On Wembley Avenue in Yarraville, just off Francis Street, there’s a strip of small shops and one can’t help but stand out with its bright pink cushions along the front window.
Mishra’s Kitchen is the epitome of a good local Indian, slightly off the beaten track, colourful, bright and filled with the rich perfumes of a myriad of delicious spices.
Sajeev Mishra works behind the counter in the open kitchen, kneading dough for naan breads, watching his dishes on the stove, putting plates and takeaway containers together.
He co-ordinates dishes like a conductor with his orchestra, bringing all the different aspects of this layered cuisine together to create delicious and, in this instance, very well-priced dishes.
There’s a small selection of entrees, including Samosa (2 for $5), which are almost rotund from being stuffed with gently spiced vegetables. If you’re a tandoori fan, like my children, Mishra’s Tandoori Murgh (chicken) won’t disappoint.
Order half ($10) or a whole chicken ($18) from the tandoor oven. Lamb, fish and prawn dishes are also done in this style and you receive mildly spiced, slightly sweet tender pieces of chicken with a small fresh salad.
From a good choice of curries, we tried the lamb rogan josh ($12) and asked for it at medium heat. It’s robust in spice but not overpowering with lots of cumin and coriander seed.
The Jhinga Madras ($14) is a generous serving of prawns in a rich, creamy sauce of coconut milk with the savoury addition of mustard seeds; it’s bold, sweet and complex.
There’s a large choice of vegetarian dishes, all for $10 and including Baigar Baigan, a textural eggplant curry, and the classic Palak Paneer, a mix of spinach puree and Indian cheese all bound together with mild curry spice. The service is charming, thoughtful and friendly and Mishra is a constant presence ensuring that all his guests dining in the small room are happy and that the takeaway dishes go out on time (there’s delivery to nearby areas). Enjoy Mishra’s; it’s worth a visit and hard to miss — the window with the bright pink cushions.
