Curry-Heute

New Gandhi Indian Restaurant (441 Victoria Rd, Glasgow G42 8RW) is the type of venue in which Marg prefers to enjoy her Curry, a proper Restaurant with the commensurate ambience. Hector has paid three visits here in recent months, the cumulative total has seen the venue which was once – Danny Singh’s Gandhi added to – Glasgow’s Top Rated. The attraction is the well priced Punjabi Desi Dishes featuring Lamb served – on-the-bone.

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This evening Marg and Hector were joined by Alan and Tracy, it is a while since we last dined together south of the river. Assembling at the nearby Allison Arms, we arrived on schedule for the 20.00 booking. We paused outside to record the moment, the conditions were horrible. We happily parted with our coats as we took our table, the same location I have occupied in each of my recent visits.

The Waiter recognised me and announced that – the Lamb on-the-bone was particularly good this evening.

I came for the Fish – was my reply. I had planned to replicate Visit #4 and have Tandoori Lamb Chops (£6.50) followed by Fish Tikka Masala (£11.95). Danny, Mein Host, came over to greet and reiterated the quality of the Lamb, the staff had just been enjoying it. Ah, well, change of plan.

As we took our seats, I spotted the hand wipes on the table, is this where we are already? I offered to pay for the meal if I got to keep the wipes. The would be pandemic has not reached these proportions in the UK, yet, however in Italia…is this the fate that awaits us?

Danny was happy to register that as this was an evening visit we would be partaking of alcohol. Cider (£4.25, 500ml, bottled) was available for Alan. Hector would have draught Kingfisher (£4.75, pint), whilst Tracy stuck to bottled Cobra (£3.55, 330ml), Marg was on Sparkling Water (£2.40, 330ml). Recalling a particular night in Jaipur, I asked Danny if he had tried the stronger versions of Kingfisher, the 6.0% Blue Label in particular. From his time in India, Danny was well aware that Kingfisher there is way better than the safer version sold in the UK.

Poppadoms were brought accompanied by the Mint Mash, Spiced Onions and Danny’s very own Pickle. These were devoured whilst I noted the Order. Hector missed out, not much left for the Curry Blogger.

We decided to have two portions of Tandoori Lamb Chops plus one of Seekh Kebab (£4.95). My fellow diners on the last visit confirmed the Seekh Kebab to be something special.

Alan and Hector would have the Punjabi Desi Gosht (£11.95), whilst Marg somewhat predictably went for Keema Mutter (£9.95). Tracy found Punjabi Pardesi (£1.25) in the – Specialities – section. She would have the Chicken version. Tracy also asked for extra Minced Chillies to accompany her selection. It was agreed that a Side of Chillies would be presented.

Alan ordered a plain Chapatti (£1.00) whilst Tracy went for a Garlic Butter Chapatti (£1.20). Marg was going to follow suit but I persuaded her to share a Paratha (£2.95) and the excellent Mushroom Rice (£3.25). I have not had a Paratha here since 2014, it was time to re-evaluate. Alan remembered to ask that all the Bread be served – whole.  My Soupçon of the Pickle kept me amused until the arrival of the Starters. In passing, Danny commented upon the frequency of my visits.

I’m trying to become a regular – was my response.

Lamb Chops

A portion of four, so two each. Had I been having the Fish, I would have insisted on a portion to myself. The Chops were a decent size, well fired and perhaps too juicy. They would have benefited from at least another minute in the Tandoor, the Flavours could have been enhanced by further cremation. The final Chop was thinner, Alan said this was better.

Seekh Kebab

I cut each Kebap in two, a half each, though all having sampled, somehow we ended up with a half leftover. The Lady who doesn’t like Lamb? Hector benefited. The Spice Level was remarked upon by all, my insistence on ordering was justified. One could eat a lot of these, might I suggest that a Kofta Curry should be considered?

The commentary so far:

Tracy – I didn’t think much of the Chops, the texture was wrong. The Seekh was the best I have ever had.

Alan – Chops weren’t well enough fired. The Seekh Kebab was lovely, very spicy, very flavoured.

Marg – I enjoyed the warm Poppadoms, the Mint had a big kick. I like the Spiced Onions. I didn’t want to fill myself with Starters. Did Marg only have one Chop?

The Waiter cleared away the debris, in answer to the customary question, I told him the Seekh Kebab was excellent and the Lamb Chops could have done with an extra minute. So it goes.  More Cider.  The Kingfisher wasn’t going down, wrong, choice tonight, Hector.

There was a suitable gap between Starters and Mains.

The Chapattis arrived in quarters. This prompted a request to a passing waiter that the Paratha should come whole. When it was brought by our chap, he commented that it hadn’t been cut up. He had to be reminded that that was what was asked for.

Having shared many a Naan with Alan and Tracy, I was puzzled as to the minimal Bread order. One Chapatti usually does me, perhaps they are on board with this? The Paratha Police were out in force this evening. A decent size, the Paratha showed layering, just, was decidedly Thin and had no Swirl. Marg thought it to be – doughy – and would have preferred a Chapatti. I kept thinking it tasted as if it has been stuffed, but found no evidence to support this. I have had much better Paratha, and worse.

The Mushroom Rice was up to its usual standard. In my excitement I took more than my share. Marg, oops. There was still some left, some. In my recent visits, I have observed Rice to be the better accompaniment.

Chicken Punjabi Pardesi

Piled high and topped with slices of Red and Green Chillies plus Coriander, this looked to be an inviting Curry. This was how I would hope to find this Dish, a rich Masala with Herbs, not a Green Curry. I could see me ordering this, in Lamb. The Arab Patti still intrigues.

The extra Minced Chillies never arrived, however, I suspect there were enough on top.

Absolutely delicious – declared Tracy – I asked for very spicy and it was very spicy. I asked for extra Minced Chillies which never came, not a major problem, awesome!  The Bakery was very tasty, Bread was cut up, we asked for – whole – I’m being pedantic, 8/10.

Tracy giving scores? That’s new, extra Chillies also?

Punjabi Desi Gosht

The Sucky Bone stood out in my karahi. With no Meat attached, I wondered why it was there. From my limited knowledge of Meat cuts, I would guess that the remainder of the Lamb was – leg – given the way the Meat surrounded the other bones. Five bones in all, this portion did not match that served a couple of months back.

Alan and Hector exchanged comments throughout, I started with:

The Lamb is stunningly tender.

More seasoning required – was Alan’s first observation.

Spice moderate, I noted.

A helluva lot of bones.

I had five bones, so had you.

Mine had no meat on them.

Alan was reminded of his first visit to Karahi Palace when he had a similar experience – Bag’o’bones – was the term coined that evening. He has since forgiven them and some, his favourite Curry venue presently?

The Masala was next up for discussion:

The Masala was too tomatoey, but I like tomato – observed Alan who made a similar comment about his Curry at Bollywood Lounge (Dumbarton) last week. I hadn’t put this down as a Tomato-based Masala, perhaps it was. Pleasant as it was , the – Wow! – was not there. Alan and Hector have very similar and exacting requirements.

Keema Mutter

The Menu says – dry dish – it most certainly is. I could see no Oil collecting under the Mince and Peas. Topped with Coriander and sliced Green Chillies, the latter may have been too much for Marg. She finds all Curry to be – Spicy – however, when we all had a sample, it was agreed that this was the Spiciest Curry on the table. In the end, quite a bit came my way. That I was able to devour this after my own Curry may again say more about the Meat content of the Punjabi Desi Gosht. Whilst I found the Keema Mutter to be enjoyable, still no – Wow! As for Marg:

The Keema was too hot for my palate. The Paratha was too heavy.

I should have given her more Rice, this may well have tempered the Spice Level in the Mince.

The Ladies required Coffee. A milky Coffee (£1.95) – hotter than you can make it – I put to Danny, plus an Espresso for Tracy. With the accompanying Chocolates both were content. More Cider. Hector would wait until we were back across the river before assuaging the thirst.

The evening was disjointed – was Alan’s summary – asked for the Bread to be whole, extra Chillies…

Very hospitable – began Marg – a warm and cozy room, I would love to go back.

….for the Fish! – was my final comment.

The Bill

£101.95 Well within acceptable parameters.

The Aftermath

It was not quite 22.00, the rain had abated, still time to visit Glasgow’s Pub of the Year – 2020.