LOCATIONOn the corner of Gore and Johnston Streets, easy walking distance from either Smith Street or Brunswick Street.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAThose mourning the loss of the popular Guru da Dhaba may be somewhat mollified by the new Indian restaurant that has sprung from its ashes. The “Guru” was a Fitzroy institution that closed after many years of trade and was followed by the short-lived Tandoori Station. This newest arrival is the sibling of the well-established and highly rated Carlton Curry House and looks set to offer Fitzroy locals the same quality of cuisine and service. The decor remains fairly unchanged from its predecessors, with simple tiled floors, a kitsch corner bar and ever-present Bollywood music videos on the television screen. Opt for a window seat not for the street views but for a glimpse into the kitchen, where the chefs wrangle flaming pots and pans as they prepare a wide variety of mild and spicy curries and dishes fresh from the charcoal-heated clay tandoor oven.
Staff are welcoming and eager to please, and the menu is accommodating with many vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available. Start with crispy onion
bhajias or a selection of tandoori specialties before sampling classic Indian curries such as beef vindaloo, Goan fish curry, chicken
makhani or lamb rogan josh. The North Indian style goat curry is a standout, with rich, tender meat cooked on the bone in ginger, garlic, tomato and spices. Naan and roti bread are on hand for essential mopping up operations and, to finish, cooling homemade kulfi ice-cream or gulab jamun – sweet milk dumplings in rosewater syrup – are a great way to end a meal. Prices are very reasonable for the generous portions offered and some great take-away deals also make this a great local option for lovers of good Indian food.
Angela Costanzo