Curry Club: November 2019
We celebrated our final Curry Club meeting of the year with a blast! With the help of our secretary, we managed to secure an early booking (and a brilliant deal) on a busy Friday evening to enjoy fine Indian dining at the Mint Room.
The evening started off early, before the crowds gathered. We were seated for 6.00pm for the Tour of India tasting menu which was by prior arrangement. The meal began with a vast, spectacular array of starters – Indian Street Chat. This consisted of stuffed crispy pastry balls, served with mint sauce and tamarind water, crunchy puffed rice and deconstructed punjabi samosa.
The second course was the eagerly anticipated melt-in-your-mouth Rajasthani Lamb Chops, which was cooked to perfection in a clay oven and served with Shami Kebab (spiced sweet potato patties).
Next up was the Keralan Seabass Moilee, a beautiful pan-fried seabass served on a bed of creamy coconut-milk based sauce, tempered with mustard seeds and whole red chillies, topped with a beetroot gradvalax.
A palate cleanser, a scoop of luscious mango sorbet ensured that we were ready for the upcoming main courses.
The Beef Chettinad which was beautifully slow-cooked to perfection, marinated with just the right amount of spices and served on a coulis of coconut-based curry and a well seasoned Indian-inspired mash.
The Delhi Old Style Butter Chicken was just as mouth-watering – a tandoori chicken tikka simmered in a tangy tomato and fenugreek sauce, with butter, cream and a dash of honey.
The main course was served with very generous helpings of saffron rice, Indian breads and vegetable accompaniments.
The meal ended with Gulab jamun, a milk-solid based sweet, chocolate mousse and a choice of ice cream.
Afterwards, we adjourned to the rooftop bar for a drink. A few pints of Kingfisher or a bottle of Piper Heidsieck was had under the patio heaters, and the clear night sky.
The tasting menu at the Mint Room was certainly a treat for all who attended. The WM was very pleased and grateful for the support of many friends and members who joined in, on this informal social event for the lodge, including the PGM.
The WM would like to thank all members and friends who have, throughout the year, participated and supported the Curry Club events. It has been an excellent way of building rapport and extending friendships both within the lodge and as a means of welcoming and getting to know new friends informally.
