AIR All India Restaurant, Balmain, Sydney restaurant

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
All India is an inviting restaurant that strives to offer something more than the average Indian eatery. Its glass-fronted exterior gives it an element of space, and inside the attractive dining room is warm and comfortable, decorated with intricate woven wall hangings, cushioned banquettes and well-dressed, candlelit tables.

The food draws from all corners of the sub-continent, then stretches as far as Arabia, so you can order traditional favourites or strike out on a more unusual journey across the menu. Perhaps begin with the crab puttu (crab with mustard seeds, ginger and herbs) served with grilled scallops, or shammi kebabs of shredded, peppered lamb coated with breadcrumbs and served with tamarind chutney. Choosing from the large selection of mains could take some additional thinking time. There¡¦s cochin beef curry from the wedding banquets of Kerala, made with roasted potatoes, peas, julienne of smoked coconut and tempered with milled spices. Then there¡¦s rustic-style goat masala, or Bengali-style barramundi fillets with fenugreek, mustard, aniseed, nigella and cracked mustard seeds. Mop up curries with delicious tandoor breads and don¡¦t be shy about requesting your desired level of spice. In addition to a reasonably priced wine list, there¡¦s a good selection of premium beers, including the excellent Kingfisher lager from India.

LOCATION
Balmain is an inner city suburb of Sydney only 10-15 minute drive from the CBD, across the Anzac Bridge.

DETAILS
From the outside, AIR India Restaurant looks like a modern oasis. From the street you can see through the floor to ceiling glass folding doors all the way to the beautiful carpets that hang on the back walls. On the inside, however, everything is soft and warm. Think earthy tones of mustards and browns. Soft brown, cushioned couches line the side wall, where diners feast on modern Indian food under a gorgeous old-world rug that adds to the charm. The rest of the restaurant consists of wood chairs and tables laid with crisp white linen, and candles provide natural lighting and a peaceful, dusky atmosphere. There is outside dining available at the front of the restaurant for those who want to enjoy Sydney’s balmy summer nights. The bar in the middle of the room offers a wide selection of premium wines at inexpensive prices, and let us not forget the food that hails from the open kitchen where you can catch a peek at the master who is preparing the feast that awaits you.

FOOD & BEVERAGE
You will be spoiled for choice with the variety of dishes available on the menu. There is a wide selection of dishes offered for each meat including beef, lamb, goat, chicken, duck and seafood. And the chicken rogani is particularly recommended, with Chicken fillets sautéed with fresh garlic, mint, pepper, finished with a smooth tamarind & mint sauce. Never fear if you’re not a big fan of very spicy Indian food. At AIR the food is medium hot and mildly spiced, just ask if you need to hotten it up a bit.

FUNCTIONS
Consider AIR when you are planning your next function. Parties and functions for up to 125 guests are catered for with menus to suit any budget from $25 or host your next dinner party on the balcony for up to 35 guests.

BANQUETS
Three different Banquet menu’s are available for a minimum of three people with a choice according to how much you would like to spend from $26.90 to $34.30

Indian Fine Dining at affordable prices.

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