If you really want authentic Indian most chefs will tell you to get in a car and head west to Harris Park where the staff meal isn’t so different to what’s served front of house. So why is it that while street food from the rest of the world is begging for our attention the Indian equivalent is mysteriously hard to find?
The Coco Cola sign at The Cross is rarely a landmark we will ask you to follow to discover culinary excellence. After 25 years of culinary research leading kitchens across India’s best restaurants and exclusive hotels, Chef Mohammed Sali has relocated neighbourhood favourite Malabar to a new hot spot just skips from the razzle dazzle nightlife icon.
Designers, Matrix Digital dramatise walls with black and white murals and oversized photos of a lost subcontinental world whilst white table cloths and fine china bring a touch of royal maharaja dining.
It’s the food which creates headlines, delivering elegance with a balance of spices and a delicate hand with tandoori. It’s wellbeing through nature and respect. The mighty south Indian dosa has a whole page dedicated to its rice and lentil curves. Two perfectly stuffed specimens compete for attention as the Banglore podi hand-mashed potato is narrowly trumped by Kozhi paneer chicken bursting with black pepper and fennel aromatics. Mains of Chicken Makhani, Prawn Konkan in a creamy turmeric coconut sauce along with house made cottage cheese blended with slow cooked spinach and onions creates a superior Palak Paneer. Simply add a delicious cheese and spinach naan and you can see why there isn’t a spare seat in the house on a Monday night!
With BYO (yay!) and a thoughtful wine list touring from Tasmania’s awarded 42 Degrees South to Bollinger and over to Argentinian Malbec, there’s no papadam left uncovered but plenty of worthy discoveries to enjoy.
Malabar
274 Victoria Street,(Cnr Victoria + Craigend St), Darlinghurst 2010
Lunch Wed – Sun 12-2.30pm, Dinner Mon – Sun 5.30 until late
http://malabarcuisine.com.au
