Signs of progress at The Village

This is the first Blog since the brand new Website: “curry-heute.com” was established. 48 hours is a long time in Blogging. Hector has noticed that Google have now dropped this Blog from their search engine results for ‘Glasgow curry’. It used to appear straight after the presumably paid for selected restaurants. Now this Blog can only be found by Googling ‘Glasgow Curry Capital’. The Curry Karaoke (if someone can tell me when it is quiet Hector may pay a visit) now appear first - £££??? Do they want me to pay them, is this how it works?

Fifteen days is a Long time

It is Friday, it is a long time since Hector was at The Village (129 Nelson St, Tradeston, Glasgow, G5 8DZ).

The expansion of the Village downstairs is showing the first external signs of progress. There could be windows under the tarpaulin. The new premises will be vast and the exterior will hopefully not lead to descriptions as another 'Great Industrial Curry Shop of The North'.

Time will tell, meanwhile Hector feels at home in the temporary 'Villagio'.

The Curry-Heute is the Lamb Tawa (hot) with the usual Vegetable Rice. It is Friday teatime after all and ballast is required for the night to come at The Bon Accord. Ah, Hector has just been informed that Punk IPA is on tonight. We should have this finished by 2100.
Paul texted Robin last evening to tell him what was on at The Bon : The Celtic game... Oh how we laughed...



The Tawa is a close relative of the Village Lamb Desi Korma, it is slightly less intense. In a blind tasting Hector wonders if he could tell them apart. Can the Chef?
The Village curries do not instantly blow you away, the taste creeps up on you. The rich sauce (onion and yogurt based) has a citrus aftertaste that lingers for hours.
Today the Vegetable Rice was truly outstanding. There was much more potato than normal and the Rice arrived piping hot. Sometimes one sees it sitting waiting for the arrival of the Curry.
Tonight was a perfect Village experience.

A Virgin Visitor at The Village

Ian has been back from Malta for some time now, but Hector has been out of the country recently. It was Ian who suggested a lunchtime Curry Heute, and he let Hector choose the venue.
As Ian had never been to The Village (129 Nelson St, Glasgow, G5 8DX) this was the obvious place to go for the finest Curry in Glasgow. It also means we can continue with the game of spotting the Curry variants served up in this establishment.



Once again there were no Specials on The Board. The main menu was the glanced at: Ian took the advice and had The Village Lamb Desi Korma, Hector opted for the Lamb Laal Lahori. Hassan and Maggie were on duty to serve us. Maggie confirmed that you do get more Lamb if you order it off-the-bone. However, the Aloo Gosht on-the-bone, when available must be ordered.

The Laal Lahori
This superb dish is tomato based with garlic, ginger and chillies. The tomato was certainly to the fore. The meat as ever was cut with a fork quality and melt in the mouth.



Today the Chef is Thomas : The Village Lamb Desi Korma is Yellow



The summer vacation is nearly over. Back to the grind and fewer mid-week Curries.

The Village : Yvonne's Treat

The three Tuesdays Hector has been in Glasgow this summer vacation the Village (Nelson St, Glasgow) has been the venue of choice.Yvonne wished to celebrate the last day of her holiday. She and Craig (absent) also wished to treat Hector for the fine work he did organising the recent vacation: "Hector's Hilpoltstein Happenstance".

Howard came along wearing his green suit.


Maggie, the lunchtime waitress was there to greet us at the Village . She assured us that Faruk, the good Chef, was on today and that the Village Lamb Desi Korma would be its usual self. It was.



For the first couple of mouth fulls, yesterday's Mother India's Cafe experience was still to the fore in the memory of the taste buds. Then wonder of The Village kicked in. The Citrus taste lingered for hours.



Howard chose the Lamb Laal Lahori, always a good alternative. This was again reported to be in fine form.


Howard at work

It is not a Saturday but in holiday mode we retired to the Allison Arms, we have not had German Bier for two days after all.



A Celebrity at The Bon Accord
Who is that with Hector?

Topsy Turvy was the main attraction at The Bon Accord until a TV celebrity walked in to enjoy the ales.

If it's Tuesday...

A solo visit to The Village (129 Nelson St, Glasgow)

Hector looked at The Board: Aloo Gosht, that had to be the dish for today.

This was truly one of the most sublime Curries Hector has ever eaten. Sheer perfection!

The Lamb on the bone was in the exact quantity to complement the sauce, not too much bone either. The sauce was rich, full of flavour and not too oily. Every mouthful was a moment of absolute pleasure. The accompanying Vegetable Rice was straight from the kitchen: steaming hot.

This is what The Village is all about.

To absent friends, and Hector

In Hector's absence up north, 7 of us gathered at the Village for a Saturday afternoon curry.

Although one of the best places for a curry, I have to admit that the Village is not exactly a byword for fast and efficient service - as Craig and Yvonne will confirm, having waited for an hour to be served their meals!

The delay was not the worst of it, however. 5 desi kormas were ordered - regular readers will know that this dish can vary substantially - unfortunately, the variation on this occasion was to forget it was meant to be "desi"... 5 very ordinary kormas were delivered, much to the disgust of most of us (Howard seemed happy with his...)

A sign of a good restaurant is how it deals with complaints. The offending dishes were removed, and fairly quickly replaced with something closer to the usual. The accompanying rice dishes were also replaced, and a fresh naan bread was provided (a bonus, as the original was being shared between Howard and Tracey).

At the end of the meal, we were offered complimentary desserts by a somewhat embarrassed waiter. When these were declined, we were presented with the bill, which had been substantially discounted. All in all, in my opinion, the Village redeemed itself well!

Home, home again, The Village, of Course!

Too oily...not green enough...
Despite contacting the usual interested parties for a 17.00 rendezvous, other people were apparently too busy to join Marg and Hector. But surprise , surprise, John was in situ, his peace was about to shattered. John is at the Village (Nelson St, Glasgow) as often as Hector but this was the first time we have ever been simultaneously.

John was awaiting the Saag Gosht, a dish he had thoroughly enjoyed on Sunday. As is typical tonight’s dish was not as green as he had 48 hours previously and was described as being too oily.

The dish was completed and John was gone before Hector’s Village Lamb Desi Korma and Marg’s Lamb Tawa made their appearance. An Aloo Paratha and the Vegetable Rice were the accompaniments.

This was very much a homecoming meal.
This week The Village Lamb Desi Korma has a distinct yellow hew.
The Tawa was exceptionally oily, indeed there was a lake of oil left at the base of Marg’s dish.

Later we made a rendezvous at the Society Rooms for the promised Jaipur. Neil ordered food: it was NOT a Curry!

Absent Friends and Mr Boyd, at The Village

Six on a Saturday afternoon

The Calendar stated that this was the day of ‘Yvonne at The Ally’. Inevitably this meant joining Jonathan, Dr Stan and Hector for the Saturday ritual curry. Marg had her first free weekend in ages, and Mr Boyd arrived, eventually.
The Chapli Kebab was the only starter ordered, by Mr Boyd.

All six of us ordered – wait for it : The Village Lamb Desi Korma (three ‘hot’). The accompaniments were Pilau Rice, vegetable Rice and a Paratha.

All six dishes arrived together, and guess what? They were all the same colour, texture and presumably taste. This must be the most consistent presentation of this dish achieved in my presence in all of the visits. So the conclusion now is: this dish is light brown.

It is of course the best Curry in Glasgow!

Friday, 5-15, The Village

A Curry before the Bon Accord

This was the pre-Birthday Celebration Curry-Heute: Jonathan’s birthday was back in April in München and coincided with the Volcano. Tonight the masses were due at The Bon Accord to finally and formally celebrate his 40th.
When Mr Holden and Mr Taylor were up a month ago they were taken to The Village by Dr Stan and they raved about the Chapli Kebab starter. When a man from Bradford says this is a good Curry House and raves about a starter, one takes it seriously.
The Chapli Kebab hails from Afghanistan and is made from minced meat. Dr Stan and Jonathan both ordered this: Hector was permitted a taste. One could describe it as something like an Indian style schnitzel. Very tasty with the spice and the coriander to the fore. Next time I will be tempted.

As we were under a bit of pressure to get to The Bon Accord Hector wondered why starters were being ordered at all.

The main course took an age to arrive from the perspective of this commentator who had to wait whilst others ate.

For a complete change, Hector ordered the Saag Gosht. This is a very dry and herby dish, enough to me me a 'happy old Hector'. The Mustard leaves are not as tart as the equivalent Palak (Spinach) version.

Dr Stan had the Village Lamb Desi Korma: it was the brown version tonight. Jonathan had the Lal Lahore which appeared to have more tomato than I remember from the start of the week when I nearly had this dish.

D/Phyeley : A Village phenomenon

Hector saw the lights of Bradford, but the Curry was over a green hill far away...

A Curry-free weekend. Well almost. The Field Centre at Malham had Local Lamb Curry on the menu on Saturday evening. From where was this being sourced Hector enquired. It turned out that it was the Lamb that was local, not the Curry. So, not a Desi as one would hope, but an in-house 'catering for children' style meal. Hector had three platefuls.

A soon as Marg was free we sped straight to The Village. A starter for a change. The D/Phyeley had been spotted previously on the menu. When one 'Google's' this, The Village on-line menu appears. Whatever it means, it must be unique?

We were advised that it was lentil and yogurt based. Perhaps it was, in reality it was like cold sponge with flour balls covered in yogurt. Not wonderful.

And so straight in to the main event. Hector ordered a hot Lamb Lahore, Marg the Lamb Tawa.

The Lamb Lahore immediately hit the spot. Marg started the Tawa then stopped. 'There are chillies in this'. Had the chef spiced up the wrong dish?

We swopped the entire meals, so Hector was now in charge of the Lamb Tawa, Marg the Lamb Lahore.
The Lamb Tawa immediately hit the spot.

'There are chillies in this', the lady declared once more. So there were. No error had been made. Marg was simply being tested, a real curry after the safety net of Butter Chicken elsewhere.

Hector can verify that both dishes were in good form.

We then went to the King's Theatre to see Spamalot. It is a musical! ...with songs, and dancing...and the occasional Monty Python scene re-enacted from the movie.
Fear not, a theatrical Blog is not about to be born.

The Village Calls...

Friday Night is Curry Night?

It is two weeks since Jonathan and Hector sat together and dined in The Village (Nelson St, Glasgow). This had to be rectified, and such was the weekend schedule there was only one window of opperchancity.

This means it is over a month since Hector had the Village Lamb Desi Korma (hot) with vegetable rice. Ah, what a delight.

Tonight it was the turn of the chef who produces ‘the brown’ variety to be on duty. The dish appears in random colours, the texture is inconsistent, the taste varies, some are markedly better than others. This was in top form: the citrus was effective, the quantity perfect and the temperature was steaming hot.

Hector got stuck in whilst Jonathan waited an age for his meal.

Perhaps inspired by the great experience in Crawley six days previously, Jonathan ordered the Lamb Tikka. This was due to come with sauce and rice.

The rice and sauce came along with Hector’s curry, the meat arrived after an uncomfortable period of time. Time to cool down?

We like our food hot, as in straight from the pot hot. I suspect one of us had the better deal.

Jonathan described the Lamb Tikka as dry and tender and not too spicy.
Hector did taste the sauce, for quality control purposes. Could it possible have come out of the same pot as the Lamb Desi Korma? You bet, but it was very sweet in comparison. Ah, the citrus...

Wir essen Curry Heute im den Rathaus!

A return to The Village

Three weeks since Hector’s last visit to the 'Glasgow Mecca‘, well the publicity has not be that sensational in recent times. The café has clearly now met the approval of those who decide when our health and safety are not being compromised and so it is business as usual.


The Board had Aloo Gosht, it must be matter of days since I had this, I must like it, because there was nothing else going to interest me: lamb on the bone in one of my favourite sauces.





Jonathan ordered the Chicken Tawa then changed his mind when we were asked if I wanted mine on the bone or off. Jonathan would have preferred the ‘off the bone’ version of Aloo Gosht but the waiter had not heard him, he is a quiet chap after all. And so Chicken Tawa it was to be.

We sat in companionable silence and ate. It was towards the end game when Hector announced that this was comfort eating.
It has been written before; it will hopefully continue to be written: The Village serves the best curry in Glasgow.

The Village is closed!

Today's Glasgow Evening Times reports that the temporary premises ‘The Villagio’ across the street from the main restaurant has been closed by the environmental health people. Rats were found in the cellar. These premises have been lying empty for years possibly. The problem has been addressed and the take away unit has been allowed to re-open.

Hector has a cunning plan

So Hector will not be going there for his Saturday afternoon fix.

A Village Birthday Treat!

Sunday as will be posted was the planned birthday-dinner Curry Fest, but how could Marg refuse Hector: the promise of a Village (Nelson St, Glasgow) curry is one way of extracting a man from The 23rd Paisley Beer Festival.

Arriving at the temporary ‘Villagio’ Hector was surprised to see it closed so early. Upstairs it is then: the upstairs restaurant has not been blogged and it a while since Hector and Marg have been here. The upstairs has an ambience that the café does not.


It was empty for a Friday night (very strange) and our favourite (downstairs) waiter was in attendance,
The downstairs menu was also presented, strange happening number three.

Hector was drawn once more to the Lamb Lahore a very spicy and satisfying dish. Marg had the Chicken Tawa: what is it with people and this dish? I must try it some time.

The Village is a hamlet no more...

Open for business as usual, so I'll have 'The Usual'...
Two weeks since the last Village (Nelson St, Glasgow) experience, far too long. What is happening? Posters on the window…ah the planned renovations are under way. The downstairs is being expanded into the industrial unit across the small lane, strange, but we will find out when all is complete in two months.



And so now the ‘Villagio’, the Halal Italian (?) restaurant of old, located directly across the street has been brought back to life. This is a very pleasant room and a lot more spacious than our old faithful. The toilets here at least usable.


Jonathan was delayed so this gave Hector the opportunity to take multiple photos of our new temporary ‘home’. The board only had lamb chops on offer, ok I admit I have not been tempted yet to try what I know others are raving about, but it is a long, long time since the Lamb Desi Korma has been ordered. Plus, as it changes every time we have it, it must be different in its new location. Jonathon ordered the Chicken Tawa. Happiness is…










The Village Lamb Desi Korma is a dish I cannot complement too highly. The subtle yogurt sauce blended with citrus leaves an after taste may not be to everyone’s liking, however when you get a good one, and today’s certainly was, I doubt if there is better curry served anywhere in Glasgow. But Hector will keep looking.

At the end of the meal Hector was escorted back across the street to the old haunt as the credit card facility was not set up yet in the new premises. The place was stripped down to sandstone walls. ‘This will be the kitchen area and through the wall will be the new place…and why are you taking all of these photographs?’