An authentic taste of India right in the heart of Greensborough? Sounds ridiculous, but the food served at this unassuming restaurant transports diners straight into the flavours of the subcontinent.
Café Spice is an Indian restaurant established by Sanjeev Chauhan in 1998. Founder, owner and chef, he has juggled all aspects and has cemented his establishment as a local hotspot.
While at first glance the restaurant seems bare, with simple decorations and décor, this uncertainty is displaced once the 60-seat restaurant is filled.
The atmosphere of Café Spice appears to mirror that of Sanjeev. When it’s jam-packed and lively, he’s thriving off it. Whether he be delivering meals to tables personally with a grin plastered on his face, or whether it just be exchanging booming laughs with customers, it is often he who lifts the dynamic of the restaurant.
Just after 8:00 is when Café Spice is at its busiest, so any time before that, you’ll be more inclined to miss his joviality, and perhaps tend to notice the sparseness of the interior.
But the food presented, irrespective of time, is a testament to the cooking abilities of Sanjeev and his head chef.
It’s important to note that I am by no means adventurous when it comes to trying spicy food. I’m that person who orders “lemon and herb” on their Nando’s burger, while everyone else looks on in shame. So it was odd that I was heading out for a meal from an Indian restaurant – a cuisine notorious for their heat and spice.
Yet the restaurant caters for all taste buds, no matter their spice threshold. The young, yet knowledgeable waiters were able to recommend entrées and mains fit for my palette, and delivered in terms of efficient service.
Although initially hesitant in ordering the Murgh Malai Tikka for entrée, it was a pleasant surprise when the dish didn’t sear the inside of my mouth.
It was only 15 minutes before the entrée arrived, and with only two chefs and a restaurant at full capacity, it’s proof of the skill, speed and culinary knowledge the duo possess.
Even before the entrée came to the table, the aroma of tandoori spices had filled the restaurant. The crackle of onions on the sizzle plate made me turn my head, and as it was placed on the table, you could see how the cayenne pepper and masala had painted the chicken an explosive orange.
“Make sure you get those onions, they’re the best part,” the young waiter, Sangram, said.
And was he right. Even though the chicken was cooked to absolute perfection, those onions were the pinnacle of the dish. As the chicken was devoured, the onions continued to cook on the sizzle plate, developing a crispy char which created a perfect harmony for the dish.
At $12 for four pieces of sizeable chicken, the dish is best split between two people. For that price, it’s pretty good value for money.
While the main wasn’t as theatrical as the entrée, the vibrancy was nonetheless equal.
The sheer colour of the Murgh Makhani was bold, as were the flavours crammed into the dish. A classic Indian staple, the Murgh Makhani – or butter chicken – is slightly sweeter than other versions of the dish due to the inclusion of more pine nuts, yet nonetheless a pleasure to eat.
Although it may appear the amount of chicken is lacking in the main course, when coupled with rice and garlic naan (ordered separately) to mop up all the sauce, it makes for a complete and balanced dish. You’re certainly not left hungry by any means, but at $24.50 total, it’s slightly more than you’d expect to pay.
Dessert – while not ordered on the night – is limited to three dishes. All at $5, those prices definitely can’t be argued with.
A friendly farewell on the way out of the restaurant from the staff, finished the night on what can only be considered as a high.
If you’re looking to impress with a full dining experience, Café Spice is not quite there in terms of an intimate setting. Although cliché, appearances can be deceiving. For a comfortable eat and exciting flavours, Café Spice certainly is the place to be.
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