INDO LANKA FUSION
Opening Times:
Mon - Fri 5:00pm to 11:00pm
Sat & Sun Noon to 11:00pm
"Sri Lanka - another variable enters the equation"
Date of Visit: Saturday 26/07/14
Vegetable Samosa (2 pieces) £2.25 (£1.95)
Channa Masala (main) £4.25 (£3.50)
Chettinad Chicken Curry (main) £6.25 (£4.95)
Chapathi £1.00 (£1.00)
Poori £1.75 (not listed on the website menu)
The prices in brackets are from what is obviously an older menu on the restaurants website. It would help everyone if restaurants kept their websites up to date with menus / prices.
A small 20 seater restaurant. We were the only diners when we arrived some time after 3pm on a very hot and humid Saturday afternoon. We remained the only diners during the course of our meal. Maybe there is no demand for a lunch time / mid afternoon curry in Sheffield. I find this a disappointment in a city of such size.
We shared the Vegetable Samosa starter, one piece each. There was no salad accompaniment; though it came with a nicely spiced chilli type sauce and a mild coconut based sauce. The Samosa was ok, neither a disaster or sublime. A straight bat opening.
The waiter and chef, were pleasant and helpful. Chef popping out from the open-ish kitchen to explain the ingredients of his piquant chilli sauce. The size of the order wasn't "challenged"; there was no attempt made to sell us additional items. Often, we have to fend off questions querying a lack of poppadoms, rice and even on occasions, a side dish. No fuss, no hassle here!
Wikipedia say of the Chettinad area of India - "The word "Chettinad" means a social caste specialising in the preparation of food. Consequently, the Chettinads are considered master chefs, and Chettinad cuisine is one of the spiciest and the most aromatic in India."
Therefore, it was a no-brainer to select the Chettinad Chicken Curry as one of our dishes. My friend and I shared the Chettinad Chicken along with a Chana Masala; which we ate with a Chapathi and a Poori each.
Both main dishes were very good. If I was scoring them individually, then they'd both probably rate at least an 8 out of 10.
The Chapathi and Poori were made fresh by chef, and were both of good quality.
On the menu, the Poori is described as - "deep fried Indian bread prepared using unleavened bread." It was the first time that I had tasted Poori. I liked it, but I don't think it's something I would order frequently.
The cuisine at this restaurant is from the Tamil Nadu region of India and the country of Sri Lanka. As a result, the menu is very different to your typical South Yorkshire Indian restaurant.
For example, there are no Naan Breads or Rotis. No Rogan Josh, Dupiaza, Madras, Vindaloo or Bhuna's etc.
For me, the cuisine is less anglicised - more authentic.
I'd definitely recommend this restaurant to one and all. It's different - but not in a bad way!
Awarded November 2014