The Kashmir

Once in a while I like to pop into The Kashmir.  It's like my home away from home, and the place I have eaten most Bradford Curry in over the years.  Although in my youth I never ever really went anywhere else, now, with my new found Bradford Curry knowledge, I no longer consider it the best, except for the bhaji's and naan that is!  Recently too, curry has improved a great deal.

However, the Kashmir soft spot remains to this day, and still remains the place I would take a newbie to experience hardcore Bradford Curry.

Old Kashmir sign overlooking the car park to the rear.  If I told you they
were bullet holes* would you be surprised?

'WELCOME TO THE KASHMIR'.  Down these stairs, into the bowels of
t'Kash, where perpetual night reigns, is one of THE all time
Bradford Curry eating experiences. 

No windows!  It's forever any time of the day you like in the Kashmir.

The Kashmir's Onion Bhaji - My favourite.  Crispy onion shards give way to
softer doughy insides.  Not overly powerful on the onion flavour front, I
like to much them with the raw  onion salad and dipped in the mint sauce.

The Meat Karahi excellent too.  Rich but not overly oily.  The dry(ish) texture
of the dish is also and meat rich, and gives you something good to gnaw at,
and very garlicky. 

* I elaborate for dramatic effect.  I don't think for one minute they are!

World Curry Festival 2012

For 2012, the World Curry Festival was to roll into, surely it's spiritual home, Bradford.  And to the recently unveiled and excellent City Park.  The Park provided a brill location for the Festival, and I thought a vast improvement on last years Leeds city center venue.  Here there was room to move, peruse the stalls, and also plenty of safe space for the children to scamp about, and get wet through with gay abandon.

Bradford City Park

Alas, this year, due to other commitments, we didn't get chance to visit the festival until late Sunday afternoon.   When we arrived there was still loads of people milling about, and some lengthy queues at the stalls.  However, the rain soon came and, by about 14:30, most of the lingering folk had started to depart, and the atmosphere some what went with them.  Rain and cold, and no people resulted in some of the stalls calling it a draw and shutting up shop.  I understand the festival was due to shut up shop about 4pm anyway.

Street from Huddersfield

 Therefore, we made it our mission to make sure we sampled all we wanted to before being turfed out.

First up was Street, from Huddersfield.  They were offering a 3 course meal in a box for £5!  Sounded too good to miss really.  In my box was Spud Scallop, Channa Chaat Spring Roll, Chip Shop Fish (??), Seek Kebab, Tandori Roasted Wings, Chicken Karahi, Creamed Daal, rice and puri.  Also an afters of Falooda was included.  Sounds like quite a feast, and it was.  A bit cool, but all excellent.  I felt a little underwhelmed with the potato scallop, and the Fish Shop Fish (which was just like (nice) Fish Shop Fish - fine on a Friday, but not what I was expecting at a Curry Festival?).  The chicken Karahi was a little watery, but was tasty enough.  The highlight was the Falooda.  Not something I've had before, and was a sort of pink, sweet, noodle, soup.  Quite irresistible.

Lahori Grill

With many places starting to pack up, Lahori - not sure where they are based - started doing a roaring trade.  I went for Samosa Chaat to start with, before moving onto a Seekh Kebab wrap.  Thew Samosa Chaat was OK I suppose.  It was a bit dry, and lacked a bit of punch.  The chickpeas were a touch 'loose' and firm, and the dish just lack a bit of punch.  The Wrap on the other hand was good.  Cooked on the grill in front of you fresh kebabs were meaty, firey and well seasoned.  All wrapped up with sauce and salad made for a tasty snack

Just time for a quick nosy around the theater.  Some bloke was doing a demo and cooking Fish Karahi I think.  We were all cold, wet and tired by now, so we headed for home.

I wished we'd made it to the festival a little earlier on in the weekend, when perhaps a little more enthusiasm and atmosphere may have been apparent.  I got the impression a very busy weekend had been had though, and loved the venue.  I'll be back next year, that's for sure.

The Sheesh Mahal Study Continues...

Right then.  The study of the Sheesh Mahal's Lamb Methi rumbles on.  Another opportunity to sample this splendid dish presented itself just the other day, and was an opportunity not to be turned down. The Sheesh's new early opening times now allows such indulgence with ease.

Being hungry, I thought I would treat myself to a starter - onion bhaji.  It was a fair old portion, and, being a lone diner, with no one to help out, I rather wished I hadn't ordered it!  However, for me at least, the portion size was the only notable attribute to the dish!  Yes readers, I think I may have found a chink in Sheesh Mahal's armor.  Their onion bhaji was not exactly to my taste, to be honest, and comprised large slithers of onion coated in a flimsy, brittle batter.  The batter tended to fall from the onion if handled too vigorously.  However, this did not stop me from eating the whole lot!

On the other hand, the Methi was, without question, another lesson in perfection.  A little more open textured than the super heavy version served on my last visit.  Here, it was possible to identify herbs, veg, etc  within the sauce.  Still thick and sumptuous, it was a delight.

So, another successful Sheesh Mahal visit done and dusted.  No one would ever accuse me of being stuck in a rut!

The Breakfast of Champions

The Sweet Center on Lumb Lane serves a proper proper breakfast. I am starting to get too used to this and just love it. Unlike the other week, where we pogged ourselves out with three puri's, I showed restrain and stuck to two.

Much better, and left room for a seekh kebab. Good kebabs. Very meaty tasting with subtle seaoning and heat. Also coarsely ground so providing good eating. The chana was good and spicy and tasted great. £3.30! What a steal.

Sheesh Mahal

STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS

The Sheesh Mahal is now open from 11:30am daily.  Well, I presume daily?  Top draw.

Not being one to turn down a curry lunch, and on hearing the news of the Sheesh's new opening times, I just had to pop in at my earliest opportunity.

I'm glad I did dear readers.  Because, what I experienced was as near to perfection as I ever thought possible.  From the off, service was excellent, with the complimentary poppadon, pickle and mint sauce.  And even though there was a table taken with a party of approximately 20 people, all receiving their dishes, prompt service was still on the cards for this diner.

My Lamb Methi was verging on perfection.  A little different to the dish I was served late the other night, and was super dry dark and rich.  There was little to see in the dish except the thick sauce clinging the abundant meet.  I opted for the 2 roti's - either 1 naan, 2 rotis or 3 chapatti's are served with each main - and they were not only huge, but also fresh and fluffy.  I was stuffed after this little lot.

I can't wait for my next visit.

International with Hector

‘Fancy the International on Saturday at noon say?’ The text read.  I paraphrase.

It was Hector Curry Heute from Glasgow – long time internet friend but, up to now, never a friend of the flesh… if you pardon the expression!  Hector was on a flying visit through Bradford en-route to Rotherham for a rock festival.  He simply couldn’t bypass Bradford without popping in for a curry or two.  Me being a longtime fan of his web page and enthusiasm for everything curry, it was going to be an opportunity not to be missed – and at the International too… I knew he was a gentleman of style and taste.  So, after ironing out a few details, the date was set.

Being a shy and retiring type of guy, meetings such as this would usually make me slightly nervous.  Not with Hector though.  Having read his webpage at length, I sensed a familiarity that set me at ease.  I amassed some family to join us too, but strangely no members of the Curry Club?  They clearly were unaware of whom we were to be dining with.  Or perhaps it was a little short notice?

Twelve noon struck, and the curry mobile pulled up outside the International.  Hector was already seated at a large table in the window, and popadoms and pickles were in place.  Hellos were exchanged.  What, a Scottish accent?  I don’t know why I was so surprised – I knew he was Scottish.  It was just that, in my head at least, from only ever reading Hector’s words, he had a Yorkshire accent.

Talked moved along to Bradford and Glasgow curry – both loves of both of us, and the waiter took our orders and sent them to the kitchen.  Hector baggsed the Lamb Methi, so I opted for Lamb Achari.  I had an excellent Achari on my last visit, so was keen to give it another go.  Nobody had a starter and all, except me, went for chapattis.  I had a naan.  All, of course, are included in the price.

What’s going on Hector?  Taking notes and photos already?  What a pro. I feel I need to up the ante.

My general thoughts of the Achari were that it wasn’t quite up to the International’s usual high standards.  My dish was a little oily, and the meat was a little grisly.  If cooked for longer the meat would probably have cooked out.  The taste was there, but just not quite as lip smackingly sharp as an Achari perhaps should be.  I understand Hector was also of the opinion that his Methi was not quite there.  However, the food served at International is so good, that even with our little moans, the curry is still head and shoulders above many other establishments in town/country/World even, and should not for one minute put you off.  Our views were not representative of the rest of the table either.  Both Big Tone, and the Mrs John the Bradford Curry Blooger Lynda, thought there dishes were excellent.  And indeed Lynda’s was.  The rather theatrical copper bucketed Lamb Balti was as per usual Bradford Curry at the International.  Izzy enjoyed her chips too?  Chips!  I know - don’t get me started!

So there we go – another great trip to the International and it was great to meet Hector.  Next time Glasgow…

But first – Bingley Music Live

Life doesn’t get any better.

World Curry Festival

It's back and promising to be bigger and better than ever... oh and this time in Bradford too.  Bonus!

http://www.facebook.com/WorldCurryFest

http://www.worldcurryfestival.com/

Sweet Centre Breakfast

As people may probably know, I'm a big fan of the traditional breakfast, and since my last post regarding the subject, a few more restaurants have come on line offering the much overlooked aspect of curry eating.

The traditional chana dal and puri breaky, served from about 08:00 to lunch time(ish) at The Sweet Centre, on Lumb Lane, is fantastic, and a brill way to start the day.

Not being a big British fry up fan, I'm more likely to be seen tucking into cappuccini and croissants.    However, I do find the bowl of spicy chickpeas and the accompanying puri  very agreeable.  I noted last time I was in the Sweet Centre, for a breakfast, that the chana was rather plain (here) - but in a good way - but not on this visit.  The tender pulses had a fair kick to them, and certainly fired up the engines ready for the day.  As per normal, the puri's were very greasy.  They taste great, but we did over face ourselves with three each!  They are very rich, and we felt two each only would be more fitting.  As with our last visit also, no menus are evident?  I just ordered 'two breakfasts' at the bar.  The chana is scooped into a bowl from a large cauldron behind the bar, the puri's come from the abutting kitchen.  Other 'things' are available... but what I'm not sure?  Kebab's, Samosa's, etc, I have seen people eating

Next time you're passing in the morning, give it a go.  Curry isn't just for night times.

K2 getting a refurb.

The mighty K2, next to the Sweet Centre on Lumb Lane, seems to be in the throws of a re fit. Watch this space for more news.

Sheesh Mahal

Refurbished Exterior

Location

Sheesh Mahal

6 St. Thomass Road,

Bradford,

BD1 2RW

Tel: 01274 723 999

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheesh-Mahal-Restaurant/101728176557834

Time

11^th August 2012 @ ~21:00

Attendees

Lynda and John (me)

Pre-Curry Watering Holes

 

Tonight, apart from the odd boy racer parked on a side street… banging out distorted happy hardcore from a cheap car stereo… Bradford was a ghost town, and, therefore, the Sparrow Bier Café was a welcome oasis of civilization.  Chapeau to the Sparrow boys, who have pounced on the gap in the Bradford market, and are now providing a sophisticated watering hole to the more discerning Bradford punter. Having said that, although in an Aladdin’s Cave of artisan beers, we still opted for a bottle of the cheapest plonk?  No matter, I’m no connoisseur of alcohol – just like to get tipsy! 

Moving on, we went to the adjacent to the Sheesh Mahal New Beehive.  I’ve never wondered what ever happened to the Old Beehive… perhaps I should?  It’s the kind of place I kind of love, but only from a kind of few visits! It’s been mentioned in the past that it seems a little like a brothel!  Now, I’m not about to go down that road, but I see a fantastic old Yorkshire pub with an actual drinking corridor.  A rarely found these days Yorkshire tradition, so I understand. 

Expectations

My expectations couldn’t be higher.  My Glaswegian friend – Hector Curry Heute – is the man whose opinion I value greatly, and a man to look to when considering curry… literally anywhere… and he is a massive champion of Bradford Curry.  Basically, Sheesh Mahal is his fave – and has been for some time.  So, if Hector Curry Heute says it’s good… it’s good.

The Reality

Lynda considers the mixed grill

When we arrived, the restaurant was pretty busy, and was generally bustling.  Poppadom’s, mint sauce, and an excellently fiery lime pickle were plonked on our table with the menus.  Always a nice touch – something to nibble on whilst selecting ones curry.

Mixed grill – obviously, and the Lamb Methi were my choices.  Lynda went for the Lamb (on the bone) Balti.

In no time at all, our mountainous, sizzling, virtually frothing at the mouth starter arrived.  It had a good selection, which included lamb chops, chicken drumsticks, kebabs, tikka and fish masala.  The sizzler was excellent, with some seriously full flavours.

My Lamb Methi was quite literally Bradford on a Plate.  The thick curry was more or less solid meat, cubed small, with the thick masala clinging to it.  The curry did not ooze or move about on the plate.  No, it sat there in the middle of and white bowl, and left nothing but a brown streak as it steadily maneuvered into my mouth.  It was great.

The Lamb on the bone Balti also tasted great – perhaps slightly better - and again was heavy on the meat, and this time was laced with ginger.

The new face lifted restaurant is now very swish, with dark wood and leatherette.  The staff were also friendly and efficient.  All in all a very good meal.

Drinks Policy and range

Sheesh Mahal is totally dry.  But the New Beehive is adjacent, and there is no place better to enjoy a few pints.

Lamb Methi

Highlights

Although the mixed sizzler was very good, it was the Lamb Methi that was the highlight for me.  Typically Bradfordian in every way – dark, rich and dry, more like meat with a clinging smear of sauce!  If you looked up Bradford Curry in the dictionary, a picture of the Sheesh’s Lamb Methi would be the only description needed.  I also really liked Lynda’s Lamb Balti (on the bone).  Both dishes were top draw to me.

Lowlights

Lynda found her Lamb on the Bone Balti a touch oily, but I thought it was just an aspect of the dish, and did not detract from its wonderfulness in any way for me.  Basically it was a man’s curry!  But apart from that everything was amazing.

The Damage

About £12:50pp.  As with most places in Bradford, the Sheesh offered fantastic value for money.

Aftershock

With full tummies after the meal, we became rather lethargic, and jumped on a slightly earlier train home, and relieved the babysitter.

Overall

Well I can’t believe I have never visited the Sheesh Mahal before.  It is the kind of place I set my stall out to discover.   I wished I’d visited before the facelift, in order to be able to compare and contrast but never mind.  I will certainly be visiting the Sheesh more often from now on.

Doing the Rounds

Just a couple of quickies to a couple of my faves.  The International and the Karachi.

International

Bradford Curry lunches are becoming more and more regular in my curry eating calendar.  The International offers the perfect curry lunch.  The fantastic curry goes without saying, but choice of chapatis or naan, and included poppadon and pickles, make a meal from a single dish.  Today I thought I'd try something new, and opted for the Lamb Achari.  Achari is not a dish I select often, but here I'm so glad I did.  The addition of lime pickle in to one of Bradford's finest curry's added real zing to the proceedings.  I'll be going down the Achari route again soon.

Karachi

Back to old faithful - Karachi's Lamb and spinach.  The Karachi again was quietly buzzing with a few tables taken by midday.  Just went straight for curry today due to just popping in for a quick lunch.  Soon arrived and was the usual verging on perfection quality, with no evidence of skimping on the early diners.  It soon disappeared and I was on my way.  Until next time...

Omar Khan’s Wine Bar and Indian Restaurant - Skipton

Location

Omar Khan’s,

Keighley Road

Skipton

West Yorkshire

BD23 2TA

Tel: 01756 460080 

http://www.omarkhans.co.uk/index.asp

Time

29^th July 2012 @ ~17:00

Attendees

Jenny, Lilly, Dan Dan, Ian, Lara, Lynda, Izzy and John (me)

Expectations

I was very excited about visiting the new Omar Khan’s in Skipton.  The ‘other’ Omar Khan’s (in Bradford) was the first restaurant we visited as the Bradford Curry Club – so is where it all started really.  That inaugural Curry Club meet seems a very very long time ago, and much curry has flowed beneath the bridge since then.  I recall an excellent night out – so, the question is, will the new Skipton branch live up to the memories?  Different to Bradford, Skipton also offered the option of al fresco dining and a children’s adventure playground.  But wait, there’s yet more - I’d spotted a special offer of Free Mixed Sizzler starter, for dinners who book tables, through the month August – I was straight on the phone.  Everything was all stacking up nicely.

The Reality

The weather was sunny, but a little changeable, and breezy, so the joy of outside dining was pretty much out of the question.  The sun would, however, play havoc as it streamed through the large glass windows to the front of the very trendy restaurant – we baked!  It didn’t stop us enjoying the wonderful hospitality and brilliant food served up by Omar Khan’s.

After the initial poppadom’s and pickle’s – which were, as is so often the case, good and fresh – the special offer complimentary Mixed Sizzler’s arrived.  Now, in my experience, as seems to be quite often the case, ‘special offer’ fare can, sometimes, be found to be, somewhat lacking in both quality and/or volume – not so with an Omar Khan’s special offer.  No Sirrreee!

What arrived was what I assume to the full blown Mixed Sizzler as per the menu – and for 6 people!  It was huge and split between three sizzling platters – the full Monty basically!  There were onion bhajee, lamb and chicken kebabs and stacks of chicken tikka.  All super. The tikka was wonderfully tasty and moist, and the having both lamb and chicken kebabs offered a contrast I’ve not come across often.  Both kebabs were excellently seasoned, but the lamb had the edge for me.  The onion bhajee were also good, but I didn’t think they were quite up the standard of my Bradford faves.

Now stuffed, we had the prospect of shoe horning our mains in.  The waiter must have seen our concern, and did ask if we’d like to wait a few minutes before the mains.  We took him up on his offer.  If nothing else it gave time for the little ones to run off steam for five minutes in the adventure playground.  I didn’t hear any complaints from the tiny ones, and from what I could gather it was a triumph.

And now to the mains - in short Tava Gosht Lahori.  Yes yes yes!  From menu - ‘Tender morsels of lean Lamb Tikka tossed over an iron skillet with exotic Herbs and Spices. Crushed Garlic, Juliennes of Ginger masked in a light Sauce of Fresh Tomatoes, Spring Onion & Peppers’.  It was a brill dish.  The abundant chunks of lamb were beautifully tender – melt in the mouth – and had been tikka’ed and charred.  The minimal sauce had great flavor, and included a slight sweet element, which was most welcome - maybe from the bell peppers?  Around the table, it appeared the Butter chicken was well received too – especially by the young ‘uns

All the mains were offered in mild/medium/hot – including the Butter Chicken, so plenty of scope to personalise ones dish.  I stuck middle of the road, and my dish was bob on for me.

My Garlic Naan was getting just on the wrong side of crispy for me, but was daubed with a good smear of sliced garlic, and satisfied my – what seem like constant these days - garlic cravings.

Drinks Policy and range

It’s called Omar Khan’s Wine Bar and Indian Restaurant… You do the Math!

Highlights

There were plenty.  The special offer of a huge free sizzler – for a Yorkshire man - is difficult to see beyond… well, it was free!  However, the real star was the Tava Gosht Lahori.  Meaty and tasty, it was an excellent dish.  Also, the midday opening times, the option of al fresco dining, and adventure playground, were all real bonuses for families.

Lowlights

There was nothing moan about.

The Damage

Well… with the ~£30s worth of special offer complimentary sizzler, it was a super reasonable ~£12.50pp.  In reality, all our mains – which were chosen generally off the Specials sections, were all around £9, so Omar Khans is up there cost wise.  However, value for money it certainly was – excellent.

Aftershock

Absolutely stuffed to the gills, it was just a case of nodding off on the settee once home.

Overall 

It was a truly excellent dining experience.  Very swish environs, family friendly, and excellent food, makes Omar Khan’s top draw.  Omar Khan’s in Skipton may offer THE best family Bradford Curry eating opportunity I have come across.

Kerala Café

Please make sure you try Kerala Café – I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.  I hope you won’t be disappointed rather?

Kerala café is a proper little gem on the edge of Bradford – probably Shipley really.  They are succeeding in carving out a nice little niche, and properly deserve a visit.

It’s a nice friendly environment, and an opportunity for the Bradfordian to sample an alternative to the norm of thick, dark, rich, often heavy, ghee’d up to the max, Kashmiri curries… oh and naans on sticks, let’s not forget the naans on sticks...  Ok, ok, ok… Kerala Café, by their own admission, appreciate that for many dyed in the wool Bradford Curry eating folks, the likes of dosa’s, vada’s, fish fry’s, etc. will mean nothing, and sometimes these dinners leave ultimately a little disappointed.  More fool them - just open your eyes please Bradford Curry lovers.

On our recent visit, banners hung in the café window declaring the offer of £5 lunch.  As intrigued as I was, I’d already set my heart on a dosa, but, luckily, having an easily bullied Grandpa’ with us, meant the lunch special wasn’t going to go un-sampled.

Grandpa’ is the ‘dye in the wool Bradford ‘type’ (he’s from Accrington really)’ that I alluded to above, and struggles with the prospect of something new, but did eventually relish the challenge and I think he was happy.  The £5 lunch special comprised a totally vegetarian meal with a big bowl of rice, chapatti and poppadum, with a small chickpea dish, and pickles of onion, carrot and something sour and pretty hot.  There was also a side dish of samba (like a staple vege curry), and also a sweet vermicelli dish.  There were loads of different flavours going on basically.  It was the kind of meal you see on the Travel Channel, served on a pressed steel tray.

All elements worked in harmony, and gave a full on flavour hit.  I will be tempted for next time.  

I thoroughly enjoyed my dosa – a rarely seen dish in Bradford.  It is one of my favourite dishes.  I went vege also, and my beautiful crispy on one side and soft of the other, slightly sour tasting dosa, was stuffed to the gills with potato masala.  The potato was well flavoured and seasoned but was not blow your head off hot.  

Izzy tried the Parippu Vada this time and loved them.  To my palate they were far tastier that the Uzhunnu vada sampled last time.  I’m now a vada convert and would order again.

The front of house guy was helpful and was happy to share appropriate dosa eating etiquete on request.  We were chatting, and he was about to tell us about the different types of Indian food, when the café suddenly started to fill.  He had to curtail his story, but we will look forward to hearing the full tale on our return.