Karachi - The Same Greatness but Better…

Me eating my Lamb and Spinach

But Why?

Well, the Karachi, as we know, serves, what I consider, virtually perfect Lamb and Spinach, and, on this occasion, it was no different.  It provided the craved endorphin hit I desire so much these days.

The addition of plate full of wonderfully tasty fragmented shards and clumps of onion bhaji whetted the appetite fully prior to the arrival of the sizzling pot of curry too.

The waiter was especially helpful and friendly on this occasion – not that they aren’t normally - in as much as – assuming I am a recognised face within the curry eating Mecca that is the Karachi – I don’t receive a menu, but am treated more as a guest, and just asked what I want.  On this occasion, I was given the option of two varieties of Lamb and Spinach – a normal one and a spicy one.  Suffice to say the spicy one was ordered.  It turns out that this is the one I normally receive.  It was probably the Rick Stein version I’m guessing.

The wife eating her Lamb and Spinach

No, the real treat on this visit was the accompanying wife.  We made this visit during a few stolen hours at the end of the day, before returning home to the madness that is ‘terrible two’s’, and outside the group curries enjoyed in the Bradford Curry Club, and almost without the pressure of official Bradford Curry Blogger work - it was just me and the Mrs eating Bradford Curry…  Just like the good old days.  Joy. 

Omar's

The Bradford Curry Club

Location

Omar’s

46 Great Horton Road, 

Bradford,

West Yorkshire

BD7 1AL 

Tell:  01274 414 188

Web: http://www.omars.co.uk

Time

3^rd March 2012 @ ~17:30 

Attendees

Jaz, Francois, Gill, Rob, Jenny, Pete, Lilly, Dan, Deep, Kam, Manraj, Lynda, Izzy and John (me)

Pre-Curry Watering Holes

No pre curry drinking on this occasion.  Small children in tow, and an early sit down time kind of negated this much enjoyed ritual.  There’s always next month though.  For reference, Omar’s is located just below Bradford Uni, so is ideally located for all the local student bars, and also my favourite Weatherspoon’s - The Sir Titus Salt. 

Expectations

HHmmm...  Now What do I Fancy?

‘Yorkshire’s Biggest Naan’s’ is the claim, and I was hoping for a decent feed if nothing else.  I was aware that Omar’s had a good reputation, and was generally popular.  However, nagging at the back of my head was the idea that Omar’s might be pushing the ‘Biggest Naan’s’ thingy at the expense of quality.

The Reality

As with a lot of the recent Bradford Curry Club outings, things got off to a shaky start.  The initial plan was for some healthy eating and shisha smoking at Jumerah.  However, upon arrival at Jumerah we were presented with a closed restaurant, with no sign of life and no evidence of opening anytime soon!  I will monitor the situation.  Hopefully it’s not bitten the dust.

So yet again were had to resort to a Plan B.  A few worthy names were banned about, but I wanted somewhere new and proposed Omar’s.  We missed Omar’s last year and a necessary visit had been on the cards for a while.  Our car load of Curry lovers were in agreement, and a few frantic phone calls later ensured the rest of the brigade were redirected Omar’s.

Phew!!  All was going smoothly all things considering.  ‘Most’ arrived at Omar’s without hitch, with only the unfortunate few making there way up at Omar Khan’s by mistake, but ultimately catching up.

Omar’s is quite a nice place really – all lilac and mood lighting.  The petite and bijou restaurant was buoyantly busy when we arrived, and remained so during our stay, but it was not too much trouble for the staff to quickly rearrange a space in the corner for our group numbering fourteen.  Loads of poppadoms and pickles, and the menus were placed on the table before we’d even sorted ourselves out.  So it was nice to simply sit down, open the menu and start munching.

Seekh Kebab

The varied, now more common, cafesque menu offered a full range of curries, including some mouthwatering specials, along with some burger and pasta etc options to boot.  I also spotted the Notorious Naan – a simply ‘must have’ for the table to tear into.  One interesting section of the menu was titled Sizzling Kebabs on Naan!!  I must have died and gone to heaven surely?  However, these monstrous sounding kebabs were deemed too larger sounding to even share as a starter, so they will have to be saved for another day.

All the orders were taken efficiently by the pleasantly mannered member of staff, me opting for my preferred Lamb Seekh Kebab, and then following with a Paneer Karahi Special (Lamb - but could be ordered with chicken, keema, vege, etc.)

Lamb n Paneer

Due to the size of our group the food took a while to prepare – but nothing excessive – probably just me nursing my single designated driver beer!!  But soon enough my kebabs arrived, and some additional sauces were also provided.  The kebabs were very nice.  Nice bit of heat with tasty spices and herbs, with plenty of moisture and an agreeable charcoal/tandoor after taste.

The curries looked spectacular, all being served in large balti dishes.  My Lamb and paneer wasn’t exactly like what I would consider a traditional ‘Bradford Curry’, it was definitely lighter in colour than other lamb curries I’ve experienced around these parts.  In addition the curry was saucier and gloopier than others eaten.  The flavour was nice but was quite mild, both in the heat and other spices stakes, and was more reminiscent to my mind of a Curry Mile or Balti Triangle curry.  This ‘lighter’ aspect to the curry added a much fresher eating experience than some of the heavy stews served in the vicinity.

One Mighty Naan!

The Notorious Naan has to be seen to be believed – it’s massive!!  But not only that, it’s a good fresh and tasty piece of bread too.  It ate very well.  Although we ordered the garlic version, it didn’t blow your head off with garilciness – perhaps a reflection of the general subtlety of herb and spice use noted in the curry also. 

Drinks Policy and range

BYO.  Cost Cutter is just across the road so no problems if you arrive empty handed.  Bottles openers were offered by the staff.  Of course there is a full range of soft drink’s and lassi’s.

Highlights

The Notorious Naan has to be seen to be believed.  Its size isn’t its only note worthy point though - it’s also a very good naan.  The staff and general service is also worth a mention – no quibbles regarding four young children running round causing havoc.

Lowlights

No lowlights to mention.  However, for me, the actual curry wasn’t perhaps what I would consider classically ‘Bradfordian’, and was definitely lighter in flavour and gloopier, than the dark/dry/rich varieties we often see around Bradford.  My curry was maybe more reminiscent of ones I’ve eaten on my travels in Manchester or Birmingham say?  This is a good thing though if it’s what you’re looking for.

Me and Lady Di

The Damage

I was baby herding during the bill paying procedure – I always like to make myself scarce at such moments!!  I think we paid ~£15pp which, considering this included food for the babies is pretty reasonable.

Aftershock

Apart from leaving the restaurant looking like four little Tasmanian Devils had whirlwinded through, there was no problems.  Although an early doors Bradford Curry eating extravaganza, everyone opted to go there separate ways, and not go for further pints in the Sir Titus Salt.

Overall

I really enjoyed my Omar’s experience.  It was a good Club turn out, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and the service was excellent too, so top marks. 

It's Good to be Back Eating Bradford Curry

Back to Reality

Well, holidays are now over, and as good as it is experiencing wall to wall sunshine, warmth, and the sea and the sky, and an unexpectedly good curry, it's good to get back to reality...  Am I really saying this?







It's true to a certain extent.  The mundane monotonous drudgery of everyday life of get up, go to work, go home, go to bed, repeat, is all worth it for the odd occasion of unplanned Bradford Curry eating at the likes of the Karachi.  All worth it and Karachi's Lamb and Spinach is still my fave Bradford Curry.  Like I say, It's good to be back.

Karachi Lamb and Spinach

Holiday - Fazz's, Lanzarote

Pushing the limits of the youngest
Bradford Curry Club Memeber

Holiday’s…  They're always a worry – if holidaying outside Bradford that is.  “Are we gonna find a decent curry?”

Well, I can confirm, if you’re planning to holiday anytime soon in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, then yes, you’re gonna find Bradfordesque curry for sure.

I'm not wanting to dedicate too many Bradford Curry Blog column inches to a curry house in Lanzarote, but Fazz’s (somewhere on the promenade getting on towards the lighthouse and in the Rubicon Marina shopping center) is well worth a visit.

Not only does Fazz’s proffer high quality curry in a modern environ, with a well-stocked bar, serving amongst other things, local wine – it also provides the holidaying Bradfordian the perfect antidote to the holiday curry blues.

Barring the strange Hotdog flavoured sheikh kebab, the curry was rather tasty and wouldn’t have been out of place if served in the mighty Bradford.

Official Curry Ambassador

John the Bradford Curry Blogger - Official Curry Ambassador
It has a certain ring to is doesn't it?

International #2

Snowy scene from The City Vaults

And two days later I am back again!!  Eating Bradford Curry in the International – it’s a hard life.

This time, however, the visit was on official duty as self appointed Chairperson of the Bradford Curry Club.  No relaxed dinner time curry eating with my baby daughter this time.  Networking, hard drinking, socializing, hard drinking, hard curry eating, oh and hard drinking were required.  It really is a hard life.

However, the original plan wasn't to visit the International at all, on this chilliest of snowy evenings.  No, the original plan was to visit the newly refurbished Sheesh Mahal.   However, on the said evening, the birthday celebrations of an esteemed member were also occurring, and a few drinky poos were on the cards to be consumed.  It became apparent, following an earlier phone call to the Sheesh, that this wasn’t going to happen - not there anyway - due to the confirmed strictly no alcohol policy!  Not wanting to be a party pooper, I proposed a Plan B, which entailed the Markaz in Centenary Square.  It was snowing quite heavily by now, resulting in no one wanting to walk too far, and I was sure Markaz sold booze – and sheesha, and it was also timetabled for a visit later on in the year – Top Draw.

Bum – closed… What now?

We’re stuck in the middle of Bradford, on official Bradford Curry Club duties, and Plan A and Plan B are both out of the window…  What shall we do?  Under such trying circumstances, the normal plan of attack would be… “Let’s just go to the Kash’.”  But no, the first name mentioned was International.  Everyone agreed, so we trotted up the hill, and picked up some wine in t’Witherspoons en route.  That was a bit of an ordeal - and a tale for another day…

We’re finally here… Sitting down with poppadoms, pickles, water and menus was met with some relief.  It seems like every blog at the moment is banging on about the International.  This is for good reason though – it is very good.  And even though I had visited only a couple days earlier, I could not withhold my excitement.

For starter I opted for Tikka Paneer.  Lovely it was too, displaying all the hall marks of quality tandoor cooking.  It was bob on and tasked wonderful.  However, if the paneer was good, it was nothing compared to the lamb chops, one of which I managed to steal from the Mrs.  It was about the best tasting lamb chop I ever encountered.  As with the paneer, the seasoning, quality, flavor, texture, smell, everything was verging on perfection.  I could have eaten them forever.

Curry Heaven - Near perfection.  Lamb Methi

To the main course, and with my heightened elated feelings of general well being, it was with tingling waves of goose bumps I savoured the first few mouthfuls of my Lamb Methi…  Yes, I was in the throws of having a ‘moment’.  I'm not sure I have ever had a curry ‘moment’ before?  But I must admit I quite liked it!  The Methi was Bradford Curry personified and I'm going all goo goo again just thinking about it.  The dark, dry, rich stew, with abundant, slightly disintegrating, meat and the underlying fenugreek flavor - giving the now understood slightly ‘dusty’ (for want of a better word) taste - melted in the mouth and was persuaded into my mouth with gusto utilizing the included garlic naan. 

Curry Heaven.  No other words do it justice.  Curry Heaven

International #1

Last Thursday it was deemed an appropriate time to once again pop to the International to eat Bradford Curry.

International

After arriving in Bradford a little early for their midday opening time, Izzy and me cruised the streets of Bradford scoping out possibilities for future Bradford Curry easting opportunities.  Some were spotted and noted – watch this space.

Izzy and Naan

Well, we were through the door of the International just about bang on midday, and there was already a table of six girls and a further table of six workmen – how these people always beat us I’ll never know?  They must sleep there or something?

A quick dinner was the order of the day, and no time was wasted perusing the menu, or any such nonsense, and our fish pakora and Special Karahi (lamb, chicken and prawns) with naan order was efficiently dispatched to the kitchen.

Mixed Karahi

No significant time passed before our piping hot, wonderfully aromatic and fresh fodder arrived.  On this occasion, the food seemed a little spicy for Izzy, but she persevered – bless.  To the more sophisticated mature palate however, it was business as usual.  The Mixed Karahi seemed a little more ‘saucy’ than the usual rock hard bone dry Trad Brad Curries we usually experience at The International, but ultimately this simply offered more naan dunking opportunities. 

The International is simply a wonderful Bradford Curry eating Experience.

However, all this quick dinner time curry is nothing more than an hors d'oeuvre to the main course – which we didn’t know at the time was going to happen – but did - a Saturday Night International Curry.  Whoop Whoop!!!

More on this later…

The Madras - Hull

Yes yes yes I know this is a blog dedicated to Bradford Curry, and over recent months there have been blogs about Glasgow and now Hull, but I do like to try and chronicle all my travels, especially if the establishments visited are worth meriting – I hope dear readers you don’t mind?

So a late afternoons drinking and night out to the Hull Truck Company Theatre, to see Once Upon a Time in Wigan, resulted in two very hungry Bradford Curry Club members on the prowl for Hull based curry come 11pm.  Although once a student in Hull (20yrs ago), my knowledge of current curry restaurants is very limited to say the least – non existent would be more accurate, and I seem to remember that surviving on 9p noodles and fish fingers was the order of the day back then, rather than swanky dinning.  Something my waistline thanked me for it must be said.

So, a quick ‘best curry in Hull’ Google search on the iPhone presented us with The Madras on Analby Road – and was just around the corner, so ideal.

I think because of the time of night, when we arrived we were the only dinners.  But the staff were very friendly and accommodating, even though I think perhaps they were getting ready to go home.  I found myself sat looking out of the window of the rather large open restaurant, so paid little attention to the décor – suffice to say I think it was very clean, and presentable, in that kind of modern way.

Drinks (larger on draft) and popdoms ordered, along with the sizzling started, a curry each, a garlic naan and the chapattis!!  Phew.

The Sizzling starter as ace had all the usual suspect present.  Seekh Kebab, chops, ect.  All well seasoned, tasty and well cooked.

I can’t remember the name of the lamb based curry I ordered, as it was in part recommended by the waiter.  I can say though that it was excellent, and seemed a little reminiscent of a Dopiaza (although it wasn’t – as it was off the specials menu and defo had a name I hadn’t come across) as it included large pieces of juicy onion.  The dish as a whole was very pleasantly gloopy – perfect for dipping the garlic naan in - and perfectly spiced.  I didn’t hear any complaints from the Mrs either regarding her curry.

The Madras was a very good indeed overall curry eating experience, and I can highly recommend it if you’re ever in that neck of the woods.

Akbar’s The Café

Akbar's The Cafe from the side

Akbar’s is a Bradford institution, and was originally/still is considered by this merry band of Bradford Curry eaters to be THE Bradford Curry by which ALL others should be judged…  A bold statement, but one which reflects the high regard we, as individuals, all held for the restaurant prior to the birth of the Club.

However, the last, and only documented, time, we have visited Akbar’s proper (not the Cafe) as the Bradford Curry Club, was on an incredibly busy night and, although we couldn’t fault the service or food, the atmosphere was slightly lacking.  The blog of the evening can be viewed here.

An Akbar's napkin

Now, to be honest, we have visited Akbar’s The Café too before, but it was not documented.  If I remember rightly - Bradford Curry offered that day was 'Ten Men' - but we were not too keen on the café concept, and didn’t think the likes of lasagne, burgers, etc. had a place on a hard core Bradford Curry House menu.  However, we now admit that those views were a little snobby and narrow-minded, and these days we embrace such forward thinking ideas.

So how about Akbar’s The Café – how does it fair?

It fairs very well thank you very much. 

Although one of the first people through the door on the dot at noon, the Café soon filled, and the ultra modern glass, stainless steel and brown leatherette was all very cool and made for an comfy and relaxed location to spend an hour or so.

Lamb Handi and Tandori Roti

Our order was taken and the food soon arrived.  Not perhaps as lightening quick as some other restaurants visited recently, but it’s not a race at the end of the day – and still a darn site faster than McDonalds if you order a Big Mac without the gherkin!!  Fish Masala, Lamb Handi and two Tandori Roti’s provided plenty of food for the Curry Monster Izzy and me.  Izzy tucked into the Fish Masala with gusto and, when I was reluctantly allowed to sample the fish, I can report it was beautifully seasoned, soft, moist and well cooked.  The Lamb Handi was also top draw and was thick and dry.  It was on the spicy side it must be said – a little too much for Izzy – but was bob on for me.  It was also noted to be - in a very good way – garlicy, and it is definitely worth sampling.  MMmmmm.  Post meal I was informed by a helpful member of staff that the curries can be made milder, and just to simply ask when ordering.  Very accommodating, but sorry Izzy, you'll just have to suck in the pain and 'Man Up' if you want some of your Daddy's curry.  I had my handi plain but it can be ordered with spiniach, dall, chickpeas, etc, so is quite customisable.

Izzy with Fish Masala

There were no downsides at all to note.  The Café was clean and staff excellent and I considered it great value for money.  Speaking off the top of my head though, perhaps for some hardened Bradford Curry eaters the super trendy interior might grate slightly… who knows?  That’s just personal taste and I do know some people like that.  There is also the fact that Akbar’s is essentially a chain restaurant these days and that might not necessarily appeal to those looking for, well, somewhere that is not a chain?

All in all on this visit I am sold, I reckon the quality is excellent and I will definitely be visiting Akbar’s The Café again soon.

Isabella You’ve made Your Dad Very Proud

A wonderful thing happened last night.  My (nearly) 2yr old Daughter said ‘curry’ for the first time…  I’m so proud.

It occurred during bath time, during a chat regarding what she wanted to do on Thursday?  I asked if she wanted to go out for dinner, and pressed further to see if she would fancy a Bradford Curry…  Currently her favourite meal is beans and sausages, and I was totally expecting her response to my query to be ‘eans and ‘osage ‘ease Daddy.  Imagine my delight when the immortal word ‘curry’ resonated around the bathroom?

So I can see a little Father and Daughter bonding session occurring this Thursday.  I wonder where she would like to go - a question for tonight’s bath time I think.

Off With a Bang in 2012 - Karachi does it Again

Three generations enjoying the Karachi

The start of a New Year, but no time for romanticising about New Years Resolutions/New Dawn’s/starting afresh/etc.  Only time for the continued quest to eat Bradford Curry… To the Karachi we go.

After being teased regarding my lack of 2012 curries by my new friend and No.1 curry aficionado Hector Curry-Heute, I had to up my game and get into Bradford town centre as soon as possible for a Bradford Curry.  Luckily my current life situation affords me Thursday’s off work - to do my house husband bit and mind my beautiful daughter Isabella.  These Thursdays are fast becoming opportune Bradford Curry eating fixes.  Isabella loves it too.

A sideways view of  curry

Izzy tucks in no worries

So, with this in mind, and my Dad in tow too, it was off to the Karachi.  As you are all probably more than aware, Karachi currently offers up John the Bradford Curry Bloggers, oh and that chef Rick Stein’s,  No.1 Bradford Curry, in the form of the mouth watering Meat and Spinach and, yet again, it was verging on the ridiculously excellent.  Beautiful tender and abundant meat, in a thick, perfectly spiced, and slightly deconstructed sauce – this curry offers everything to this writer, and every mouthful was met with increased endorphin release. 

A bit of a sickly sweet shot
I know, but I like it

On this most recent visit, the above was paired with a massive plate of perfectly haphazard and tasty onion bhaji and a peshwari naan.  To be brutally honest, neither was perhaps up to the standards of the near by Kashmir, but certainly not far off, and didn’t stop us devouring every last morsel.

Until next time….

AGM - Zouk

Another year and another AGM has now passed.  The masses spoke and aired their views, through the medium of a Facebook poll, and Zouk was chosen as the venue to eat Bradford Curry in, in the yearly celebration of the Bradford Curry Club.

I for one was pleased with the choice – Zouk was last visited by the group as a whole in the summer of 2009, and was very well received, but how would it stack up now?  Many restaurants have been visited and many curries eaten in the intervening time – can it still cut the mustard?

Not only have many restaurants been visited, and many curries eaten, but some big changes have taken place within the ranks of the Bradford Curry Club – namely babies.  Last time we dined at Zouk, as a group at least, we were all young, free and single – not really – but so to speak.

Baby herding

In a nutshell, our visit to Zouk in 2009 was a Cobra fuelled curry eating frenzy of the highest order.  It was a Rock ’n’ Roll night out of the magnitude never then or since witnessed in a curry house.  By contrast our recent AGM at Zouk was a far more sedate, but equally enjoyable, basic baby herding exercise.  To their credit, the staff at Zouk were very accommodating, and seemed suitably un-phased by four toddlers/small children running amok around their rear restaurant area.

Lamb Rogan Josh and Garlic Naan

The food was excellent.  My Seekh kebab was wonderfully moist, with the flavour of the grill permeating every mouthful.  Zouk’s open kitchen is a wonderful place to spend a few moments observing the chef’s taming the mighty tandoor and open grills.  My main of Lamb Rogan Josh was spotted on the specials board.  It comprised a much reduced sauce that was strong in flavour, but a little oily.  The meat quota was high, melt in the mouth, and with the addition of the slight disintegration of the meat aiding in the thick and rich nature of the dish.  This dish was, however, £9.95, and I bet must be one of the most expensive ‘standard curries’ available in Bradford.  It was good – I’ll give you that – but perhaps not quite £10 good. 

Elsewhere on the table, the highlight - perhaps a little unexpectedly for me - was the Paya (trotters).  I say ‘unexpectedly’, not for any other reason other than my rather squeamish narrow minded view of rough cuts and offal in general.  However, although the meat did seem nothing more than bones, gristle and fat – and definitely not for me – the dish was presented in the very authentic style with thin but dark gravy, strong with the flavour of ginger.

 

I am pleased to say that Zouk is still very good as far as I am concerned, and the overall dining experience makes it one of the top Bradford Venues.

Izzy and Me Do ‘Bratford’

The cat's called Jawa

Izzy and I had a few things to do last Thursday.  Essentially a trip into Bradford was necessary to buy some traditional Indian sweets for Crimbo present’s.  So, with this in mind we trotted off with a sense of urgency that only a Father and Daughter pair, with something useful and worthwhile to do, can do.  At the back of our minds though I’m sure, was the thought that “whilst in Bradford it would be rude not to eat some Bradford Curry for lunch.”  Would you expect anything less of us dear readers?

La Jawaab, Oak Lane, Bradford

We initially headed to Oak Lane where, last time I was up that neck of the woods, I’d spotted Mughal’s Sweet’s.  It seemed like a good place to buy sweet’s, considering the Bradford Curry Club enjoyed their café style eater on Leeds Road…  However, Mughal’s Sweet’s was shut down!  Never mind, we had spotted La Jawaab – another sweet shop - just down the road – so popped in there.  Now, I’m no expert on such matters, but La Jawaab seemed to have a decent selection, and at £3.25/500g, they seemed value for money.  They didn’t last long at work either, so must’ve been pretty good.

An aside...  The Sheesh Mahall refurb is coming on

Fish Pakora

Kashmir Established 1958...
Izzy Established as the No. 1
Bradford Curry Eating Toddler
2010

However, all this is merely preamble to the highlight of our visit to Bradford – a trip to the legendary Kashmir.  Now, most will know that, although the Kashmir is by far and away THE Bradford Curry restaurant this blogger has eaten most Bradford Curry in over the years, and that, although the Kashmir has numerous excellent aspects to its dining experience, the curries have, sometimes, left me a little disappointed.  This appears to have changed recently, and a recent dinner time trip last the summer, after the Sky Ride, proved that the Kashmir to be on the up.  So, how would it fair this time?  Brilliantly is the answer.  There is no need to worry about the Fish Pakora, as these have always been excellent.  Likewise with the Kashmiri Naan - which was found to be stuffed to the gills with flaked, and crushed almonds, and with a healthy helping of sultanas to boot, and served piping hot and smothered in butter.  Mmmm!! For main course, Izzy and me shared the Meat and Spinach Masala, and it certainly had a good bash and tipping my favourite Karachi Lamb and Spinach from its lofty pedestal as my favourite Bradford Curry – and that’s saying something.  It had all the ingredients of the classic Bradford Curry in that it was dark and rich, and generally dry.  There was a good meat quota, and the spinach added that slightly irony flavour.  Ours was not too hot and spicy, so was enjoyed greatly by Izzy too – a winner.

Say 'Cheese'

Roll on next time…