May 5, 2007: Bala Da Dhaba

Regular readers (both of you!) mightiness guide maintain spotted a recent comment from Dmargster, having a friendly dig at our attachment to the inner due north in addition to naming their favourite local (Ripponlea) Indian eating topographic point inwards the process. With swift service that would hands-down compaction our local, nosotros paid a see to Ripponlea a mere 4 days later! On our pose out in addition to tardily Sabbatum night, nosotros mapped out an excursion to the due south side for dinner at Bala Da Dhaba, followed yesteryear a painting at the Classic Theatre.

I'm the form of daughter who would prefer that 'my local' is my lazy-glutton-night Indian or Thai eating topographic point but about the corner rather than whatever watering hole. Thus, I was quite chuffed that Dmargster shared this form of affection for Bala Da Dhaba in addition to it had but the unpretentious atmosphere I'd desire from my local. Picture a dated brick edifice amongst disposable newspaper tablecloths over the existent ones, vinyl padded chairs in addition to scattered Indian paraphernalia on the walls. The most nail characteristic is a pocket-size windowed room where 2 of the kitchen staff develop in addition to laid upward naan in addition to meat at the tandoori oven. Michael in addition to I were seated upward against the window into their oven-space in addition to I attempted to guide maintain a duet of sly photos. Unfortunately I failed to plough off the flash, yielding a vivid reflection off the drinking glass in addition to the attending of the guys at the oven. I shyly took 1 or 2 to a greater extent than flashless pics (all blurry - sorry!) in addition to tucked my photographic television camera away, my cheeks burning equally hot equally the bricks that were shielding our legs from the oven. It was nevertheless pretty fun to encounter the huge skewers of orangish meat descend into the dark depths, in addition to the fast, goodness rolling in addition to cooking of the dough balls into charred, fluffy bread.

There are nearly a dozen vegetarian dishes on the menu, in addition to it's also worth noting that Bala Da Dhaba has a page of specials (somewhat odd for an Indian restaurant, I think). This is where Michael chose his Paneer Akbari from ($12.90, pictured above) . I decided to exam the restaurant's baseline amongst 1 of my favourite dishes, the Malai Kofta ($9.40). Of course of pedagogy nosotros also had to exam the labours of our neighbours in addition to nosotros requested a garlic naan also ($3).

It was fortunate that nosotros had the oven to entertain us for a bit, because the service was pretty slapdash. Menus were proffered alone after I made oculus contact amongst the caput waiter, in addition to our bottle of H2O in addition to gratis pappadums arrived after our orders were taken in addition to the drinks arrived. But the mains were served really chop-chop after that, taking alone nearly 10 minutes. Michael's Paneer Akbari was huge, though non quite equally huge equally it looks - it was served inwards a dish three cm deep in addition to kept warm yesteryear concealed tealight candles. He thoroughly enjoyed the sweet, tomato-y gravy in addition to quite frankly, ate a lot to a greater extent than than he should have. (I intend I tin tell that because he groaned all the agency to the cinema!) The kofta balls were submerged inwards a similarly sweetness in addition to delicious gravy, the kofta were on the tough side of tender but to a greater extent than importantly were studded amongst cashew pieces. Finally, guide maintain a expect at that naan - guide maintain you lot always seen a naan smothered inwards in addition to thus much garlic ghee? It was quite the care for - really, our entire repast was an practise inwards exotic junk food, but it was a satisfying one. You'll guide maintain to expect elsewhere for a measured review of their cheese-less dishes!

Bala Da Dhaba is likely non the form of eating topographic point to repeatedly cross town for, but it has the comforting, scattered atmosphere in addition to smile staff I'd desire at my local. I'd move pretty pleased amongst myself on the solar daytime that my regular custom resulted inwards a nod of recognition at the door.

Address: 56-58 Glen Eira Rd, Ripponlea
Ph: 9523 8683
Licensed in addition to BYO
Price: veg mains $8.90-$12.90, rice in addition to breadstuff extra