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| 10-12 Armstrong Street, Middle Park, VIC ( map ) |
Visited: 2006-04-22
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| Ph. 03 9699 4244 |
Style: Indian/Malaysian, very pleasant interior with a small courtyard out the back. As they say, a delectable modern Indian / Malay restaurant, where the cuisine is taking Melbourne by storm, impressing even the most discerning taste buds with a gamut of unique flavours found in India and Malaysia and created by master chefs who concoct intoxicating dishes that capture the taste of both Indias and Malaysia's multiethnic culture and cuisine. The Roti Man s distinctive modern style of Indian / Malaysian cuisine is capturing the imagination and attention of foodies and travelers who consider indulging in great food an important part of their life and vacation. Taste the textured flavours of The Roti Man s celebrated chefs, who utilize the best and freshest local ingredients at Melbourne's newest inspirational eatery.
Ambience: Very good, helped by astonishingly good service.
Price: Entrees $5.50-$14.50; mains $13-$19.50; dessert $6.50-$8. ( menu )
Details: Fully licensed and BYO wine only ($4.50 a person corkage). Open: Daily 5pm-10pm, Thu-Sun 11.30am-2pm.
Special Comments: The service was fantastic. This totally flies against the comments in the review found in The Age, where they said 'Over the years no one seems to have stayed here long - and unless the Roti Man lifts the quality of its service I can see another name being added to the "MIA" list.' Service is clumsy to say the least, from the absence of water to the need for us to scavenge cutlery from the next-door table for our second course. There's little effort to extend any form of hospitality apart from the cursory "how is everything?". And it's not busy. The tables outside under the veranda, in the lovely little courtyard and in the bar of what was once the bubbling Donleavy's are all empty. It's something the new owners tell us they are fixing. The pity is that this service mars an evening that has its merits. I have a long-held belief that Melbourne is ready for a modern Indian restaurant. In the food at the Roti Man there are flashes of inspiration that don't disabuse me of that notion. Their take on "dips and bread" comes as plump wings of naan that are sweet, puffy and splashed with ghee and salt, perfect for soaking in Indian-spiced dips built around eggplant, spinach and a yellow split pea dahl. Other breads on offer include paratha, roti chanai and various filled and flavoured naans. There is sweetness, also, in the tangy and mildly hot dressing on a salad of fat bands of calamari and in a dish of Parsi chicken - although not so that the flavours of apricots and almonds drown the meatiness of the thigh and breast pieces. Like all the meat here it claims halal certification. As with all the sauces we try the flavours are rich and intense; the spicing confident. The flavours of cardamom and cloves stand proud and distinct in the nutty saffron rice as they do in the ashari gosht. This tamarind sour dish of lamb is loaded with capsicum and works well with a side dish of cauliflower in a cashew nut sauce. The firm florets have been tempered with spices, nuts and oil rather than doused with a creamy mash of nuts. I've almost forgotten the staff until they start cleaning up around us, stopping just short of locking up with us still inside. I should note it's not 1am but 10pm. I feel unwanted and that's not very nice - even with a full tummy.
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Member Ratings and Comments:
The best curry in Melbourne. Probably. If Joe's Greasy Café is Manchester United, then this is the Arsenal of curry houses.
That's the best ansewr of all time! JMHO
