Apr 24 2008
The Curry Bowl – Melbourne Restaurant
The restaurant:
Located in Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria Australia (almost on the corner or Lonsdale and Exhibition Streets)
Type of cuisine:
Light lunch or quick light meal
Suits either Student, office worker or even a theatre goer
The review:
The curry bowl caters to those with a love of fresh home style srilankan curry but do not have the time to wait, nor do they just want to settle for a sloppy plastic container of red tinged goop. This is a simple establishment that provide seating for about 14 patrons at a New York bench style counter, choices are simple there’s a Lamb, Beef and Chicken curry dish. They are accompanied with an assortment of vegetables including a standard Dahl (green lentil side) the accompanying vegetable dishes are changed daily (depending on what’s in season).
Curry Bowl also caters for the usual fried snacks such as vadais, fish peppers, and samousa. These are not really my typical fare but I must admit the quality of the fillings is good and the covers crispy.
Today I had the regular meal which is a good light lunch serve of curried meat on a bed of saffron rice, my choice of 2 vegetables sides and fresh made mango chutney, yoghurt or a chilly paste (for those who really like it hot).
I opted for the beef curry with the zucchini, potatoes and sweet potatoe veggie mix accompanied with cabbage and coconut. My sauces I went for 2 serves of the yoghurt and 1 serve of the mango chutney.
The beef was tender with a good level of heat (2 out of 5 chillies) the rice was cooked well, it was loose both still soft. Now comes the interesting part, the zucchini and potatoe side was good it has a great veggie flavour with a hint of spice, the cabbage however I think may require a couple of attempts as the texture of the cabbage and coconut was a bit strange, also the flavour was out of place with the rest of the meal. Perhaps the cabbage would be better suited to a chicken curry. The condiments where as usual great I like the cooling sweetness of the yoghurt and the mango chutney also cool and sweet goes well with all the curries.
Rating:
I would say that if you are looking to be seated by traditionally dressed waiting staff this is not for you, but if you are looking for a no-nonsense good value quick meal or light snack then you would be doing yourself a favour here. The food is clean and fresh, it still could easily be called traditional and by the range of clients mainly of Asian (India, srilankan etc) that you notice in the shop it must be pretty good.
Value:
My lunch was $7.50 and with a drink an additional $2. This is good value and to choose to sit in or take away you cannot go wrong. I give this 3 Munch Brothers out of 5
Great restaurant!