Giddy Tigers

Okay, we’re really on a roll here. Last weekend, my hubby and I were craving for Indian food again, the Northern Indian fare this time. Maybe it’s because Deepavali is coming. Anyway, we had wanted to dine at Palace d’India in Queensbay Mall on Saturday night, but we walked out of the restaurant after about five minutes in there. You know Why? We had to show ourselves to the table and then we waited and waited for at least five minutes but no one came to give us the menu or even to bring Ethan a baby chair. The restaurant wasn’t even half full! So we left the place and had a splendid dinner at Friday’s instead.

So Sunday came and we were both still craving for Northern Indian cuisine. So I suggested we go to Tandoori House in Hutton Lane for lunch. It had been years since we both stepped foot in the restaurant and it was so good to return to something familiar. The decor was very simplistic and had not changed much from what I remembered. Even the plates remained the same. We also recognized our waiter immediately, from our previous visits.

We were first served a delicious appetizer of pappadums with an array of three different dips: mint sauce, chilli sauce, and a concoction of chopped onions, carrots and lime juice (I think). Very pleasing to the eye, and tastes as good as it looks too.

The appetizer certainly was a sign of good things to come. Everything we ordered tasted wonderful. The Kashmiri Naan was packed full with raisins, cherries and spices and was done to absolute perfection. Just the right fluffiness, the sweetness of the naan blended so well with the gravy from the Butter Chicken. Of course the tender pieces of chicken meat from the Butter Chicken was also the perfect compliment to the Kashmiri Pulao, an equally colorful sight to behold. Kashmiri Pulao is made from basmathi rice, raisins, cherries and fragrant spices like cardamoms, cinnamon, cumin seeds and bay leaves. Our vegetable dish was the delectable Bindi Masala (Ladies’ fingers cooked masala-style). I had wanted to order the Palak Paneer (cottage cheese with spinach) but that was not available then, so we decided on the ladies’ fingers instead. And I was not sorry at all. Lastly, my hubby says that since we are in Tandoori House, we HAVE to order the Tandoori Chicken…which turned out so tender and juicy. Our meal was completed with a tall glass of mango lassi.  Each.

And our cravings were definitely satisfied. 😀

Last month, I enrolled to become a member of the E&O Heritage Club. As a member, I would be entitled to dine at the E&O whilst enjoying spectacular discounts. As part of the enrollment process, the consultant asked me a few questions about my likes and dislikes, particularly with regards to food. She was rather surprised when I told her that my hubby and I love Indian food. My hubby has tasted authentic Indian food in India when he was travelling on business, but I have had no such opportunity yet. So the closest I get to Indian food is at Indian restaurants here in Malaysia. In fact, we love Indian food so much that we take it at least once a week.

For Southern Indian cuisine, our favorite restaurant is Innira’s at Brown Garden. This restaurant has since been renamed Passions of Kerala. New name, but the food remains just as fantastic. Recently, Passions of Kerala expanded its business and opened a new additional outlet at the New World F&B hub in Swatow Lane. To be completely honest, every time we go to the New World F&B hub, we prefer to eat the hawker food there. I tell you, the wan ton mee, curry mee, ice kacang and chendol are truly to die for! But two Friday evenings ago, for a change, we decided to check out the classy looking Passions of Kerala instead. I was curious to find out how it differs from its original branch at Brown Garden. Plus, Ethan has his fan club there too 😀

My first perception of the place was that the decor was very tasteful indeed. With dark brown sturdy wooden chairs and subtle amber lighting, the restaurant exuded a sense of peace and relaxation. It was fully air-conditioned, which was a welcome in our hot weather and it really helped because the place served primarily curry. In addition, there were also a couple of tables outside the restaurant to allow al fresco dining, if the patron so requires.

We ordered our usual vegetarian set meals: steamed rice served on banana leaves with three or four side dishes. And of course, we also had our favorite fried fish. This was garnished with slices of lime that made it all the more pleasing to the eye. We were also given generous helpings of pappadums to tantalize our palate. I was delighted that they also provided a trio of gravy in three separate bowls: fish curry, chicken curry and dhall. This allowed us to mix and match as we pleased.

As expected, the food was done to perfection. The fish, especially, deserves special mention as it was truly crispy and well done. The price of the food at this outlet was slightly more expensive than at the Brown Garden outlet, but it is well worth it. And yes, this is an awesome restaurant to bring guests who are game for a good meal of Indian food. Hey, Passions of Kerala didn’t call itself “The Best in Banana Leaf Cuisine” for nothing, you know!