Punjab Indian Restaurant

LOCATION
Just a few minutes’ stroll from the Innaloo Greater Union Cinema complex.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Established in 1981 by a family from the Punjab region of India, Punjab restaurant is as popular as ever. Although the somewhat gaudy, yet iconic, external facade remains the same, the interior has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment and now sports characteristics of a fine dining venue. Crisp white tablecloths, mood lighting and polished silverware are a far cry from the rickety tables that once balanced your vindaloo and rogan josh. And let’s not forget the traditional Indian music with the unmistakable sound of the sitar. What would an Indian restaurant be without it? In addition to its impressive list of accolades over its 27 years of business, Punjab’s most recent achievement is the 2008 Gold Plate award for Best Indian restaurant. So what’s so good about this place, you ask?

Well, after forgiving them for taking my favourite dhal makhani off the new menu, I thought it was time to try the alternative, the dhal Punjabi. I usually shy away from this dish as I find it rarely does anything for me. Truth be told, this was the best dhal of this style I have ever eaten! Not too thick, not too watery – the consistency was the perfect accompaniment for garlic naan, prepared on the premises and cooked in the Punjab tandoor oven. Other dishes to impress are the palak aloo (spiced spinach and potatoes), butter chicken made with Mount Barker free-range chicken and the mixed vegetable curry. But the award, in my opinion, must go to the beef vindaloo. A generous serve of tender meat smothered in the most delicious, spicy, thick vindaloo gravy had me wondering where it all went as I sopped up the last of it with my naan bread. Punjab’s menu states, “The taste worth travelling for” – and I couldn’t agree more.

Karen Bilsby