Curries and Ashton Lane

[f4f3]

Well, last night was semi-officially my last big blowout meal for a while. I've decided to be exercise a bit of tough love on myself, as hotel living and a shrinking waist-line are not compatible, and I'm seeing the doctor in three weeks.

At least I went out in style. My three favourite curry houses in Glasgow are all run by the same people. One is Mother India, a ramshackle place in an old bank (I think) on two separate floors with mismatched furniture and lighting which could charitably be described as individual. The food is superb. The other two are both called "The Wee Curry Shop". One is just round the corner from Glasgow's art house cinema, the GFT, and has maybe a half dozen tables and a counter behind which the chef cooks up some equally wonderful food and passes it to the one waitress. Last time I was in it was red and white check plastic tablecloths, and bring your own bottle.

The other Wee Curry Shop is in Ashton Lane in the West End. Ashton Lane deserves its own entry (hell, it deserves its own blog, and probably has one) since it has so many fond memories for me. It's maybe a hundred yards long from the Ashoka West End to the Cul de Sac, and (counting the Wee Chip which is around the corner but part of the Ubiquiotous Chip building) has nine bars, 7 restauants and a Cinema. A couple of years they slung a web of lights over the Lane, and it makes a nice roof when it gets dark.

The Wee Curry Shop is at the north end of the lane, above Jinty McGinty's Irish Bar (home at one time to Irish Phil, site of my last drink as a single man, and previously mentioned as the place with the blonde barmaid with the large Blqack Bush).

I had a whole haddock, baked in spices to start with, and then buttered chicken which leapt off my plate and demanded to be eaten. The basmatti rice was well prepared, and the peshwari nan came perfectly puffed, like an albino wannabe tortoise.

I'm used to seeing half full plates go back after an Indian meal, but there wasn't a scrap left on mine.

A nice black bush sipped outside of Jinty's, watching the lane go by, and propitiary visits to The Chip and Brel, and I went home in a fine, relaxed state of mind.

Sometimes life is just for living...

Comments

[rparvaaz.livejournal.com]

I hate chicken and it really is too hot to eat Mughlai food, but that description made me want a Mughlai meal...

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Sorry! But they had prawn saag too if that's more like it, and they do a very nice lamb shank with bitter melon.

[rparvaaz.livejournal.com]

Prawns are okay but I am a vegetarian where Indian food is concerned. And it really is too hot to eat spicy, buttery food. Not your fault though...

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Not a pescetarian then?

[morgaine-x.livejournal.com]

Sounds lovely - I shall post later about last night myself.

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

You monster: you swore you'd never tell!

[morgaine-x.livejournal.com]

I never did!

[munchkinstein.livejournal.com]

The Wee Curry Shop is indeed rather fine, although definately a case of you get what you get due to their fine but limited menu. I haven't actually been to Mother India although Mother India's cafe is one of the best group eating experiences I have had.

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

You're right, it is a pretty small menu (one page and three specials last night!) but I could go along and eat their chilli chicken every night and not complain. If only I could get them to serve Crolla's ice cream with the Gulab Jamaan.

Mother India's cafe? Is that Cafe India (near the Mitchell) or somewhere else I should know about?

[munchkinstein.livejournal.com]

Mother India's Cafe is directly opposite The Kelvingrove Art Galleries. They don't take bookings and so you just turn up, queue and get the first space available. The main point to remember is that they serve curry in a Tapas stylee. i.e. many small dishes. Hence the best idea is to turn up with a large-ish group and each order two different things. That way you can try a vast range of very nice curries in a sociable manner without too much expense. I have been with six to eight on a number of occasions and it has worked very well.
I think it is the same group as Mother India, which would make sense. Here is Alex Kapranos to recommend it.

[unblinkered.livejournal.com]

I'd rather eat somewhere that does a small selection of dishes well, than somewhere that does a million dishes badly. When I had the coffee shop, our menu - including descriptions - was one full A4 page & a specials board. We could've had more, but then we wouldn't have been able to guarantee the quality of every plate that went out.

My father still waxes lyrical about the Chip's whiskey selection - 10 years later!

[rparvaaz.livejournal.com]

I haven't actually been to Mother India

'Tis fun but I would suggest that winters are better. And we don't expect the non-Indians to tag on the 'Mother' so you can drop that bit... ;)

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

But I like the Mother idea - and the summers are definitely better for Glasgow!

[itchyfidget.livejournal.com]

Ah, Ashton Lane ... *sigh*

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

Yes, it has that affect on me too - I still spit when I go past Vodka Vodka, though, as I haven't forgiven it for replacing the Grosvenor Caff.

[(Anonymous)]

The Grosvenor Cafe isn't there anymore? *cries*

[deililly.livejournal.com]

I am so hungry now...

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

I've been good for lunch - baked potato and fruit salad.

[rparvaaz.livejournal.com]

That actually sounds more appealing. It is past 5pm here, guess I should start thinking about lunch then...

[deililly.livejournal.com]

Well done! Must have been hard after such wonderful food last night to stop yourself. I seem to get terrible munchies once a curry is halfway digested!

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

Sounds good. I can see when I next visit Glasgow, I'll spend the whole time eating.

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

And drinking. Don't forget drinking.

[parthenia14.livejournal.com]

*pines*

*eats crappy room service burger*

*fails to surf net except via gprs,owing to crap, avaricious nature of hotel*

p14

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

The Holiday Inn I'm staying at charges TWENTY FUCKING PENCE A FUCKING MINUTE for wireless. I'd rather come back to the office than pay that.

[parthenia14.livejournal.com]

Well!!! I can better that. 50p a minute on plug-in LAN(but it didn't actually work), or £20 for 2 hrs wi-fi and - wait for it - £70 for 24 hrs.

And no fucking Sky.

Makes my £3 on GNER (current location) look quite saintly.