The Spice Avenue

THE SPICE AVENUE AT BIRKDALE HAS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.

The only Balti restaurant in Australia is a long way from its sibling in Wolverhampton Old Blighty, but delivers the goods for those hankering for a warm Brit-style Indian curry washed down with an English lager.

Balti curries, so named because they are cooked in a ‘balti’ – a wok-style pan – tend to be flavoursome and slightly creamier than the standard Oz Indian variety and are an easily acquired taste, catering for mild and hot fans.

Chicken Bhuna, Tarka Dahl and the Balti mixed vegetable masala are but a few of the recommended dishes on offer and the naans are not to be missed. While most of the mains in at under $20, the specials venture into the 20’s with a few nudging $30.

In true Brit style non-curry fans are catered for too with the last part of the menu devoted to English items such as fish’n’chips, roast chicken or ribbed fillet served with fries and salad.

And for parents of tandoori and korma-averse children, who thought they’d forfeited their chances of ever dining at an Indian restaurant as a family, will rejoice in the English kids menu with nuggets, fish or roast chicken and chips for $7-$8