Masala Theory, Surry Hills.

Bianca: I ADORE Indian food! I love it but rarely eat it. Mainly due to my delicate baby stomach but when we received an invitation to dine at Masala it was a no brainer. I’d read many reviews and new I was in for a bit of a treat.

If you’re expecting your run of the mill, bog standard Indian restaurant, you’re REALLY in for a treat! It’s bright, colourful and fun and we haven’t even gotten on to the food yet.

There are your classic staples, Butter Chicken etc, as well as some fun playful additions like the curry bombs and the prawntini.

With mother in tow, we settled in for our feast. CHANNA JOR GARAM $5 make for perfect drinking snacks. Flattened black grams (beans) are spiced with masala and fried, trust us… they’re delicious.

Papadams & Mint Chutney $ 4, light and crispy with none of that horrible ‘oiliness’.

I was very intrigued by the DECONSTRUCTED SAMOSA GARBANZO CHAAT $16. Playfully presented, texturally interesting with each bite. I’m not the greatest fan of garbanzo beans, that would probably be my only feedback.

Kicking things back to the ’80s. The PRAWNTINI $16. Juicy plump sweet prawns with a super crispy outer coating, how can you go wrong?

MASALA THEORY’S THREE SISTERS CHAT $15 was another vibrant and striking dish. I do struggle with dishes that contain various temperatures (particularly savoury). I enjoyed the crispy spinach ‘sisters’ (a play on the Three Sisters in Katoomba) but the cold sauces threw me off.

You MUST order the CURRY BOMBS $15 no ifs or buts. Succulent juicy chicken cooked in the tandoor, encased by a thin pappadum shell. Spoon some of the accompanying curry sauce into the ‘bombs’ and do as we did, taking each as a whole mouthful. One of the highlights for me!

It’s tried, it’s tested and there is a reason why this is on the menu on 99% of all Indian restaurants. It’s delicious! MASALA THEORY BUTTER CHICKEN $25, smokiness from the tandoor imparted a mild smokiness, the chicken was tender and the sauce well developed. I could have easily polished this off to myself with the spread of naan we ordered.

For the seafood crowd, LOYOLA CURRY PRAWN $28 was very generous with the prawns and with the flavour. I found it more muted than the butter chicken, perhaps to let the prawns shine.

I have a weakness for carbs and you will to when you try the Cheese Naan $6.

The Roti $5 might be a safer bet for those wanting a ‘lighter’ option.

And throwing all caution to the wind, the Cheese Chilli Coriander Naan $6, I ate 95% and regretted nothing.

A delicious accompaniment to the curries was the Lemon Rice $7, I found it refreshing and a good alternative to plain steamed rice.

And to finish, I don’t think either mum or I were sold when owner Yashpal suggested we try the MOTICHOOR LADDOO $16. Tiny pearls of chickpea flour, fried and soaked in sugar syrup (they reminded me of couscous). The combination of the saffron condensed milk syrup and the cinnamon ice-cream was a real winner.

I’ve been recommending Masala Theory to everyone and already have plans to return in a month or so! I say run, don’t walk!

Bianca

*For Food’s Sake dined as guests of Masala Theory.