For reasons various, this was the first December 25th since 1998 with Bier but without the traditional turkey dinner. Marg promised Hector there would be Curry-Heute. She knows the rule, once agreed, no going back.
I phoned Shri Bheema’s (Balgownie Road, Nevis Business Park, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB22 8NT) late afternoon to verify that they were open, and that the a la carte Menu would be available. All was well. We eventually arrived at 18.40 to find a group of ten just finishing, the rest of the restaurant was empty.
Tony, Mein Host, greeted us both with hugs. He was surprised to see us – on this of all days – as he put it. Our visits to this Aberdeen Curry House, now chain, have been sporadic. It is one day short of two years since our last visit, yet we have always been recognised, something perhaps to do with the positive write-ups over the years. Yet, on their day, nothing in the city matches the Punjabi Cuisine at Lahore Karahi, they were closed today. I had reconciled myself to – the Flavours of South India.
A young chap took the drinks order. We have had large bottles of Sparkling Water here in the past, tonight we had to accept two small bottles. I was nearly tempted by Shri Bheema’s own branded IPA. I should have asked by whom, and where, it was brewed.
Last time Marg had the Kanchi Lamb Curry (£18.99). Such was the portion size, quite a bit of it came my way. I was determined to have this tonight. Marg considered the same again, but thought something else would be more appropriate for the purposes of Curry-Heute. Tony admitted that the few portions of Marg’s next choice – Dum Ki Nalli (£19.99) had gone. He suggested that the Murgh Hara Dhania (£18.99) could be done in Lamb instead of Chicken, so – Hara Dhania Gosht – then. Check the prices.
The Dum Ki Nalli would have featured an inclusive Tandoori Roti (£3.49). I believe both of our actual choices included Rice, however, I was determined to have Vegetables and so asked for Vegetable Fried Rice (£5.99). Marg was offered Plain Rice but stuck to her preferred Roti option. As always, I asked that no Capsicum appear in any part of our Order.
Marg’s Roti scuppered my plan to share a Paratha (£3.99). The Parathas are always perfect at Shri Bheema’s. I cannot let this review go any further without highlighting the price of a solitary Chapatti – £2.99! This gives the good people of Bradford apoplexy, they are used to three or four being inclusive with every Curry. When I’m in Bradford I always refer to – the price of Bread in Aberdoom, when I’m in Aberdoom I still cannot believe what restaurants charge. Only the aforementioned Lahore Karahi has the price of Bread at something approaching the realistic for – flour and water.
The young chap brought hot plates. Tony took them away, our Curry was not coming in an instant. The plates were never returned, Chef had other ideas.
When Tony placed our respective Main Dishes before us, he admitted that both were identical. The description of the Hara Dhania has a – one Chilli – rating and mentions – fresh coriander. The Kanchi Lamb Curry has a – two Chilli – rating yet is described as – mild – and also mentions – spring onion. The photos below raise the question – did we have each other’s Curry?
The portion of Vegetable Fried Rice was enough for two diners. Perhaps the Menu should make this clear? Curry-Heute does, this is Hector’s role. Featuring Peas, Green Beans, Broad Beans, Cauliflower, Onion, Carrots, Cabbage Sweetcorn and Potatoes, this was a veritable cornucopia, exactly what I seek from a Vegetable Rice – Diversity. The Tandoori Roti was large and served in two pieces. Why not just fold it and let the diner tear off strips as required? The Roti alone would not suit the nature of the Curry served, I encouraged Marg to take some Rice also.
Salty – said Marg as soon as she sampled the Rice.
For Hector, this was a good start.
Kanchi Lamb Curry
Note the topping of – Fresh Coriander!
OK, it’s a classic Soupy Curry, the type of Curry Hector typically writes off, unless…
Served in a soup plate, how appropriate, there was no option but to pile the Rice on top of the Masala then stir it in. This always feels strange, one is used to adding Curry to Rice and watch the Masala soak in. The Meat count did not initially appear to justify the price, however, every piece was decidedly – large. There would be no shortage of food.
The Spice and the Seasoning were well pitched, this Curry would be all about what happened next. Slowly the hoped for – Smokey Flavours – associated with – Chettinadu-style Curry – were registered on the palate. Success.
As I ate on so the Spice Level seemed to register further up the scale. I piled on more Rice, the array of – Interesting Vegetables – was a distraction from the Soupy Masala. The photo of this same Curry two years ago shows a much thicker Masala and Tomatoes on top. Hector always prefers a – Thick and Minimal Masala. To have ordered only Bread with this Curry would be a near catastrophic error, it needed the abundant Rice.
*
Hara Dhania – Gosht
Note the topping of Syboes – Spring Onion!
Identical indeed to the Kanchi, I had to sample this Curry. I could not tell any difference yet the preparations were decidedly different according to the Menu. Marg fished out a Clove and what might have been a Cardamom shell, otherwise we saw no difference.
The Roti disappeared in no time, a second would have been ideal, but who orders two Rotis in Aberdeen? Marg did her best to help me finish the Rice, we admitted defeat eventually.
I was wondering if the Spice Level was too much for Marg, no problems were reported. Eventually, Marg waved the white flag, a couple of pieces of Meat and quite a bit of the Masala were piled on top of my remnants. Hector had his fill and still could not tell the Dishes apart. Marg was impressed by what she had eaten.
In the middle of our meal Tony came over, I expected the customary question, his approach was quite radical:
It is difficult to ask people who know Curry inside out.
We were both thoroughly enjoying our Curry, the reply was simple:
I came for South Indian Flavours, I have them.
The Bill
£41.96 I didn’t see the itemised – Bill – but have to conclude that the Bread and Rice were included in the price of the Mains, which does make Shri Bheema’s appear competitive, i.e. in terms of Aberdeen pricing.
The Aftermath
The staff were clearing up, ready to go home after a busy day. We bade farewell.
This was the first time Marg has had Curry on xmas day, traditions have to start somewhere, sometime. Curry on this day in the 1980s was a Hector tradition in the small hours at the much missed Akash (Helensburgh).
I note that Blue Moon is now a Middle Eastern Restaurant (Kebab Shop). This is the fifth Curry House in Aberdeen to close in the nearly ten years of Curry-Heute. Ten Years? I wonder where the anniversary Curry will be?
Again served whole, the Paratha was huge and almost rectangular, as have been mine in the times I have made them. Wholemeal Chapatti Flour is not my favourite, but does prevail. There was a buttery sheen atop the Paratha. The layering was there, the Paratha would flake – a bit. However, I know I have had better. As is the Hector norm, the quantity would beat me, I would eat only about a half of the Paratha. 
