Anshumann Da Dhaba – Hidden Indian Gem

Mushroom Tikka Kalimirch

Lamb Rogan Josh Curry

Lamb Korma Curry

Kashmiri Chilli Chicken

Naan

Anshumann Da Dhaba is a small restaurant which has two branches in Clayton and one in Daylesford. It isn’t your typical fine dining restaurant but it serves great North Indian food. The service is attentive and the food once ordered is served quite quickly. I went here with my family on a Sunday evening around 9pm and the place was packed with a mixed crowd of young families, groups of friends and parents. My dad asked one of the waitresses if the crowd is usually this busy, and it usually is. It is open till late at night and is great for people who do night shift and work long hours. I asked one of my friends about this place, and he too said that this place is quite busy at most times. This serves as a testament that the food is quite fantastic and tasty.

The dishes are cooked using fresh ingredients and you can really tell – the result is mouth watering dishes. We ordered the Lamb Rogan Josh and Lamb Korma Curry, as well as two of the specials available that night – Mushroom Tikka Kalimirch and Kashmiri Chilli Chicken. The Lamb curries came out in little copper coloured dishes on top of a holder which houses a candle to keep the dishes warm as you eat it. The Lamb Korma was creamy and spicy all at the same time, and the lamb was tender and cooked perfectly. This I thought was such a great idea. The Naan bread is one of the BEST I have had. It was garlic buttery goodness and it felt like you were eating clouds – yes it was that soft! The Mushroom Tikka Kalimirch (although the dish didn’t look appealing – you can have a look at the pic above) tasted fantastic. The flavours were not too strong and had a corriander hit to it. I haven’t had mushrooms cooked this way before. One downfall was the Kashmiri Chilli Chicken. The dish was filled with more cashew nuts and thick curry rather than chicken itself, and although the dish was meant to be Chilli Chicken, there wasnt much spice at all.

Overall I would definitely recommend this place if you are looking to try some authentic North Indian food for a very reasonable price. The dishes are decently sized as well. Also as you are waiting for your food, you are given free pappadums together with some sauces and a small salad.

Rating: 4 Pandas
Price: $
Menu – refer to http://www.anshumanndadhaba.com.au/index.php/our-menu – Has a selection of various curries (Meat & Veg varieties), Rice, Breads etc.
Fullness: 100%
Atmosphere / Ambience: Casual and Buzzing
Standout Dish: Lamb Korma Curry and Mushroom Tikka Kalimirch (this was a special when I went)
Service: Good service and Friendly. (Although it did take a while for the Mango Milkshake to come out)
Online Booking: No
Restaurant Details and Location:
http://www.anshumanndadhaba.com.au/

290 Clayton Road
Clayton
Tel No: 9543 1068
Opening Hours:
Monday, Wednesday to Sunday (Closed Tuesdays)
11am to 12:45am

331 Clayton Road
Clayton
Tel No: 9544 2291
Opening Hours:
Monday-Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday (Closed Wednesdays)
11am to 12:45am

Level 1, 74 Vincent Street
Daylesford
Tel No: 5348 2982
Opening Hours:
Tues – Sunday (closed Mondays)
12pm to 9pm