'A Namaste Indian Restaurant @ Lygon Street, Carlton

Because it was Sunday and it was the Goddess of Mercy's Birthday (or enlightenment, I forget) the Boy took me to try a wonderful new (for us) Indian restaurant.



We went to 'A Namaste in Carlton (Lygon Street).. just 2-3 stores down from Ying Thai II...

The menu was really cute.. in that they had the usual spicy-ness rating next to their dishes, but theirs was:

*Medium Hot *Very Hot and *Low Cholestrol (which I found amusing)



AND... it was one of the best Indian Vegetarian meals I've ever had (they serve meat dishes as well, but also cater to vegetarians!)



And being a true meat lover, this is really saying something!!



Delicious, rich, and absolutely tantalising, their dishes rocked my taste buds!!!



The interior is really tiny... and because it was just the Boy and I, we didn't have to wait for a seating...

Apparently it is able to seat 40... but I think that's really generous.. the restaurant is really really cramp and tiny... but it more than makes up with their gastronimical delights!!



Apologies for the pictures, I had left my camera at home (stupid me) and had to use my Nokia N95 for the pics...

We started the meal off with my Teh Halia (Ginger Milk Tea) and the Boy with Teh Tarik (directly translated, pulled tea, but it's just milk tea Malaysian style)



The waiter was a bright chirpy fella, who suggested we try a few items and asked if we wanted our dishes to come accordingly or whatever comes first.

I was starving and it was a cold day. "Whatever comes first, please!!"

This was really lovely, slightly crispy and rich in spice

MUSHROOM MANCHURIAN $7.95
Mushroom pieces battered, deep fried & tossed in special Indo-Chinese masala



Next we had, a very filling but refreshing potato croquette, Indian style (came with a minty, cucumber dip...

POTATO BONDA $1.95
Curry mashed potato balls dipped in chickpea flour battered and deep fried



DAL SPINACH $6.95
Split yellow lentil seasoned with garlic & cumin seeds, cooked with spinach puree

This was absolutely delicious and went remarkably well with the butter naan



Next was this spicy mushroom dish. The poor Boy was sweating (he's quite useless when it comes to Hot and Spicy)

SHABNAM KI SAALAN $7.95
Mushroom cooked in flavoured cashew based gravy in Hyderabadi style



BUTTER NAAN $2.50
Naan spread with butter

The naan was fresh (they make it at the front of the restaurant, Mamak style!)... and it was very light and fluffy, just the way a naan should be!



This rice dish was recommended by our waiter. We were deciding between this and a briyani, and he said that since we were having a few curries, the Saffron Rice would be perfect...

SAFFRON RICE $3.95
Saffron flavoured fluffy boiled rice

and he was right!



I truly recommend people to go and try (if they haven't already). This is actually a sister branch, with the original Restaurant located in Malvern, with another name (helps to avoid confusion), Namaskar Indian Restaurant

Next stop: To go and try Namaskar.. but I'll do the meats!!

Overall Food Rating: 9.5/10
Restaurant ambiance: 8/10 (it was quite cramp, and only 3 waiters serving)
Value for money: 9/10

Namaste Indian Restaurant @ Carlton (North & South Indian, Malaysian & Indo-Chinese Cuisine)
Address: 104 Lygon Street,
Carlton
VIC 3053

Price: Entree $2.95 to $9.95, Main $8.95 to $12.95, Dessert $5.95

Phone: (03) 9654 0550

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Namaskar Indian Restaurant @ Malvern

Address: Shop 1/ 20 Glenferrie Rd
Malvern
VIC 3144
Phone: (03) 9500 9558

How to get there:

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