Our meal out at Karma

Posted Sunday, December 10, 2006

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Instant Karma

I went to Karma Indian Restaurant in the Malin Road, Moville with my two children Rhea McLaughlin (13) and Robbie McLaughlin (8).

It's not the first time we have been there. In fact it is probably the restaurant that comes up most when I ask my wife and children where they would like to go.

Wrong

When it was first opened lots of people said that it wouldn't be a success. The most typical comment I heard was "I'd go and eat there myself but I can't see a lot of Moville people going there".

How wrong they were.

The restaurant has been a big success. I remember meeting owner Jackie Holmes in Rawdons's just after he had shut for the night saying that he they had done 134 takeaways alone that night - and that was on a Tuesday.

And the reason is - it's very good.

I've been to Indian restaurants in London, the USA, France and Holland and I would say that Karma was good as any anywhere.

I Love a Lassi, a Bonny, Bonny Lassi

A little tip here.

Ask for a lassi to drink. I'm not sure of the spelling as I've never seen it written down.

It's probably lhasi or lhassi or maybe something completely different - but it's pronounced exactly the same as the four legged Hollywood hero (to my ear anyway) or the ones in the Scottish songs, e.g. Roaming in the Gloaming with a lassie by your side.

It is a yoghurt based drink which they drink by the pint in India I'm told.

It's not on the menu but they will do it for you if you ask.

There's three types, Sweet lassi, sour (or salt) lassi and mango lassi. My son Robbie and I always go for the mango lassi and that is what I would recommend.

Order it first though as they take a little while to make.

My First Lassi

The first time I heard about it was when a Jewish guy I worked with in London, Dave Goodman, told me about it.

I was going out for lunch with another friend and colleague at an Indian restaurant. Dave told us "make sure that you ask for lassis" and explained what it was.

So we did just that.

Two Lassies Please

"Can we have two lassis" we asked the waiter.

"What?", he said looking very confused.

I was starting to think that Dave had 'done' us and that the Indian waiter thought that we thought it was a different type of establishment and that we were asking him to provide two lassies for us.

Try Again

With a little trepidation I asked again "Can we have two lassis?"

He looked puzzled again and I was starting to think that Dave must be telling people at work how he had done us and that we were down the Indian restaurant asking for a couple of lassies.

"To drink" I said with decreasing conviction.

"Ah! Lassis" he said pronouncing it just very slightly different from me.

And that was the first time I tried them.

I have them just about every time I go to Indian restaurants now.

Starters

You get a free plain popodum per person as a starter in the Karma. I got three spicy popodums which I had to pay for (but not too much) and let my two children share the three non spicy ones.

One of the good things about Indian restaurants is that the meals don't generally come on your plate. Each person gets a plate and then the dishes are brought out and placed on the centre of the table.

That means that it is a lot easier to order one meal between your two children.

It is more difficult in other restaurants to order one meal for your two children and then ask for them to put it on two separate plates.

Main Course

They had the Chicken Tikka Masala between them. As afficionados of Indian restaurants know this is not an 'Indian' dish at all but was created by Indians in Britain to cater for the fact that British people like to have a sauce with their meat.

It is now, by far, the most popular meal in Britain replacing Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding.

When a new Indian restaurant opened when I lived in Rhode Island, USA I asked for Chicken Tikka Masala and none of the waiters or chef had ever heard of it.

I went back a couple of years later and it was on the menu.

Mother of God

I had the Chicken Tikka Chilli Masala which my children call the "Holy Mother of God" as that's what I tend to say when I'm eating it.

My daughter Rhea doesn't understand why I keep ordering it when it appears to be inflicting so much pain.

I explained that endorphins get released after you have had it which makes you 'remember' that you had actually enjoyed it and that human beings don't have the capacity to remember pain.

This convinces her not at all. She thinks I must be an idiot.

I think they must have toned it down a bit recently as I the last two times I've had it I've been reasonably comfortable.

Next Level

Perhaps I've now got used to it and need to go onto something stronger now in the way that alcoholics and drug addicts need to take something stronger to get their kicks.

I wonder if there is a clinic somewhere for people who need a stronger and stronger fix of Indian food. Indeed, if there such a place I know a few people who should be in it.

When eating Indian food, it's always best to have Indian beer and I would recommend the Tiger beer.

We all enjoyed the meal immensely - as we always do.

Dessert

They have a good selection of desserts and my son Robbie is a big fan. He had Tarta Fantastica. It's his favourite.

He couldn't finish it though.

Our waiter asked him if he was finished.

"His eyes are too big for his belly" I said to the waiter as parents often do.

Looking at the waiter Robbie said "My dad's belly is to big for his eyes".

To me that doesn't make sense and it is not as amusing but for some reason it seemed to trump mine.

The Cost

The meal came to €58 and change. That's about £39 in sterling terms for a meal for three with drinks so that's quite reasonable.

The service, again, was very good. It normally is in Indian restaurants.

I would definitely recommend Karma to those living in Moville or thinking of coming.

You won't be disappointed.