Arcades Indian Treat: By Charis Chang
News Paper: Northern District Times

There is a strange juxtaposition in finding an elegant, candlelit Indian restaurant in the arcade of a shopping centre.

At first it feels strange to be sitting in the sparse contemporary surrounds of Beecroft's Dawat Indian Restaurant.

Instead of the usual garnish wall hangings of various hindu gods and goddesses, Dawat features a grey stone wall that also serves as an art piece. The wine glasses shine in the muted lighting, with music at the right volume to talk without yelling while still covering up the awkward silences.

Outside the dark shop windows of surrounding stores are cluttered with their wares. Inside the restaurant there are white plates, dark brown tables and silverware.

Quietly, the ambience of the restaurant gradually works its magic and the slick commercial world outside the restaurant fades away.

The meal begins with pappadams served with a mint sauce. For those that enjoy Indian food without the greasy aftertaste, Dawat is delightfully reserved in its use of oil. The pappadums were crisp and once the napkin they were sitting on was not stained with excess oil. Their accompaniment, the mint sauce, was a divine balance of sweet flavours and smooth texture.

This was followed by vegetable samosas with were again perfectly cooked. The pastry was exactly right-not too thick and heavy but serving instead as a crisp basket for the soft filling of potatoes and peas mixed with sharp spices. For the mains we enjoyed the classic dish butter chicken and fish garlic masala.

The chicken was extremely soft and tender and garnished with almond flakes. The tomato flavours were especially strong. As with most of Dawat's dishes, the fish was a blend of subtle flavour and texture with a bite of crunchy garlic, ginger and coriander.

A special mention must go to the playful colour of the fragrant rice. On the whole, in its food, the location and setting, Dawat is a restaurant that embraces contrast.

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