The crack is that we are all trying to emulate possibly our local BIR and takeaways and I have found that using pure mustard oil in the base recipe gets me closer to what "I" (personally) am trying to achieve; quite obviously each BIR & takeaway around the country the standards will invariably vary.
I can only comment on my local balti house from the late 80's and it was awsome; but I personally feel that I have surpassed them, the main reason for this fact is that the original man is still involed but, however, he is getting on in years shall we say and possibly his children has taken over the place, and they want to make a quick buck and have let standards slip; hence the BWM & Mercs they are driving around in at our expense.
I think a good place for you to start is with the authentic recipe selection and incorporate some of the ingredients into many of the base recipes on this site, by that I mean adding maybe cinnamon, fresh chilli's & bay leaves to your curries and maybe the variation will be quite suprising to you; I personally have yet to try Darths base recipe and the only reason for this is that I have found ifindforu's base to be what I am personally looking for; but I will give Daths base a go the next time I make a base sauce and I will post my results.
It is, however, good of you to post your comments and not just look at the forum and not contribute any comments, how else are we going to learn anything; carry on cooking and ask questions, that is what makes this site "GREAT".
Maybe you are the one that will answer that darkest secret one day.
"Curry on dude"
Regards
EHC