Maya da Dhaba

Friday, bumming around the lab, when Running Buddy comes up with a dangerously good idea; skip the run, hit up a bar and restaurant instead. Oh Running Buddy, you delightful cad you!

Given Running Buddy’s expertise in Indian cuisine, I leave the choice of eatery in his hands. Maya da dhaba on Cleveland street it is. Leggy Blonde joins us (I mean seriously, how was it that you were blessed with those things? Freaking jealous). After whetting our whistles with a cider at Bar Cleveland, where we were offered free canapés (happy hour has canapés people, get on it!) we meander down to the restaurant.

The restaurant is a converted Victorian townhouse and many of the original features, including the fireplaces, awnings and a decorated plaster ceiling, have been kept. White table cloths and warm colours make the restaurant feel intimate, but not over-the-top-wow-you-are-in-India-now. Waiters are in crisp white shirts and we are quickly seated at a nice table near the window. Given we are early the restaurant is quiet, with a few other families dining. After 8 pm though this restaurant kicks off big time with the noise level taking a similar upswing to rambunctious (oh la la).

Entrée:

Kaju Kebab. Seasoned pureed potato, mixed with paneer (cottage cheese to the uninitiated), coated with crushed cashew nuts and served crisp.

We tried to order three of these (the menu doesn’t specify how many per portion), upon which we were snootily informed by what I assume is the maitre’d that there are four pieces per portion. We are fine with that. Clearly he thought it was going to be an issue. Yeah. Weird.

These little nuggets are tasty, like a cheesy potato nugget, but the generous cashew crust slightly overpowers anything else going on in there. Shame.

Mains:

Punjabi Baingan. Baby eggplant pan fried and cooked with onions, tomato and chillies, then finished with coriander.

Nazuk Kofta. Croquettes of cottage cheese, potato, cashew nuts and spices, simmered in a sauce of crushed tomatoes, almond meal and cream sauce.

Paneer Ka Salan. Strips of paneer sautéed with capsicum, onions, spices and finished with fresh tomato and coriander.

Rice and naan.

Our waitress takes our order without a docket book, which is great for eye contact if you can remember the order. She can’t. We don’t get our Nazuk Kofta, instead we get, ummmm something? It is a paneer dish with beans in it. It is tasty. Same goes for the Paneer Ka Salan. However the real standout is the Punjabi Baingan. The potatoes are mega tasty and covered in mooshy eggplant. Tasty!

Everything is pretty quickly devoured. Helped along by Kingfisher beer. Then it is out into the night for, well I’m a bit boring, so sleep.  

http://www.mayadhaba.com.au/