The culinary choices in the Kingscliff/Casuarina area just get better and better. This Summer season welcomed the opening of the Bombay Cricketers' Club (BBC) at Salt Village. It is a competitive restaurant strip at Salt Village, but BCC definitely hold its own. On a recent Friday evening, we arrived at 8:30 pm, thinking that most diners would have eaten and moved on. Unfortunately for us, it was the change over for the first and second sittings. We had no booking, so found ourselves facing the prospect of missing out. Luckily, the friendly and accommodating host said he would see what he could do and he didn't disappoint.
Happily ensconced in the "old world colonial meets cool coastal chic" setting, we surveyed the menu. Like so many excellent restaurants, BCC has a share menu. I wouldn't classify it as a traditional "Indian" restaurant - rather, Indian flavours with a modern twist. Our selection included: organic chicken pops , chilli & pepper sauce fried potato & peas dumplings, roast tomato chutney, lime & mint laccha Salt and Pepper Calamari Goan fish curry, snake beans, crispy okra, curry leaves Not butter chicken, local tomatoes, smoked cream, coriander Basmati rice. Everything was mouth-watering, but my favourites were the dumplings and the fish curry. The fried potato and pea dumplings were surprising because they weren't a noodle based morsel, they had more of a meatball consistency. The accompaniments were outstanding on their own, but when combined with the dumplings, - absolutely scrummy. The wet curry had all the aromatic complexity of Indian cooking, but a light texture that made it palatable on a hot evening. Some of the other dishes available include: pork belly, Tandoori chicken and Duck korma. Plus, the sides and accompaniments are enticing in themselves: Chopped tomato & tamarind salad; Roast carrot, saffron, pistacchio; coconut & chilli sambal; Onion laccha; Tomato chutney; Chilli jam; Watermelon rind pickle. We were impressed with the quick, attentive service., the cool, calm surroundings - and most of all - the delicious and potentially addictive cuisine. And - with such variety on the menu, it won't be long until we venture back (with a booking) for further exploration. Bombay Cricketers' Club is located at Salt Village: Shop 3 / 49-61, Salt Village Bells Boulevard, Kingscliff NSW, 2487 02 66 741 033 [email protected]
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Having been a favourite restaurant of ours for many years, our family ventured to this iconic Casuarina restaurant again a few weeks ago. It was our daughter's birthday, and to our surprise, we realised that it was her first time at Spice Den. While we had dined there on our own, or with friends, and even with extended family - we had never had dinner here with the "immediate crew". I had to admit I was nervous - you know - how it is when you love something so much that you want those special people close to you to be equally as besotted. Would Marie have the same passion for the duck pancake appetisers that I did?
I needn't have worried - all our diners loved the Spice Den experience. We arrived on time to find our reserved table was still occupied by an earlier booking. Normally, we eat quite late, so our booking was for 8:00pm. Luckily none of us were starving , so we were happy to sit at the bar tables at the front of the restaurant and order beer and cocktails: mine was a delicious lychee/daiquiri/alcoholic/frothy thingy - very yum! When our table was ready, we were not disappointed. For bigger groups (6+), the high tables are the best - easier to talk and pass food around. And - our table overlooked the beautiful central pool area of Santai retreat. Seriously, we could have been in Bali, moonlight dancing on the water, palm trees swaying in the breeze. Sigh... The Spice Den menu is based on the popular foodie trend of share plates - a bit of everything. The waitress was very helpful; they usually are at Spice Den. She suggested that for a table of seven, we should order 2 X 3 small plates, three large plates and rice. Of course, even though their recommendations are usually spot on, we ordered more. Our feast included: 2 x Soft duck pancakes, 2 x Chicken satays and 2 x Salty crunchy sesame squid from the small plates; plus 1 x Massaman curry of organic chicken, 1 x Szechuan salted soft shell crab, 1 x Serious fried chicken1 x Wagyu beef pat see yeuw, 1 x Shredded duck fried rice, 1 x Stir fried greens and 2 x rice. Each dish was tasty, spicy and fresh - but my favourites are the soft duck pancakes, the soft shell crab and the duck fried rice - but then again - I love duck. The food is so simple; yet so delicious. The spice in even the spicier dishes is not over-powering, but fragrant. So. real spice-hounds may even need to ask for "extra spicy". The servings are quite generous and it comes out of the kitchen quickly, while also presented beautifully. And - at the end of the meal when you feel absolutely satiated - out come little spoonfuls of coconut sorbet to cleanse the palate. Great touch! The best thing was that the whole table loved it, and one of our favourites became a favourite of our nearest and dearest. So, we know there will be many more nights spent enjoying the food and atmosphere at this special place. |
NatalieAfter regularly visiting this area over the years, my husband, our puppy Ollie and I have now fortunately become part-time locals. I have a dilemma though; there is so much to do , see and eat! ArchivesCategories |