Curry-Heute

There had to be a quick return to the newly discovered Punjabi Tikka (Nikiforou 1, Athina 104 37 Hellas). This was only my fourth and final Curry of this ten day trip to Hellas/Greece. Only? This is Hector showing restraint. Also, there are just too many excellent Curry Cafes to get around in one stay.

Today it was just Marg and Hector. The Curry was also at Hector’s preferred time of 15.00. Again we took a table outside, this time in the corner. The chap who greeted looked familiar, I would consult a well known and reliable Curry Blog. The tall waiter who served us two days ago was on form once again. A paper tablecloth was spread across the recently wiped table. Hector going posh? The only other diners to get this treatment were a group of four Greeks who sat quite a bit from us. The rest had to make do.

On Tuesday, I hadn’t spotted Keema amongst the array of oily trays on show. I asked, Keema (€4.00) was available. I then thought I would test my luck – Kofta Anda?

Only on Saturdays, it’s special.

Marg was up for Keema too, what a surprise. Today, I did not feel like a mass of Meat, nor Rice. The excellent Roti (€0.30) served last time would accompany.

Once again, half litres bottles of Still Water were provided along with Raita and this time, a Salad. Marg took some of the Salad, we knew the Green Olives would be bitter.

Was the chap I – recognised – from Paka Taka Shop – Grill House? I checked back through each of my visits, no staff photo. One thing I can confirm, Bus A13 to Omonia stops almost at the door.

Keema Matar

The Oil stands out. The best Keema have just enough moistness, no more. Fortunately, the karahi were big enough to let the contents sit at an angle, thus gravity would do us a favour. For once, Rice with a Keema may have been the better option.

Three Roti were provided. Large, light, fluffy, these Roti were nothing like those served at home – which tend to crisp. How would we manage three?

Peas were abundant, Ginger Strips and chopped Coriander were in the mix. Black Peppercorns popped up every so often. The Flavour was up to the standard expected after Tuesday’s Beef Karahi. The Spice Level seemed to grow. Both of us coughed.

The Flavours kept developing on the palate. Marg found a couple of pieces of Meat which were decidedly larger than – Mince. These were set aside. A €4.00 Curry, nobody was expecting Gordon Blue (sic).

What was I tasting? Other than the ingredients I have listed, it was impossible to work out what was giving this Keema its own distinctiveness. At the end, there was nothing but a sense of satisfaction, and a wee puddle of Oil.

Oh, the Bread. Once again a passing beggar was fed.

Marg appeared to enjoy her Keema as much as I did:

Rich in flavour with recommended ginger strips. Some fatty parts that I avoided along with the extra ghee. Enjoyed with my small helping of Salad and Raita.

The Bill

€10.00 (£8.48)   In Aberdoom, one could have paid this for the Bread alone.

The Aftermath

Our waiter was quite chatty. He then brought over his colleague, this was the chap from Pak Taka Shop – Grill House who had looked after us last year. There, he was quite exuberant, at Punjabi Tikka, evidently not. He has worked here for the last year, since Punjabi Tikka opened, if I understood him correctly.

There had to be a photo, our waiter opted out. Still, next time we shall definitely remember them both.

To date, Hector’s Happy Hunting Ground for Curry has been focused in the Curry Cafes on Menandrou and Geraniou nearest to the Vegetable Market. Our taxi driver last week took us along the far end of Menandrou and so the Lahori Restaurant was spotted. This is part of another cluster of Curry Cafes near Omonia, more venues, so little time.

Another source has Punjabi Tikka (Nikiforou 1, Athina 104 37 Hellas) as the highest rated venue in the area, why this is so, had to be investigated.

This morning, sad news from Ibrox. Walter has joined – The Immortals. Having been a season ticket holder back in the time of his reign, I appreciate all he did for Glasgow Rangers. I met him a couple of times. I taught one of his kids.

Hector, Marg, Lord Clive and Lady Maggie set off from Iroon Square at 13.00 in search of Punjabi Tikka. Royal Curry House is another one for the future.

At Punjabi Tikka, most of the tables had been pitched on the pavement leaving the interior void of seating. In this way, Vaccine Passports did not have to be shown. (This is something Wee Nippy has got right, an app which means we are welcome anywhere.)

As four half litre bottles of Water were brought to the table, in I went to survey the ready-made Curry. A chap talked me through the trays. Beef and Lamb were available, the latter on-the-bone. The usual Vegetable array was present, including a Chana Daal and Kadhi Pakora. The only Chicken appeared to be in the Pilao. There was an interesting Lamb Pilao with Raisins and Carrots*. There was no sign of Keema or Kofta Anda.

The Menu illustrated the Dishes on offer. As with Paka Taka Tak, the prices are such that the Curry served in Athena Curry Cafes must be the lowest in Europe.

Clive and I both chose Beef Karahi (€4.00) whilst Maggie went for Lamb Karahi (€4.00). I suggested a share of what I now knew to be the Kabuli Pulao (€4.00)*. Clive had to have his Keema Naan (€1.50). Marg, having a day off Curry, ordered a Greek Salad (€5.00). It did seem ironic that the Salad was the most expensive part of the Order.

Our waiter was decidedly friendly, and most cooperative. Sometimes, communication in these venues can be difficult, however, as the names of the various Dishes are universal, we always get there in the end.

We managed to get everything on the table. A plate of Roti (€0.30) arrived also with some Raita.

It’s part of the deal – we were told. Drinks were also mentioned, we were happy with the Water.

The Roti was magnificent, unlike any Chapatti/Roti served in the UK. Softer, lighter, not Wholemeal Flour. Perhaps halfway between Pitta and Naan. Such was the volume of food on the table we would never do these justice. A wee boy came begging. We offered him a Roti, he went away without then returned moments later. That reduced the pile. The Keema Naan was in the Rogni style. Crammed full of brown Mince, this was a meal in itself. Clive would manage about half.

Kabuli Pulao

I took Rice and Raisins but avoided the Carrots. One piece of Lamb on-the-bone found its way on to my plate, laters.

Beef Karahi

The efficacy of this Curry was immediately apparent. The dark, thick Masala was sufficient to coat the Meat. The Meat count was into double figures making a mockery of my Lamb Chettinad at Rishi’s Indian Aroma (Glasgow) a couple of weeks back.

I was prepared for a blast of Cinnamon as I had avoided decanting this to my plate. I wasn’t ready for the Cloves – wow! We have another winner, this was going to be another of those special moments in Curry-Heute. Black Cardamom was sifted from the Masala, Ginger Strips were embedded. All the classic ingredients were there. The Seasoning was as it has to be to generate this much Flavour. The Spice Level registered as medium at the start, but grew.

The Texture of Beef puzzles. The Meat was decidedly, soft, tender, but still chewing was required. Is this how Beef works? The Beef was giving off so much – Spice and Meatiness. This Karahi was outrageously wonderful. It has taken me many years to get this far along Menandrou and reach Punjabi Tikka. I shall be back, asap.

Clive offered a few words:

Rich, tender, tasty, spice levels just right.

There’s more.

I still had the piece of Lamb to deal with. Switching from Beef to Lamb was quite dramatic. I have never experienced such an impact. The Lamb was so distinctive in Flavour. I wonder how some venues get away with substituting cheaper Beef for Lamb?

Lamb Karahi

The sheer size of the chunks of Lamb impressed. Lots of eating here, and Maggie had her share of Lamb from the Pulao also. Maggie found her Karahi to be too Spicy from the start. She called for more Raita to calm it down. Maggie created a Creamier version of Lamb Karahi. She ate the lot.

Lots of flavour, had to blow my nose – declared Maggie.

Greek Salad

Everything was there, however, the Green Olives proved to be bitter.

The Bill

€25.50 (£21.60)     It’s like stepping back in time.

The Aftermath

I went back inside, camera in hand once again. Mein Host was having his lunch and so our conversation was brief. I congratulated him on his fayre, and promised to return.

Later

Traditional Greek Cuisine is wonderful, the slow cooked Dishes as tasty as any Curry, yet it is becoming so difficult to locate. Greece has too many Grill Houses and not enough Chefs. This evening in Plaka, I ordered Kleftiko (€13.50), a long time favourite. This is what came. Two lumps of Lamb sitting on one Potato, chopped. I sent it back.

That is not Klefitko!

The waiter offered to improve the portion. Instead I ordered what Maggie was having, twice the volume, half the price. Behold, Hector does eat Capsicum when not having Curry!