Normality has gone out of the window for everybody and that includes baltigoers who hanker after the real deal served up sizzling at their table. However, it is still possible to get a curry fix of sorts as many restaurants are keeping open for takeaways.

So in pursuit of my chilli fix , I phoned my local curryhouse. It took me 15 minutes to get through but in fairness it was a Friday night. My options were to collect (1 hour wait) or to have delivered (2 hour wait). I opted for the former and ordered accordingly.

On turning up, there was a dining table outside on the pavement and the waiter came out masked up with rubber gloves and placed the curries and card machine in a neutral place. We then both did a dance around the table to complete the transaction. In fairness, although it was a bit like a scene from the film Ebola, I was very impressed with their precautions. Probably, a bit more impressed than I was of our curries (Rogan Josh and Dhansak) which were decent enough but certainly didn’t make the earth move in a culinary sense.

Still, as my wife is sick of me saying, ‘You can’t beat a balti!’

Top foodie writer, Tom Parker-Bowles wrote about his recent visit to Brum to sample some of its finest, in this Sunday’s Daily Mail. It was heartening to see that  a man of his many tastes could equally enjoy both the ‘humble’ Balti and also top notch dining at the Michelin acclaimed Opheems in the City’s Jewellery Quarter. 

Phrases such as ‘blistered and buttery naans … a brace of sweetly succulent sheekh kebabs … a magnificent lamb and spinach balti’ sit comfortably alongside ‘spices that flatter and cosset the crustacean (soft shell crab) coaxing out its innate sweetness … a lusciously lavish rich sauce … succulent chicken beneath a charred crust … depth and balance with a slow languorous chilli burn’. 

He finishes with the conclusion  ‘two modern bites of the sub-continent, miles apart in price and presentation but both united in their power to deliver!’ Amen to Birmingham’s excellent ‘curry’ scene!’

In my continuing search for the authentic Birmingham Balti, I found that there are at least six ‘Indian’ restaurants in Moseley and Kings Heath with Balti on the menu. However, the Poplar (in Poplar Road) is the only one I’ve found to date of those that do a proper one. Great prices, homely and unlicensed with some unique dishes including Crispy Aubergine and Gobi Pakora. My Balti Shahi Chicken (chicken chunks and mince in a spicy sauce) served up in a sizzling bowl with an unusual Garlic and Cheese Nan was excellent. With a warm welcome, this was a throwback in the nicest sense to the ‘good old days’ fondly remembered by baltiholics. Perhaps this shouldn’t be surprising as I found out the owner is connected to the once much loved but now closed Kushi on the Moseley Road.