): Butter Chicken with Asparagus was too much for Marg to resist, there was no resistance. The foil wrapped Chicken again made me wonder if this has been – brought in – from outside. I had a taste at the outset, too sweet for the Hector.
The Methi Gosht tasted great but there was once more an issue about the size of the portion. As reported the – pre-theatre menu – was small, portion wise, but there was little excuse for this. Over £9 for eight pieces of Lamb. Papa Gills remains the best place in the West End for quantity.
The accompanying rice – to be shared – was insultingly small, this is never the case at The Village. The Paratha was the saving grace.


Hector and Marg both destroyed what was before them. Hector even mopped up an extra piece of Marg’s Chicken. Did we enjoy our meal? Well, yes, but… there could have been much more. The Asparagus turned out to be a mere three spikes…
£35 for a midweek snack…Hector’s mental arithmetic is trying to work if two pre-theatre menus is a better deal than one meal off the main menu.

And so we went down to the University Café at the bottom of Byres Rd to recapture the days of yore and enjoy the best ice cream in Glasgow. Fear not, there will be no ice cream blog!

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Meanwhile back in Clydebank something is brewing for Saturday…

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