“I have been nurturing the dream of making indian cuisine number one in the world.” Sanjeev Kapoor
While the concept of a weekly Curry Club is not a new innovation, the dining experience that celebrates Indian cuisine is proving very popular at Angar restaurant located at Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi. Every Wednesday diners can enjoy an authentic taste of India with a range of regional dishes and curries that take you on a spicy culinary journey across this multifarious nation.
Your taste buds are certainly in for a treat with dishes that embrace the six different elements of Indian cuisine; sweet, sour, salty, spicy, bitter and astringent designed to provide a rich and tasty well-balanced meal. Chef Pradeep Kumar’s signature cuisine is a modern twist on customary classics including marinated meats and seafood and a range of vegetarian dishes accompanied by fluffy naan and traditional drinks, all of which make an appearance in the Curry Club menu.
Three starters, four curries and two desserts are on offer within the set menu with either a beer or soft drink included in the very affordable AED 175* price tag. Popular Indian street food dishes make up the three starters; Pani Puri (also known as golgappas) is crispy puffed up hollow Puris filled with potato served with Pani, a tangy and sweet water that I’m told traditionally doesn’t smell so good. Also on offer was Jhal Muri (spicy puffed rice) and marinated chicken breast cooked in the tandoor known as Bhatti Ka Murgh.
Curry Club is an interactive experience, between the starters and the main course we were each given a napkin that was sprayed with an aromatic substance. We had to sniff out and name the spices that included curry leaves, coriander seeds, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom and mustard seeds.
The main course was served in the style of a Thali, small bowls of curries accompanied by steamed rice, dal makhani, cucumber raita, salad, naan bread, yogurt-based drink Chass and a bunch of fresh coriander to sniff between dishes. Diners can choose four dishes from the menu that includes Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, Lamb Coconut Korma, aromatic Kadai Prawns, a flavoursome Goan Fish Curry and for the hot curry lovers, Lamb Vindaloo. Vegetarians have plenty of choice with piquant Paneer Lababdar, Dhingti Mutter (mushroom and peas in a thick tomato gravy), Vegetable Jalfrezi, creamy Saag Aloo (spinach and potato) and Mirch Began Ka Salan (eggplant with jalapeno).
Last but not least were the two desserts presented in a square metal tin, Indian Chai Pannacotta and Saffron Rasmalai (poached milk dumplings infused with kashmiri saffron). A small cellophane bag contained Mukhwas, the colourful after-meal snack of nuts and seeds that act as a digestive aid.
Along with the fresh and well presented dishes, the staff are knowledgeable and efficient. Angar is a fancy eatery, stylish and colourfully modern decor with a palette of rich golds, orange and copper. Large bold artworks adorn some of the bare paler walls, brightening up some of the white, some may say clinical, interior of this contemporary hotel. A large outdoor terrace designed for alfresco dining has views over the marina, avoid race evenings as it’s so loud on the track that you can’t hear yourself think let alone converse with your dining companions.
Much thought has gone into the creation of the Curry Club and not just in the saporous food but also in the overall delivery of the concept, dishes are served in authentic style containers and trays and there’s even a touch of Bollywood with the retro style movie poster table mats.
Wednesday nights are officially curry nights in the capital, the perfect midweek social gathering with friends and family, a dining experience where you can enjoy sample size portions of many delicious dishes in one sitting. Some may like it hot, others prefer mild but whatever your spice preference there’s something for everyone’s palette at Angar’s weekly Curry Club.
Curry Club
Location: Angar, Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
Telephone: 02 656 0600
Email: dining@viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
Website: www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/en/abudhabi
When: Every Wednesday 7pm – 11pm
Cost: AED 175* per person including a beer or soft drink
(*excludes 10% service charge, 6% tourism fee and 4% municipality fee)
I was invited to Curry Club at Angar. All views are my own. Unless otherwise stated, all photos on this page © Jo Brett 2017. All rights reserved. Additional photos used with courtesy of Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi
Sounds good – i’d have had mine hotter than the ‘other half’
Of course 😱