Last day of second term celebrations were in order, so we packed off the family for Ganesh opposite Blackburn station. Â We entered up a walkway and were greeted by friendly smiles, warm welcomes and immediately placed at our table at the front window. Â
Decision as to what to eat was made easy by the choice of two banquets at the front of the hefty menu. Â We selected the $40.00 per head menu for the five of us. Â The hostess did suggest that with two smaller kids we'd get away with ordering for four, but The Lovely Man was keen to ensure enough food so we stuck with five. Â We also ordered a mango lassi - handy in case anything was too spicy for our youngest. Â I had a taste, it was great, not too sweet, a barely-there saltiness, looked to have a mango syup drizzled on the outside of the milk-shake style glass. Â The kids could well settled for a lassi and be happy.
Almost immediately our starter arrived, some cumin studded pappadams (how many different ways can this word be spelt?) along with a mint chutney, which was clearly void of artificial colour as it was the softest green rather than the often vivid greens you can see. Â This chutney was delicious, one of the best versions we've tried, and the staff were more than happy to refill our cup (well actually they brought us a bigger bowl) when one of my kids suggested they liked it. Â The other side to the crisp wafers was a generous serve of raita, perfect for our youngest, who is less keen on hot spices.
Hot on the heals of the starter came very generously proportioned samosa, these had a lovely soft warm heat, and were not at all oily. Â A delicious plate of tandoori fish was next, very moist and well cooked this was well-flavoured, but not at all 'spicy' so our youngest was especially pleased with this. Â Next in line came the dish of the night for me; A sizzling plate of tandoori lamb cutlets, along with tandoori chicken. Â The chicken was nice, but the cutlets were fabulous, wonderful flavour, still pink within (I think I have only ever had them well-done elsewhere), they were very tender. Â The whole table probably loved those cutlets the most of all our food.
On to mains, served by our most earnest waiter in training, and a lovely friendly more experienced waitress, we got tons of food (right about here I think The Lovely Man was thinking he should have listened to our wise hostess). Â Butter chicken, lamb madras, prawn masala, vegetable korma. Â Along with all of that were copies pieces of crispy outside, soft inside naans of both the garlic and plain variety and some perfectly cooked basmati rice. Â We were still enjoying our raita and mint chutney with it all. Â The lamb madras was the hit of the mains, while butter chicken fell a little flat for me, it wasn't bad, but it surprised me by tasting like spicy tomato soup. Â The prawns were perfectly cooked medium-sized prawns in a spiced, but not too-spicy sauce. Â We'd not specified anything to be especially hot or not, and felt these dishes were perfect for your average diner. Â I am sure you could knock your socks off with a vindaloo here, but perhaps another night, when we're without the kids!
We were full yes, but the final dish, gulab jamum was on its way. Â I have to be honest, these single little golden balls were the best version of gulab jamun I have tasted. Â The ice-cream had a few ice crystals, but the dumplings had the best flavour I've tasted, often they're just sweet and haven't much flavour, but these were perfectly flavoured and scented. Â A lovely finish.
There were a few minor hiccups with service, but trivial only, the staff were friendly and the offers of more food (while we sat back tempted to undo buttons) showed their willingness to feed their customers well. Â Tea and coffee is also offered in the banquet, but, yeah, we over-ordered, so left it at that.
Edit: Â Menu featured above is take-away prices I believe.
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes