Vrindavan is the historical location where Krishna and Rada, all of only 4000 years ago, became
the stuff of legend. Close to Delhi, at 7000 years the oldest capital on the planet, and on the way
to the Taj Mahal, we're talking auspicious & holy place of the highest order. But type into Google the
word Vrindavan and you're just as likely to discover the fine cuisine of this Pyrmont restaurant than any
great swathes of wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita - my how times change thanks to the internet!!
From its start in 2000 Vrindavan Restaurant has been tantalising the tastebuds of thousands of
customers in Sydney - most of them in fact from around the world. Its centralised location at the heart
of the city sees the restaurant more popular with international tourists than Sydneysiders. It's highly
recommended by travellers from India and the UK, as word of mouth reaches those cravers in search
of home-style Indian food. Vrindavan’s owner Praveen Kumar and chefs Muniruzzeman and Farooq
meet the special dietary requirements of people looking for select regional Indian food, halal
items and hard-to-get Jain cuisine at very short notice.
In a word, the flavours are exquisite. Dishes such as we sampled on a recent highly indulgent
lunch were all fresh, vibrant and vital. The Fish Curry (Mahi Ambotik) was intoxicatingly more-ish, while
Vrindavan lives up to its catch-phrase of being "the most affordable Indian restaurant on this side of the
city". With three days notice, diners looking for extravagance can feast on Lobster Masala, or the
unforgettable Sikandari Raan, which is a whole leg of lamb, marinated in wine and spices and
finished off in the Tandoor. Having said that, the charming and intelligent host Praveen is at pains to
convey the homespun view that if he failed to do a perfectly decent Butter Chicken, or Chicken Tikka,
or Vegetable Jalfrezi, that he's be out of business within the month. So the mainstays of Indian
cuisine as enjoyed in Australia are taken very great care of.
Yet Vrindavan is not just an average Indian restaurant. The restaurant can accommodate up to
75 people for group functions – birthday, anniversary, wedding, corporate, farewell etc. If the guest list
is more you can cater from the restaurant to your function venue be it home, office, function centre,
community hall, cruise boats - you name it and they will do it. Another prominent feature of the
restaurant is the door delivery service – the term ‘door’ delivery used instead of ‘home’ as they deliver
not only to local residents but also to customers at their local work place and to tourists staying at
furnished apartments and hotels around the area.
Right from the first dish we were impressed by Vrindavan's fine touch. It was a "Chicky Basket
for Two" entree, appetisingly presented with two pieces of chicken tikka, two Hariyali chicken (hara
meaning 'green' as this is chicken in a mint marinade), and two pieces of Chicken Malai Kebab (a
yellow cream and cheese paste). It set the tone for a great afternoon, as did their rather excellent
sound system, which was never overbearing but it's great to hear Indian music through quality speakers
for a change! This place is run with sincerity and dedication - it's only been going seven years, not
much by comparison with the original Vrindavan - yet it's creating a little history of its own.
www.vrindavan.com.au
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