Jewel on the Bay, Rose Bay (26 March 2018)

639 New South Head Rd, Rose Bay NSW 2029
http://www.jewelonthebay.com.au

Indian dining local gem

I've always been curious to know what this Indian restaurant was like as I've driven past so many times on the weekend and seen people dining outside for brunch — although it confused me to think diners were having Indian for breakfast. But I've since learnt this isn't the case as they have an Aussie style cafe menu for breakfast and lunch while for night time it's Indian cuisine. How unusual to see such a diverse mix on the menu although I guess it's smart business thinking to accommodate all the meals of the day. I feel like these guys are been around for ages. One of the service guys said around 15 years.

Tasty complimentary pappadums with a flavoursome mint raita are served while browsing the menu. They serve well while waiting for the friendly yet lapsed service to return to take our order. Amazing to see how full they are on a Monday night keeping the service very busy. Garlic Naan ($3.50) and Plain Naan ($3.50) are good. Tandoori Mixed Grill ($24.90) with two pieces each of Chicken Tikka, Tandoori Lamb Cutlets, Tandoori King Prawns is served with more tasty mint raita and make for a good starter to share. Chicken and lamb is pretty tender and bursting with decent flavour. Butter Chicken ($22.90) is our main course with some Basmati Rice ($4.50 large). Nice flavours again and good chunks of chicken.

I ordered the Anar Pom-Pomtini cockail ($15) based solely on the name hehe. Vodka, squeezed pomegranate juice shaken with ice and served in a martini glass garnished with pomegranate seeds. I'd actually given up on this arriving 10 minutes after all the food had arrived but it finally came 15 minutes after the food. For a relatively simple cocktail I was hoping this would have been served much earlier. It's quite sweet, no sign of pomegranate seeds and reminds me of a cosmopolitan in flavour and appearance. The decor is cosy and the best tables for a water view are out the front. There's curry to go available from the bain-marie but I think dining in is the way to go to enjoy the curries cooked to order in this fine looking family friendly restaurant.

Taste Test: Shottesbrooke Engine Room Shiraz 2010, McLaren Vale, South Australia (29 June 2012)

http://engineroomwines.com

Spiced up engine well-matched

‘We need to determine the sell price for the wine in your goody bag and ultimately how it will fit into our range. Bring your bottle, log in on Monday 2nd July, 3 pm and be part of the Naked buying team.’

At the Naked Wines Australia Media Launch everyone received a bottle of Engine Room Shiraz 2010 from Shottesbrooke McLaren Vale to assess and hopefully provide their feedback to the winemaker Hamish Maguire in the chatroom at 3 pm Monday 2nd July. Predicting that drinking at work during the day would prove challenging I chose to pre-open the bottle the following night and try with their suggested food match of Indian spiced lamb cutlets. The flavours complimented each other very well on the palate which was actually better than just drinking the wine on it's on. For me the robust flavour of the wine was better suited to enjoy with food rather than drinking on its own. I think a bottle would be worth between $15-$20 and the interesting wine label would also make it suitable as a retro-style gift. The alcohol content seemed higher than normal as well. I'm not sure if 14.5% is normal or high but I felt pretty happy after the second glass.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Goes well with Indian spiced lamb cutlets as recommended, No shortage of alcohol in this baby, Interesting and fun wine label

CONS: Didn't enjoy as much just on its own and preferred with food

MUST TRY: Checking on the results of the chatroom

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Engine Room Shiraz 2010 McLaren Vale Shottesbrooke

14.5% alcohol really hit home for effect

Tandoori lamb cutlets with spiced baked potatoes and green beans, Chef Leong