THE WORLD CURRY TOUR.
During the contentious factory closure period, mentioned in my life story, our team needed to undertake a great deal of oversea work, tranferring production equipment to a variety of Worldwide locations.
Whilst overseas, maybe to have some taste of home or just to break the monotony of being away from home, the world curry tour was concieved.
The principle was simple, to locate, find and eat at Indian restaurants in the various countries that we found ourselves. Compare and contrast
the quality and style of the food, using the FTUKI, see explanation below.
Company expense policies were in play, therefore only the best dishes were to be selected and a copious amount of research had to be carried out
on beer comparison, for the sake of accuracy.
The tour was mainly undertaken by myself Toby and a curry loving colleague Mr Thunderclap, although various other people became involved, not
always by choice on their part, some regretted it later, but no one was harmed in the pursuit of this research.
Even after the final closure, with personnel leaving the company and moving on to new jobs and employers, the WCT continues.
China
Xi'An.
Delhi Durbar Restaurant.
Located very near to the Big Goose Pagoda, but I don't know the address,
Tel: 029-85255157
Another good restaurant, although there were no poppodoms or yoghurt sauce.
Some dishes such as the Jalfrezi and Madras were very good, tasting the same as the UK, strangely the vindaloo was less hot than the Madras,
unless there was a mix up at serving. There was some confusion as there were some Americans in our party, who don't seem to understand Indian food and
wanted to order curry, but without the sauce?
Good job Mr Thunderclap wasn't present (short fuse when curry is involved).
Kingfisher and local beer available, but no Cobra, not in beer form anyway.
No website.
Hong Kong
Gaylord Restaurant.
Address: 23-25 Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Tel: 852/2376 1001
Excellent Chicken Madras & Mushroom rice! portions are mega but Kema Nan is very thin and served in sections.
Has live Indian music – 3 piece outfit complete with wailing of some kind.
Reasonable cost.
This report is direct from Mr Thunderclap himself, who else would find a restaurant called gaylord ?
France.
Le Havre.
Le Punjab Restaurant
Address: 5 Rue du Général Faidherbe, 76600 Le Havre, France.
This restaurant is situated close to the quayside and handy for the cross channel ferry port.
All of the usual dishes served in UK curry houses were available, but unfortunately they didn't taste the same, scored low on the FTUKI.
Our opinion was that the dishes had been toned down for the local market, fair enough.
So as a rule of thumb, move up a hotness level than you normally order, normally madras, then go for a vindaloo and so on.
Italy.
Venice.
Ganesh Ji Restaurant.
Address: Fondamenta Rio Marin, Venice, Italy, Tel: 041-719084
The portion of Chicken Vindaloo served was a bit on the small size, but had a good flavour comparable to a UK madras strength. The Keema Nan was
a bit hard and brittle and would be good for setting spark plugs. Nice friendly staff, good service.
Malaysia.
Kuala Lumpur.
Jassal Tandoori Restaurant.
Address: 84, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Kuala Lumpur, 52000, Malaysia, Tel: 03-2274-6801
Chicken Tikka Vindaloo, no mushroom rice available but the restaurant is full of locals which is always a good sign. Oh dear, this was
not a great meal, OK the plain boiled rice was passable, highlight of the meal.....the diet Coke.
Switzerland
Horgen.
This restaurant was stumbled over in the back streets behind the Golden Tulip hotel.
Unfortunately I cannot remember its name, when we returned on another visit it had closed down. Nothing we said I hope.
A nice meal and very efficiently served as you would expect. On this occasion Mr Thunderclap did not manage to get the yoghurt and mint sauce
that he loves so much. This sauce does seem to be rarity outside of blighty.
Zurich.
Taste of Paradise.
Address: Hohlstrasse 355, 8004 Zürich, Tel: +41 (0) 44 210 48 48
This restaurant is situated on the first floor of the Migros Shopping centre, in the centre of Zurich.
A nice curry, at lunctime when we visited, an Indian buffet selection was available, as well as the al la carte menu.
Kingfisher available but no Cobra.
Again no yoghurt sauce.
Taste of Paradise website.
Sweden
Boras.
Shiva Indisk Restaurant.
Address: Asbogatan 3, Boras 503 36, Sweden, Tel: 033-418415
This little restaurant, close to the bus terminal, was a real gem, the owner couldn't have been more welcoming and helpful.
Mr Thunderclap, got his yoghurt sauce here, the owner made it up specially, after a few minutes of our best Swenglish explanation.
Scored well on the FTUKI.
The owner also ran an Indian alternative medical service and claimed he was a qualified doctor, mmm.
Shiva Website.
USA
This is an exclusive, our first WCT report from the USA, thanks Mr Thunderclap. Toby narrowly missed one in Seattle, Washington, doh!
Sizler Indian Restaurant
Address: 7511 International Drive, Orlando, Florida, 32819-8236, United States,
Tel: (407) 345-4980
Not fantastic - Chicken Madras fair but Mushroom rice drew a blank so plain.
Rice was initially stingy and served on one plate for all, saving grace was it was replenished on demand.
Slow service but foodwise, held up when compared to the local fair.
A little pricey.