When Namaste Delhi (Ground floor: 64 Bridge St., Aberdeen AB11 6JN) was established last year directly underneath the long established – Nazma Tandoori – they must have known that there was no point serving the – Mainstream. To make their mark, – something different – would have to be offered. The – Tapas – route was adopted, the décor is also contemporary, Namaste Delhi is decidedly commensurate with the new breed of Curry Houses in Aberdeen.
There was time on the – Golden Coach – coming north from Glasgow this afternoon to study the online menu. One word stood out that particularly pleased Hector – Dry. Other sources had photos of the Fayre, some of which showed mainstream – Soupy Curry. By the time I reached Aberdeen, I had made my choices. It was then a matter of having Marg complement these.
We entered Namaste Delhi @19.45. We stood and waited as a sign requested. We were greeted by the chap we would later establish as the Manager:
Have you booked?
It is a Tuesday night, the premises are huge. With three sets of diners already in situ, there was no problem securing a table. We were invited to take a table accommodating four at the wall. Marg observed the next diners to arrive had booked and were allocated a window table. Who wants to be – window dressing?
Two large cards were brought, the drinks menu was already on the table. The Waiter outlined that Namaste Delhi serves – Tapas – portions and that we should consider this when ordering. This was my first opperchancity to mention that I did not wish anything that had Capsicum. I asked about the size of the bottle of Belu Sparkling Water (£3.20). We were informed it was 750ml – very acceptable, given the prices we have been paying in Corsica and Sardinia in the last couple of weeks.
There had to be Lamb Chops (£6.95), it has been a while, though Marg did have some at Namaste (Cagliari, Sardegna) recently. These would be shared. The description of the Rajasthani Laal Maans (£6.95) was magnetic – smoked lamb. Irresistible. But then, this was a first visit, so who knows what would come? Hector’s favoured Side Dish – Aloo Gobi (£5.15) had to be sampled.
Marg considered the Keema Mutter (£6.45) surprisingly described as – Semi Dry. Surely this is the epitome of a Dry Curry? The Railway Lamb Curry (£6.45) was the next Dish I would have chosen, Marg must have read the subliminal signals. To complete the order: Jeera Rice (£2.50) and Lachcha Paratha with Methi (£2.50).
The Order was relayed.
You know your Indian food – was the remark made by the East European chap whom I can reveal to be Toms, the Manager. Again I repeated the requirement that no Capsicum should appear. He thought for a moment then declared that it should not be in anything cooked, but could appear in the garnish.
No Garnish!
It was confirmed that we have no allergy in terms of Capsicum. I simply expressed my dislike of Green Peppers in Indian Cuisine. There was also the issue of Capsicum as – Ballast. Just what one would not desire in a – Tapas – portion.
Poppadoms and three Dips were brought, the Waiter warned that there could be Capsicum in the Mixed Vegetable pot. Lime Pickle? – I suggested. He insisted it was otherwise.
Complimentary food in Aberdoom: having left the last Poppadoms that were set before us untouched, we tore in. Marg liked the Green Dip, I preferred the Spicier, Red. As for the – Mixed Vegetable – this was – Lime Pickle – by any other name.
The Order arrived in good time. After the photographic ritual, each Dish was arranged as they would be devoured.
Lamb Chops
Two, for £6.95. I had jokingly said to Marg that we could have one Lamb Chop each as the plural had been used. Three days after – Curry-Heute – was mentioned in the The (Glasgow) Herald’s review of Karahi Palace (Glasgow), where the Quality and Quantity of Lamb Chops which cost – buttons – were praised, here was another classic – welcome to Aberdeen. One Chop each, so it goes.
Fortunately, the Chops had been cooked to perfection. They were charred in the extremities, succulent in the interior, full of flavour. Lamb Chops, but a Soupçon.
The plate set aside, it was time to approach the rest. Toms, Mein Host, was over to see all was well. I had to register my displeasure at being served two Lamb Chops only – I prefer four! (each) The Downsman (Crawley) which still sets the UK standard as far as the coverage in Curry-Heute goes, can make a profit by serving four large Lamb Chops for £9.40. Toms stated that he tries to keep the prices down, and has to watch his margins. Maybe after Brexit, the price of Lamb will plummet?
The Jeera Rice was an ample portion. Taking half, there was still more than Marg required. There was no issue with value for money here. No Aberdeen Curry Blogging would be complete without a rant about Bread.
The Paratha was quite well cooked, Flaky and Layered. It might have been Softer. The Methi was visible, cooked in. This Paratha had potential, but look at the size. £2.50? It’s Flour and Water (with a bit of Butter and Herb). I note the same price is charged for a Plain Paratha and those with fillings.
Aloo Gobi
Potato and Cauliflower, and not very much of either. One usually hopes for Minimal Masala, not an abundance, here was just a – threat. The Potatoes were fine, the Cauliflower could have been a bit more – al dente. My recent Aloo Gobi at Namaste (Cagliari, Sardegna) has set the standard of late.
Rajasthani Laal Maans
This was the make or break Dish. The sight of the whole Dried Red Chilli had me won immediately. The Menu mentioned – smoked – the presence of these wondrous Chillies is typically associated with – Smokiness. This was a Lamb Chettinad, or perhaps better than. The dark, blended Masala, was thicker than the Shorva which unfortunately prevails in so many venues.
Six pieces of Meat, two fewer than the standard – full portion. The Lamb was delightfully, Tender. The Spice was Moderate, the Seasoning pitched at a good level. Most importantly, this had the Smokiness that Hector desires.
That we were sharing meant only half of each portion was up for grabs. I would love to have gorged on this. On a return visit I would most certainly make ordering this a priority. Two portions? A half kilo I could dream of. This was very much a Hector Curry.
Railway Lamb Curry
A sprinkling of Fresh Coriander topped a Masala lighter in colour and a thinner Texture. Marg got there first, so the count of solids was not recorded. There may have been a comparable number of pieces of Potato and Meat, which if the case, means less Meat.
Marg declared her preference for this dish. Whilst Coconut (Milk?) was present, it was not dominant, a Milder Curry and thankfully not Sweet. The Flavour was true to the sense of – Indian Curry, very Traditional. This was definitely worthy of future consideration.
Every morsel was eaten. Hector never normally manages to finish a Paratha.
*
Toms, Mein Host, presented two glasses of Mango Lassi – for our appraisal. He is still working on the blend and therefore this is not on the Menu. We discussed the various approaches to making Lassi. I suggested that Farmfoods frozen Mango as suitable, reliable and cheap. The conversation would continue at length. Previously, even Marg had raised the matter of Bradford Curry Houses serving Rice / Naan – or up to three Chapattis accompanying each Curry.
Marg was intrigued by Toms’ accent, we asked. Latvia – was the answer. Cue the Curry-Heute Blog which features Riga. We talked – Curry – which for Hector is the best way to conclude any meal.
The Bill
£30.51 Retaining the receipt guarantees a 15% discount on the next visit, but not 30% on Lamb Chops.
The Aftermath
More photos, and more discussion, this time of other Aberdeen venues. That is between Toms and myself.
I shall certainly return to Namaste Delhi, though as this trip marks the final sleeps at Forbesfield, visits to this city will inevitably will be fewer.
Namaste Delhi – Menu
Laila-Manju (€14.90) was a new name, then I read on to find this was a Kebab served with a Naan. The Fish options were few, it was back to the old faithful – Lamm Bhuna – (€13.50) which would be served with Rice and a Salad. A 0.4l glass of Sparkling Water (€2.50) would accompany.
The Curry sat on a plate which had a huge portion of Rice and the promised Salad, not the customary – Side Salad – then. It felt sensible to decant the Curry to the available space rather than cover the Rice.
The Masala was definitely – Thick, initially I could accept this as a Bhuna. The Creaminess, however, forced me to think otherwise. Almonds were visible, a Kashmiri? I wondered how this came to be called a Bhuna. Their interpretation, this was very much a Marg Curry. 
Cloves were the most apparent source of Flavour at the start, then I found a Green Cardamom, the hard way. The Spice built slowly from nothing registering at all, to me noting that this Curry did have – a wee kick. 
Menu extracts
