Rachel's Guide to Newcastle and Beyond!
May 16, 2015 in Eating Out 0
Until recently my experience of Indian food in this country has been rather uninspiring. I’d usually head for a curry house late at night and wash down a bland Rogan Josh and stodgy naan bread with lashings of lager, well… no more!
My eyes have been opened to the fact that authentic Indian cooking can be both sophisticated and ridiculously tasty. What’s more, I now realise that a carefully selected wine is a much better accompaniment than a gassy pint. The reason for my revelation? Well, the clue’s in the title, it’s all thanks to a wonderful evening I had at Angeethi restaurant in the heart of Low Fell, Gateshead.
I was one of several local bloggers and journalists invited along to the Spice and Sommelier event and was delighted to have the opportunity to try eight diverse dishes, each paired with a different wine to highlight the flavours in the food.
Zaffrani Salmon – fresh Scottish salmon marinated with saffron and spices – paired with Babich Black Label Sauvignon Blanc
David, the sommelier from the restaurant’s wine merchants HB Clark, spoke passionately as he introduced the accompanying wines, explaining the reasoning behind the pairings and pointing out some of the key flavours. It was clear to see a lot of thought had gone in to the menu, I loved trying dishes I would never usually order and discovering which wines went best with them.
I’ve become much more adventurous with food over the last few years and I even found myself enjoying a Fish Madras with a glass of Shiraz Cabernet, it may sound like a strange combination but it was absolutely divine!
Priya Mishra, owner of Angeethi, said: “I’ve always found the wonderful pairing of wine and Indian food to be a match made in heaven. We are a traditional Indian family kitchen and we endeavour to deliver the true essence of India through a menu of delicious dishes from various regions of India, catering for all ages and pallets.”
The passion from the whole team at Angeethi certainly shone through, the food surprised and delighted both James and I, he’s not stopped talking about the Hara Bhara Kabab, a delicious vegetarian starter made with paneer (Indian cheese) and spinach. We’ll certainly be ordering that again next time we visit Angeethi and I also hope to try their renowned Thali, a selection of ten different tapas style dishes. Well they do say variety is the spice of life!
You can find out more about the unique and varied menu at www.angeethi.co.uk be sure to keep an eye out for their special offers too.