Abhi's Fine Indian Cuisine163 Concord Rd
North Strathfield, Sydney
Upon arrival at Abhi’s for their 25th birthday, we were warmly welcomed to our table with a celebratory glass of champagne. How else do you start a birthday celebration? Cheers!
New to this restaurant, we could see that many of the diners around us were not. All of the restaurant’s 180 seats were filled with regular clientele and they were all there to celebrate this momentous occasion. We could see that patrons were not just patrons they were treated like part of family. There's no better way to celebrate your 25th birthday than having a three day celebration. Abhi's Indian Restaurant knows how to celebrate this milestone and in this volatile restaurant market, and we can see why they’ve been in business for 25 years.Abhi's 25th anniversary dinner birthday menu was a set menu that was specially created to celebrate the restaurant’s 25th birthday over three nights. At a glance, it’s obvious that the menu is not your typical Indian menu, which was so refreshing to see. It’s theme is based on “Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow” and our palettes were sent on a wild ride from entree, right through to dessert. The dishes on the menu were selected from Abhi’s very first a la carte menus, all the way to dishes that they want to serve in the future.
To start with, we had Mulligatawny Soup - a classic spiced lentil soup that was creamy and smooth, with a bit of a kick. The next dish was a Scallop and Kingfish Bhel, which was a play on the traditional ‘Bhel-Puri’. A delectable combination of creamy and crunchy textures that included puffed rice, wheat crisps, chilli, onion and a vadagam (rice cracker).
While we waited for our second course we were treated to the making of brown rice string hoppers by one of Abhi’s chefs at the live activation station. It was a nice treat and plates of freshly made string hoppers were quickly distributed to each table with a spicy accompaniment.
Our second course was Salmon Kothmiri Tikki, a melt in your mouth salmon roulade with green chutney, accompanied with spicy orange, tamarind and chickpea kozambhu. This dish was delightful and our taste buds enjoyed the burst of tamarind flavour that came with the delicious sauce.By this time, the restaurant was abuzz with chatter and laughter and an atmosphere befitting a genuine birthday celebration.
Our main course was a feast indeed that included seafood, poultry and meat. The experience included Tandoori Jumbo Prawns - tandoor cooked prawns that were marinated with yoghurt, garam masala, mace threads and saffron. The aromatic flavour of these prawns was simply amazing. Chooza Masala - spatchcock rubbed with a Goan spice mix and oven cooked with chat potatoes, malt vinegar and pearl onions. Lamb Kari Kozhambhu, a lamb curry, flavoured with ground coconut, cassia, fennel, turmeric and poppy seeds.
And lastly, we had a highly fragrant, very tasty and colourful spinach and yellow lentil dish, Keerai Pappu, with garlic, cumin and dried whole chillies. All of this was accompanied with a fragrant ghee rice.
We also had a good serving of some very yummy flatbread.
Lastly, we devoured a
delicious Raspberry Cream dessert. WOW! This lovely dish was a combination of compressed raspberries, goats’ milk sorbet, vanilla custard, yoghurt shards and saffron honeycomb. The honeycomb was the standout element on the plate, and the combination of these sweet flavours ended our dining experience on a total high.
On this momentous occasion, celebrating the milestone 25th anniversary of his much loved restaurant, chef and owner Kumar Mahadevan has used fundamental ingredients from the major food regions of India to create a menu that resulted in an unforgettable culinary experience. The combination of friendly and attentive staff and a superb menu was a great way to spend a night with a wonderful friend.We would certainly recommend this restaurant for any occasion, whether it be with family, friends or an intimate dinner for two. We would definitely go back, maybe for a birthday celebration!!!
Two Contessa's - with substitute Mr J - who are doing reviews for Sir and Mlady Dine Out, dined as guests of Abhi's. Big thanks also to Katie Stow of Wasamedia for arranging this visit.
