One down and 25 to go. Ms X began with an Afghan corker, so there was always going to be pressure on Mr X to come up with a BBBBBBeeeeautiful follow-up. So off to 199 Brunswick Road, Fitzroy, to the home of the Bangla Sweets and Curry Cafe for a tradional Bangladeshi banquet for three....yes, that's right...three. We were accompanied by Mr & Ms's X's gourmet-experienced daughter of 23 years to cast her expert eyes over our latest gastronomical choice.
Being probably Mr X's priority as far as starting the night off properly is concerned, parking accessibility turned out to be both good and bad. Initially good, as he managed to find a spot directly opposite the restaurant, so he had an unusually vibrant gait as he bounded across the road and entered the cafe. There we were met by a waitress who was big on smiles but short on English, but we did manage to find a table and peruse the extensive menu. Prices were very reasonable, water was brought to our table immediately and we knew the drought had broken as our glasses were constantly kept filled to the brim throughout the night (although both beer glasses were as flat as the naan bread).
We decided to order three entrees and three main courses to share. Entrees were Samosas (spiced potatoes and green peas in puff pastry), Vegetable Pakora (spinach, potato & onion fritters spiced and deep fried) and Barra Kabab (lamb cutlets marinated with spices and cooked in a clay oven). Everyone agreed that the entrees were delicious, especialy the cutlets. they were indeed a hit.
We decided to order three entrees and three main courses to share. Entrees were Samosas (spiced potatoes and green peas in puff pastry), Vegetable Pakora (spinach, potato & onion fritters spiced and deep fried) and Barra Kabab (lamb cutlets marinated with spices and cooked in a clay oven). Everyone agreed that the entrees were delicious, especialy the cutlets. they were indeed a hit.
Main courses consisted of Chicken Tikka Masala (chicken tikka cooked in a special sauce with onion and capsicum). Gosht Shahi Korma (tender pieces of lamb cooked in cashew nuts and mixed spices) & Beef Madras (tender pieces of beef cooked in South Indian style, flavoured with coconut and curry leaf). Again, the main courses were delicious but very filling, especially as we balanced them with special fried rice ccoked with green peas and two serves of garlic Naan bread. In fact, there was so much food we had to order doggie bags for each main.
The modestly furnished restaurant indeed served up a sumptuous variety of dishes, however it was when Ms X ventured to the toilet (nearly taking a wrong turn and potentially sharing a dodgy vindaloo with the head chef), that the evening took a dramatic twist, especially with the parking ambience. Gazing inadvertently out the window, he noticed two young girls inspecting his car over the road, who subsequently produced a camera which then generated a parking ticket! Rushing out, he asked them what they were doing and was abruptly told to re-read the sign. And yes, he was parked illegally but was most annoyed at the highly ambiguous, confusing and deviously worded sign that was simply put there by a greedy council to fool motorists and generate revenue. He kept muttering that the $61 fine could have paid for a cab for the night! A disappointing end to an otherwise very enjoyable night.
SCORES: Ambience He 5 She 4
Service He 8 She 8Accessibility He 3 She 5
Value for Money He 8 She 8
Food He 8 She 8
TOTAL SCORE: 65
Food He 8 She 8
TOTAL SCORE: 65
If only the Bangladeshi's could play cricket as well as they can cook!
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| Now what does that sign mean to you? |
The gourmet-experienced daughter thinks an extra point should be added for ambience, thanks to her entertaining conversation. In agreeance about those cutlets though, reckon I could snag a recipe?
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