Special Indian restaurant in Sydney

SYDNEY: Drive by the Pyrmont Bridge in Sydney’s Darling Harbor. Park in 50 Murray Street parking lot. Take an elevator to the first floor of Harbourside Centre and stop in front of a bright yellowish-saffron back-lit signage. It reads: Zaaffran. The tagline: Fine Indian Cuisine/BBQ.

Before you step in, you’d love to know why Zaaffran is the most talked of Indian restaurant in town. The New York Times describes it as “a world away from almost anything you’d find on the subcontinent”. The Australian Gourmet Traveller suggests that “to understand Zaaffran you must leave all preconceptions of Indian restaurants behind” and lauds its “innovative menu, subtle, masterful combinations.” The Sunday Telegraph tags it as a “special Indian restaurant that all can enjoy”.

Established in 1998, Zaaffran lives up to all the accolades that have come its way and its stated mission of serving authentic Indian food with subtle flavors and contemporary presentation. Walk in and on a table there lie little silvery bowls of spices with a ‘do not touch’ warning. On the wooden shelf, awards of excellence are stacked.

The décor is simple, the view of the Darling Harbor absolutely breathtaking. However, it is the food that makes Zaaffran so special. For chef/partner Vikrant Kapoor believes that real Indian food lies not in commercial kitchens but in gharanas (households) that are replete with treasured old recipes.

As such, the lunch/dinner dishes retain the exotic names. Nizam Karahi Murgh, Birbal Nali, Bhoona masaledar chaampaey, Raj kachori,

Achari paneer, among several others make it to the menu. Desserts include pyramid of rose, lychee and pistachio ice cream; caramelized orange reduction, Toblerone-inspired pyramid; chocolate sauce; marinated strawberries, kulfi, gulab jamun.

And yes, the world’s smallest dessert. A vanilla or pistachio ice cream scoop so small you could gulp it at one go. Just so that the kids do not feel left out, there is a special kids menu that includes cumin-scented potatoes with naan, lentils with rice, butter chicken with rice, etc.

That’s not all, though. If you sign up for Zaaffran VIP Birthday Club, you eat free on your birthday. You can also purchase gift vouchers for your loved ones.

And when you are done with a scrumptious meal, look out towards the harbor and see Sydney glimmer in a million neon lights. Perhaps there is no other place where you can get such great view with great food.

Preeti Verma Lal