What is it about Indian food that has us craving more? Curries, succulent tandoor-cooked meat and hearty stews make up the staple of a cuisine that has taken the world by storm since immigrants left the homeland to explore new lands.
As Indians all around Australia and the globe prepare to celebrate Independence Day on Thursday, August 15 let’s take a close-up look at three Chef-hatted venues that never disappoint when it comes to cuisine from the Sub-continent:
Pleasing the Eye and Palate
Changing the perception, head to Atta Restaurant on Victoria Avenue in Albert Park for food to stimulate the senses. This Melbourne restaurant offers classic dishes from all corners of India with a modern twist in stylish surrounds of white beamed ceilings, archways and blond wood tables.
The Chefs at Atta believe from preparation to presentation, food should not only please the palate but also the eye; think entrées like tempura prawns, garlic lemon and beetroot aioli, pumpkin purée, kasundi, puffed rice and lemon gel, before mains such as machi tikka masala – fried barramundi fillets, sautéed capsicum and onion, yellow chilli and tomato gravy – best enjoyed with steamed rice, garlic naan and papadums.
Cool, Edgy Ambience
Representing the intersection of old and new, traditional and modern, Eastern and Western, ISH Restaurant is an Indian-inspired drinking and dining experience nestled on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy. A cool, edgy ambience of exposed brick, copper accents, monochromatic artwork and intimate table settings conveys a sleek and dynamic Melbourne aesthetic, designed over two levels with bespoke fittings and furnishings from India.
From a menu boasting familiar and surprising flavours, start with cured kingfish, burnt eggplant, lime, rendered chicken fat, mint chiffonade and prawn crackers; for the main, think choices like Kerala slow-cooked beef, housemade spice mix, curry leaves and fennel, or ISH butter chicken with Punjabi spiced butter, Roma tomato and cashew gravy and fenugreek dust.
Smart, Casual Indian Dining
For authentic Indian cuisine in Terrey Hills, take to award-winning Urban Tadka on Mona Vale Road. Enveloping diners in warm tones of red and black and submerged ambient mood lighting, this relaxed restaurant sets the tone for smart casual dining.
Specialising in North Indian, tandoori and Mughlai fare, Urban Tadka’s vast menu may include entrées such as vada doi – spiced fritters, hand-beaten curd, mint and coriander chutney, chilli confit and dusted burnt cumin – then delve into goat cooked on the bone with ginger, garlic, onion, spices and sides of basmati rice, tandoori wholemeal roti and spiced seasonal vegetables.
