Back in Blighty for exactly one month, Hector’s itchy feet needed a scratch. A well known and reliable Curry Blog reveals that the Hector has avoided going to Aberdeen for some sixteen months. Actually it’s not the city that is being avoided, just the daytime distractions. It’s a pity the weather forecast was not studied before agreeing to travel. Whilst there is presently no sign of summer across the UK, the north-east of Scotland is experiencing stormy weather, Aberdoom.
The fourth, and final night, was the first Curry opperchancity, Rehmat’s Restaurant (249 George St., Aberdeen AB25 1ED Scotland), once again the chosen venue. A first visit for Euan, second for Graeme, third for Hector, and fourth for Marg. Desi-style Curry at sensible prices is the attraction. Having been told oft by a certain restaurateur in Glasgow about ongoing rising costs, there was no surprise in noting a 50% increase in price on the new menu for some items since the last visit. Rehmat’s remains competitive in this city where prices can be inexplicably high and portions small. The majority of the population cannot be oil workers.
The rendezvous was at 18.00. We parked on George Street opposite – The Blue Elephant – which must be a relatively new venue. There – Punjabi Korma – is on the menu, the efficacy of this claim will have to be investigated. Maybe another trip up north in the autumn will be required?
A young lady, front of house at Rehmat’s, directed us through the ice-cream parlour to the restaurant at the rear of the premises. There, we were invited to choose any table in the empty room. Instead of a booth for four, we chose a larger table, none of us chaps are getting any smaller.
The heart sank when I realised a young girl was going to serve us. Rarely do they know the food on offer, today’s struggled to understand what was meant by Sparkling Water. Not the best of starts. That we were waiting for two more diners also appeared to confuse. Graeme, who arrived dressed for a hill walk, will wish me to relate that Euan was last to arrive. Euan had opted for the giant umbrella this evening.
Graeme and Euan would share a jug of tap water. The reservoirs of Aberdeenshire have been well topped up in the last two days.
Fish Karahi (£11.95), is why the Hector was keen to return here. So few venues in Britain get this right. Mushroom Rice (£4.75) is new to the menu, and more typically priced for this city. Maybe prices at Rehmat’s were unrealistically low previously?
Normally, I would bring up – Desi – at the time of ordering. Extra Desi/Apna – as last time, would have added confusion to the moment.
Marg was sticking to her favourite Keema Peas (£10.95) and a Chapatti (£1.20). I do not believe any other Aberdoom Curry House serves a Chapatti/Roti at this price, think double, at least.
Graeme chose Nihari (£14.95) and Mushroom Rice, whilst Euan took advice and ordered Bhindi Gosht (£14.95) with Pulao Rice (£3.50).
Note the realistic price of the Keema in comparison to the other mains, and also the Fish Karahi being significantly cheaper than the Lamb. OK, we are close to the fishing ports, but the Hector always highlights the inflated price of Fish in British Curry Houses, not the case in other lands.
I bring everything together? – asked our young waitress.
Really?
Just how else could this Order be served? Time would tell.
As we waited, so five other customers arrived, each here for the Buffet that was slowly being assembled. We were not offered Buffet, not that we would have chosen it. Research shows Rehmat’s serving a Ramadan Buffet (£17.95) at weekends. Today is Wednesday.
Ramadan is over for this year, the Buffet maintains. The young lady we had seen front of house was responsible for managing the Buffet. I asked if I could take photos – I’ll explain why later.
Over the next hour, I secured the necessaries, with Keema Peas and Aloo Gobi present, Marg and Hector could have done serious damage here. Despite this being only Hector’s third visit, it now makes sense to create Rehmat’s Restaurant page for – Hector’s Recommended Curry Houses. There is sufficient photographic coverage at Rehmat’s to facilitate this, and more importantly, the Curry is already regarded as justifying this addition. Only in Glasgow is the rule of five applied strictly.
It was approaching 19.00 when hot plates were brought to the table followed by the Mushroom Rice portions and Hector’s Curry. As the rest was brought, Euan’s missing Pulao became an issue. That our Curry was not brought in minutes as experienced last week at Murphy’s Pakora Bar (Glasgow) last week, gives credence to the claim for the food being cooked to order, i.e. – properly.
The phone ringing also interrupted the delivery of the Order. Crazy. This is a universal problem. Why, in any shop, does the ringing phone have to be answered whilst those present are ignored?
The Mushroom Rice was appropriately Spiced. The Mushrooms would add another solid, another Texture, to the overall experience. Once decanted, the portion hardly covered the plate. Tasty Rice, but a somewhat stingy portion. The Pulao, once it arrived, proved to be a bit more substantial.
The Chapatti, served whole, was of the Wholemeal variety and a decent size. This suited Marg, the Hector prefers white Chapatti flour.
I had all of my Order, time to tear in.
Fish Karahi
Topped with fresh Coriander, there was minimal Masala present as is the Hector preference. The surplus Oil was already separating and is seen around the periphery of the handi. Once decanted, the Fish content impressed as did the overall appearance. This was right up there with the best of the Fish Karahi as served in Bradford Curry Houses.
Some of the White Fish was flaked, most was in small pieces. The food was hot, a major plus. The Spice, never discussed at the point of ordering, was not demanding, but would build to a decent level. Soft Fish, White Fish, one day I’ll discover what it is.
The Seasoning was a tad low, but not such that the sense of this being a Fish Curry was lost. Too often I have had Fish Curry with little/no sense of – fishiness. The Flavours here were not intense, but this was still a damn good Curry. No – wow! – today, just a Curry to savour. Had there been more, I could have savoured it longer. Let the reader note that I had to travel to Aberdeen to secure a Fish Karahi of this quality, Glasgow Curry Houses do not serve this.
Keema Peas
This is how a Keema is meant to look. So why do so many venues serve it wet? Sliced Onions had been cooked in with the Peas. Marg:
A good dish of Keema and Peas. Very dry and I was glad to have bread not rice. Very spicy with chilli flakes. I missed the rich flavour found in other Keemas.
An enjoyable meal.
No Methi?
Nihari
How different is this? Having established that Sheerin Palace (Glasgow) has this on most days, the Hector may well be revisiting this unique Curry soon.
The Toppings were complex: abundant Coriander, Ginger Strips and a slice of Lemon. Lamb Shank is the customary cut associated with Nihari, this evidently was not. The Lamb was served on a big bone, but having a somewhat incomplete knowledge of the anatomy of a sheep, this t-bone with two prongs was identified as being something else.
The Shorva was gravy-esque. This is the correct Masala for Nihari, and some eat it with Bread. Graeme, having ordered Mushroom Rice, had a dilemma. Decanting the Meat and Shorva to the Rice was one option. Spooning the Rice into the Shorva, the alternative. Graeme chose the latter, laborious, less messy. Graeme:
Mushroom Rice was excellent. Nihari was well cooked with very tender lamb and a hint of ginger.
Bhindi Gosht
The new menu has corrected the spelling. Piled high, – towering – was noted. 
The wedge of Tomato with the Coriander made this Curry look special. With the Okra pieces protruding from the mass of Curry, an Interesting Vegetable to provide extra Texture. The Minimal Masala confirmed the efficacy of this Curry. This had the appearance of quality Curry. Euan:
Enjoyable dish and plenty of flavour, definitely would have again. Good recommendation.
Did you enjoy your food? – asked the young waitress.
Of course!
How to pay. Paying separately was offered and accepted. This required Ehsan to come through from the ice-cream parlour. As we paid, so it was established that our glasses of Sparkling Water were being charged at the same price as the tap water – gratis. Good touch.
The Bill
£67.00 Where else in Aberdeen can four have Curry for this?
Last night, Marg was out with the girls. They had monkfish charged at £27.00 a portion, Aberdoom.
The Aftermath
Marg wanted ice-cream and disappeared through to the front of the premises. There she chatted with Ehsan and mentioned Curry-Heute. By the time I got through, a Calling Card was being requested.
You spoke to my Dad – recalled Ehsan from visit #1.
Whilst visits to Rehmat’s have been understandably sporadic, the Hector was confident enough to inform Ehsan:
This is the best Curry House in Aberdeen.
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Is there Punjabi Desi Korma being served along the street?
Hector has been home for a month. A month of visiting local venues, and two new ones at that. Yes, John, I’ll get to 
Mushroom Rice (£3.90) has proven to be the perfect foil for the Desi Lamb, why change a winning formula? A glass and a carafe of chilled tap water was provided. 
Vini brought a complimentary Poppadom and Spiced Onions – while you wait. The Seasoning in the Onions matched the Spice, tasty. 
Ginger Strips and Finger Chillies may be what some first notice, but for Hector it was the Sucky Bone which stood out, and momentarily a second would be revealed. The Meat count reached double figures, all large pieces and the largest of the four bones present was well shrouded in Meat. The viscous, blended Masala oozed quality, this was a classic Indian Curry. There was but a threat of Oil around the rim of the plate, a far cry from Hector’s Desi Punjabi Fayre. 
Believing it to be a Mushroom, the first solid intake was a whole Black Cardamom, not the best start. At least I then spotted, so set aside, the second one too. Recovering with Rice and Masala, so the Big Flavours overcame this hiatus. This already had all the signs of being an absolutely gorgeous Curry. 
July 4, apart from a General Election, not much happening today, but it is Marg and Hector’s twenty first wedding anniversary. The majority of anniversary dinners have been enjoyed abroad, presently, we need a break from travel. It was Marg who suggested 
The 
Tarka masala tots (£5.50) would be our additional Dish. What better than Potato to accompany a Lamb Curry? 
Murphy’s fryer for 2
Whilst the presentation may have impressed, the Hector was here for the food. Where was it?
Four pieces of Fish Pakora, of my two, one was fresh, tasty, the other somewhat wizened. The twice fried Vegetable Pakora was – dry. Marg would go on to state that the Haggis Pakora was the best part of the meal. Her solitary piece. 
Paratha
Eight pieces of Meat, four on-the-bone sat in a reasonably viscous Masala. This was not much more than a – tapas – portion. As the Paratha was divvied then duly dipped in the Masala, so the now farcical nature of our meal became obvious. 
We had each eaten little more than the volume of any decent sized Starter. The Hector was possibly more hungry than at the start. 
Behold a Shorva! The Masala was way more – Soupy – than its predecessor. The Meat count appeared to be more, but so was the Bone. 
The Garlic Naan was a classic example of why I generally avoid them. Served in bits, light, peely wally, no sign of Tawa/Tandoori blistering, soggy. There was but a threat of Coriander. Needless to say, the pungency of the Garlic was going to dominate all else. 
Ah, the Potatoes! As a – Small Plate – this felt as though there was a comparable volume to the main course – Curry. The – Tarka? There was Soupçon hidden beneath the Coriander Leaves. The cubed Potatoes had a decent Texture, unlike the Lamb, here Flavour had been absorbed. The Masala seemed no different from that which was classed as – Desi. The missing link, we now had Meat and Potato, an excellent Curry combination. There was a chance we might actually fill our still empty stomachs. 
The thinner Desi Masala had no more Seasoning than version #1. 
The Aftermath
Setting off for Curry before noon in Glasgow is quite unusual, however, the post-Curry activity on a Monday is shifting earlier as time passes. The joy of retirement. 
I took the same table as Saturday, but decided to face the opposite direction. A chap on my left was finishing his Bread and Vegetable creation. As the Aloo Keema was not out on display already confirmed that the Hector was about to have it – fresh. 
The round Naan was served whole, yay. With a decent girth in the centre, plus a risen, puffy periphery, this proved to be an excellent Naan. Light and fluffy, delightful, I nearly managed the lot. Unheard of. 
OK, let’s recognise the excessive Oil around the rim. A heart attack on a plate, but it mostly disappeared when stirred in. Five pieces of Potato accompanied the mass of Mince. I took it to be Lamb Mince despite the lighter colour. I wasn’t going to ask and have – Chicken – spoil the day. Tomato skins, a piece of cooked in Bullet Chilli and Coriander were mixed through what was a much wetter affair compared to Saturday. Aloo Keema should be almost – Dry.
As I ate, so four chaps took the window table. Two portions of Nihari, four Naan, two Chapattis. I had never previously seen Nihari at 
The Aloo Keema was now on display. There was no Aloo Gobi left from yesterday else I would have had some. I established that Nihari is usually always available, tempting.
Sheerin Palace 
Mobeen must have seen me enter, he emerged from the kitchen and came through to the dining area. That he hadn’t seen me for some time was mentioned. I know Kofta Anda is always available on a Saturday (& Wednesday) – was my explanation for being here. Why he wasn’t in his usual spot behind the counter was revealed later. 
This is what usually comes when Rice is ordered. The multi-coloured Rice is pre-cooked and always on display. 
Four, not particularly large, Meatballs and one Boiled Egg sat in the Shorva. Previously, I have tackled this with a Chapatti and made quite a mess of myself. Rice may not be the ideal accompaniment, but is decidedly more practical. The thin Masala therefore tends to be absorbed quickly by the Rice, but as mentioned, there was sufficient moisture all round. 
The colour suggested Lamb Kofta. Each Meatball would be quartered as encountered, eke the Meat out. Of course there was still the Chicken and the Egg. Spice coloured to a depth of about 2mm, the interior of the Chicken was as white as snow. And people order Chicken Curry. 
There was a good Spicy blast, the Clove Flavour pronounced at times. This was comfort eating but eating all the Rice would have led to discomfort. As I weighed up the options, so more food was brought to the table. The chap was back, a side-plate with not one Soupçon, but two!
Mobeen seemed keen to chat further. It was only at this point that I established his name. With my visits to 
The Village “Curry House”
The main menu was brought, but only after I asked for it. Did I really need it? Lamb Achari (£12.95) with Mushroom Rice (£3.50) is why I was here. Since my return to Glasgow I’ve had 
The Mushroom Rice was once again served on a plate. This guarantees a plateful. Hopefully the former bowls have become a thing of the past. Lightly Spiced, fresh Mushrooms, satisfying.
The Meat count was into double figures, just. Only two large bones, so sufficient eating. The Masala was classic 
The Seasoning and the Pickle hit the palate hard. How often have I had to review an Achari where the Pickle has hardly been there? There was no holding back, the Pickle also added more solids, and so with the Mushrooms, a variety of Textures. The underlying 
I crossed the road to take a photo of the ongoing works. I see the conversion of the upper floor to flats includes the addition of another level. 
Today was Marg and Hector’s fourth Glasgow Mela. A day when the majority of the congregation, having a heritage in the Indian Subcontinent, mingle in Kelvingrove Park, whilst avoiding what appears to be a pram rally. No Bier tent – was one observation made before a further realisation dawned. After the – 
A small tent had a female choir, I was more amused by the adjacent Chaiiwalla tent, not that I was about to have any of that milky nonsense, but I thought Marg might have made a beeline. The main Curry stalls were in situ, same locus as every year. Last time I had Karahi Gosht from 
Hundreds queuing for Curry, what a wonderful sight. Punjabi-English Curry too, there were no big Glasgow names on site today as there have been in the past. With multiple queues the – normal distribution – came to mind, I chose a line at the edge of the throng. Yes it was shorter, but then it hardly moved. Marg became involved when she observed the people in the adjacent queue being served by one of the two chaps in our section. Having concluded the people in front of us were needing managed, Marg was straight in there directing all until it was our fair turn. (I am always wary of posting photos of – the crowd – but there was a sign near the entrance warning that anyone passing that point can expect to be photographed, and by doing so, give consent.)
Meat Karahi with Rice (£12.00), twice, plus a Pink Tea was the Order. Salad with the Karahi was declined. No Tea, so Marg had Mango Lassi (£2.00). By this time we had four chaps serving our section. 
The Rice was sticky in parts, producing Basmati by the tonne must be difficult. There was a threat of Spice on the Rice, not too shabby. 
I thought it was very tasty, with a good level of spice. Tender meat, and a good helping of rice. 
With a visit to 
Alighting at Drumry and walking up the hill, Dönner became Pakora, in fact any Starter would be considered. 
After moments of last minute preparation, good sounds emanated from the cooking area to which my vision was obscured. 
Nineteen pieces of double fried Vegetable Pakora and one tub of Yoghurt Sauce were arranged on a large dinner plate. This was shy of the thirty plus pieces which have been served at Dumbarton’s 
One tub of Sauce, this had to be eked out. The Spice and Seasoning suited the Hector palate, a good start. Onion, Mashed Potato and traces of Coriander were in the batter. No sign of Coriander Seeds as per Hector’s 
With some of The Company away on a trip, why all this travelling (?), there was a later start for – The Monday Club. This enabled Hector to visit 
Two bottles of Sparking Water (£1.50) completed the Order, for the moment.
A chap came in for Takeaway, followed soon after by the lady who was here to collect – The Big Job. 
The Naan was almost whole. Puffy around the edges, risen, this was surely way better than a Roti? 
The Rice was piled high above the rim of the handi. Having taken a plateful, there wasn’t much of a dent in the volume. Marg took a modest helping. Remember, the handi has a false bottom, but still, a decent amount would go home. 
A Desi Korma, Hector’s favourite – Curry – differentiating from – Karahi. Topped with Coriander and slices of Bullet Chillies, it looked the part, but there was more Oil than I would have preferred. Still, one needs Oil. There was sufficient Masala to shroud the Meat served on-the-bone as all Lamb Curry is served at 
Having put Spice on the palate when sampling the Biryani, the Desi Korma instantly gave so much more. Powerful, but not OTT. 
It’s lovely – was Marg’s opening remark. 
I had announced my plan to be here for 15.00, Howard decided to make a surprise appearance. Marg and Hector were well underway. Sharing what we had was a possibility, but that would have thwarted Hector’s plan for the day. Howard also planned to take food back to Helensburgh. Two portions of Lamb Handi Korma (£12.00) were ordered, one to eat in one for Takeaway. A Naan (£2.00) and a soft drink completed his Order. Have soft drinks come down in price? Sparkling Water was previously £2.00. 
Marg thought Howard’s Desi Korma was more yellow. The Hector wasn’t paying much attention, too busy finishing off the main feast. 
Does Glasgow’s city centre need another South Indian Restaurant? Well it has one.
Madurai (The Exchange Building, 142a St. Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5LQ), a few doors down, is in direct competition to the long established 
Arriving at 13.05, four ladies occupied two window tables, another solo diner was sat beyond the flowers. The long dining room created the impression of being relatively narrow, the bar at the far end may or may not be licensed. One would assume it is, but only soft drinks were offered. A jug of water was requested, a glass granted. 
The Ginger Strip garnish also featured a solitary Curry Leaf, more would be unearthed. As he placed the karahi on the table, the waiter checked that I had no issue with – Black Pepper. 
Eleven pieces of Meat were arranged on the Rice. Not a huge portion, city centre prices. The Masala impressed visually, this was proper Curry, not the thin Shorva as served at 
