Tucked away quietly alongside the Pah Road and Manukau Road intersection, this cosy suburban eatery leads the way with classic authentic Indian fare that continues to draw in the crowds.
Auckland is fortunate to have a busy and buzzy Indian restaurant serving some of the city’s finest authentic cuisine. In a city where you can eat so well, nowhere else quite matches the flavours and influences with a menu that shows diversity and influences of a majestic India from the days of the British Raj.
And there is plenty of action on the extensive menu. It’s a cheap eat, the servings are generous and above all else the chefs have created an oasis of fare prepared in a tandoor oven that comes to the table blissfully fresh and adorned with herbs and spices. Diners come here to eat, not to drink.
The confidence is displayed by the kitchens repertoire that includes a range of must-try entrees of vegetable, tandoori and Indo-Chinese dishes. All are moderately priced ($6-21) and come with plenty of bite. Favourites include samosa, hara bhara kebab, paneer tikka, chicken pakora, and fish pakora.
The chefs also work their magic with proven mains ($15-22) of chicken, lamb, goat, seafood and vegetarian dishes. Butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh, lamb korma, lahora goat, fish vindaloo, and prawn saagwala are all there. And if you prefer biryani, the Hyderabadi vegetable and chicken dishes are at their best when served with rice or naan breads.
Sweet pleasures ($5) include gulab Jamun, deep fried milk dumplings, mango kulfi, flavoured mango pulp and rasmalai cheese, patties soaked in cardamom milk.
The moderately priced wine list, although limited, has a good selection by the bottle and by the glass offerings, complimented with an excellent range of local and imported beers.
And the verdict? Traditionalists will find all the tried-and-trusted on the menu as well as some adventurous dishes to round of a winning formula. The hospitality is cheery and efficient making a tangible and welcome contribution to its charm. And with the pace of dining being so leisurely and satisfying, it’s no wonder why the locals keep returning.
Menu: 8.5, Cuisine: 8.5, Wine List: 6, Service: 8.5, Décor: 8, Value for Money: 9
3/583 Manukau Road, Epsom
