Simple yet sophisticated Indian delight – Babuji Restaurant

Place: Babuji Restaurant

Address: The George Building, 4–6 Grey Street, St Kilda, Melbourne

Website: http://www.babuji.com.au

Summary Review: A humble Indian restaurant offering traditional Indian food with a modern twist. Sticking to it’s roots some dishes were from the popular streets of India as well as the classics that are seen across Indian restaurants. The food is a knock out 10/10. Spicy level is mild, flavour level is smack bang awesome. The staff are super friendly and nice as well as helpful whether you’re a first timer or a regular customer.

“Babuji” is a word used as a respect for elder men, e.g. Grandfather. The portrait of a grandpa is the restaurant cover for their menu.

Unravelling the menu there are food choices which are popular from the streets of India, as well as the classic curries and traditional Indian sweets.

I am not very familiar with Indian food so much & I have to say I go where my Indian friend goes as I have always trusted her palette when it comes to good, authentic Indian cooking.

 

Pani Puri – puffed pastry filled with mashed potato & chickpea and spices

We started our night with this entree called Pani Puri, it is a popular Indian street food which is a crunchy puffed pastry filled with potatoes, chickpea and traditional spices.

In the middle is the tamarind sauce which you pour on to the pani puri and then eat it in one go. This version of the dish is not so traditional as it has the pomegranate in it. I personally enjoyed this and probably one of the dishes that I would always look for when I go & dine in other Indian restaurants. First time trying it and I loved it! This dish is best to have straightaway whilst it’s crunchy.

 

Aloo Nazakat:: Crisp potato shells stuffed with cottage cheese & dried fruit charred in the Tandoor

Next entree was called Aloo Nazakat, potato shells stuffed with cheese and fruit.

This was a bit spicy for my liking but full of flavour and their coleslaw salad version on the side was sooo tasty. I think I could have a bowl of that salad and I’d be happy.

 

3 types of naan bread, butterchicken and gobi

For our mains we had 2 types of curry. The classic butter chicken and gobi mussalam.

 

Butter Chicken

First the butterchicken – we all know this dish, very popular amongst the crowd and known for a non-spicy curry. I must say i don’t order it very often because I feel that it’s unhealthy seeing the word “butter” but based on the spice level that I had from the entrees I had a feeling that I would go for the safest option. I reckon it was the best decision ever as this butter chicken is probably one of the best I’ve had in Melbourne. I like the sweet and slightly charred taste to it.

 

Gobi Musallam :: Roasted cauliflower in a creamy curry with cashews, aromatic herbs & spices

The other main was a cauliflower curry dish. It was tasty, smooth and spicy. we also had 3 types of naan bread – plain,garlic&chives, sesame all of them were very nice. I like how their not too thick and doughy as some naans can be.

We also had dessert which was the Pista Kulfi – piastochio icecream with a hint of spice. It was very much enjoyed that we forgot to take a photo.

Overall I recommend this restaurant if you want a good classic yet modern Indian cuisine. We thoroughly enjoyed the great service that we received from the owner and staff. I liked how they say on their website that as soon as you walk I to the restaurant you are treated as a family and that truly gave us that feeling.