October2013savvy by Northern Advocate

food

SAVVY

by PHILIPPA ROSS

AVING LIVED in England where there is an Indian takeaway on every street corner, I was bereft of a good middle eastern fix when I settled in Waipu. But, as they say, all good things come to those that wait. Not only does Waipu now have its very own Indian Restaurant in the heart of the village, but the food is out of this world and unlike any other Indian I’ve ever tasted. Madly Indian is everything it says it is — ‘Very Indian and very authentic’. Owner Sonu Sharma glows with pride when he talks about the quality of the food he provides. He wholeheartedly trusts the culinary expertise of his chefs, telling them he’ll provide whatever they need in order to create an array of traditional dishes; top quality ingredients, charcoal clay ovens and the time to apply the very exact science of making the sauces and marinating the meat overnight. Sonu is a man who believes food gives people the opportunity to come together, so when he discovered vacant premises at the Wood Street shopping precinct at Mangawhai Heads in the heart of the village, he decided to sell up Madly Indian in Kerikeri and move south. Supported by internationally renowned Indian chef Khushi Ram and Tandoor chef (traditional clay oven), Hauminder Singh, he opened the Mangawhai restaurant in August 2012, where he built a reputation that substantiated the ‘Very Indian — Very Authentic’ tag line that promises a perfect magical blend of the right spices in the right quantity. Although he was only looking for take away premises in Waipu, Sonu couldn’t resist taking on the challenge to open a restaurant at the old Artform premises. With a few adjustments to the interior of the building and the support of the exquisite culinary skills of curry chef Dhan Singh and Tandoor chef K P Rawat, he opened the doors in mid June 2013. I have enjoyed their fayre on a number of occasions. Firstly dining out with my partner when it first opened, then with a group of 14 others when we took the banquet option for $36 a

madly in love with

WAIPU’S INDIAN Head chef Dhan Singh Rana, front, and chef Kunwar Rawat, above; and right the Madly Indian restaurant. Below: Sonu Sharma, Rajindah Singh, Dhan Singh, Sarwan Kumar and Kunwar Rawat.

head, which allowed us to experience an array of entrees, four main curry dishes, dessert and a sumptuous variety of naan breads — the Peshwari (dried fruit and cherries ) is to die for. I treated two out of town girlfriends to dinner on a cold, wet and windy Wednesday night

last week. My guests proved to be the ultimate critiques since one was not overly fond of Indian because she’d had a bad food poisoning experience in the past and the other was feeling under the weather having had extensive dental work a few weeks earlier.

We were treated with the ultimate service by Manager Rajindah Singh who didn’t blink an eye when my friend asked if her food could be mixed to a pulp with the handy blender she just so happened to have in her handbag! He reassured her that the chef would finely chop her

meal. We were served with complimentary poppadoms with mango chutney to eat while we were deciding what to order. As none of us had a big appetite, we went straight to the main course. We had a choice of chicken, lamb, beef, goat and seafood meat bases and a large selection of scrummy sauces. They also offered an extensive vegetarian menu and the reassurance that all meals were gluten free. We ordered Mango chicken, Prawn Masala — a tomato and onion sauce and Prawn Malabari — a coconut milk and capsicum sauce. The dishes were served in traditional copper pots, and the accompanying rice was beautiful; it looked as though every grain had been separately cooked, it was so light and fluffy. The ambience was superb. Soft background music and de´cor complimented the gorgeous indian artifacts decorating the walls. The tables are well spaced so we did not feel invaded when a large group sat down for their meal beside us. The restaurant was half full, and there was a good stream of people popping in to collect their takeaways. The evening was a complete hit. Madly Indian had successfully managed to convert my friend back to the pleasure of eastern cuisine. She loved the subtle blend of flavours, describing them as exquisitely smooth — a complete contrast to the greasy, stodgy, rich and highly spiced indian food she’d had before. She raved about the way the spices lingered in her mouth. My other friend perked up as soon as she realized her tender teeth were not going to stop her from enjoying the food. The chef had catered to her needs without having to pulverise his much loved dish. It’s probably a good thing that I’m not often in Waipu at lunch time because they serve a mean subway type kebab roll on fresh naan bread for just $7.50, which if you combine with a coffee, you can have for just $10. I’m looking forward to the middle of October when they will be introducing even more dishes along with a nutritious children’s menu and a range of refreshing summer drinks like mango lassi; a mango and yoghurt mix. Every time I go, the promise of a great meal is fulfilled. Now I can get my eastern fix seven days a week between 11am and 2.30pm for lunch and 4.30pm until late at night.

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Safe and private outdoor garden area Come and enjoy our new light lunch menu Waipu: 1 The Centre, Waipu. Tel: 09 432 0103 Mangawhai: 7 Wood Street, Shop 2, Mangawhai Heads Tel: 09 431 3132 Open – 11 am to 2.30 pm for lunch 4.30 pm till late for evening service www.madlyindian.co.nz