“Oh my god, that’s Russell Crowe over there!!” one of Miss America’s friends says. And sure enough the Gladiator is sitting there metres away from us.
“What do we do?” someone asks.
“Nothing! Just keep taking photos of the food and not him!” I answer his reputation preceding him.
We’re dining at Flavour of India in Edgecliff, an establishment that has seen its share of celebrities. It occupies a block of road right next to one of Sydney’s most expensive suburbs Darling Point and our waiter tells us that Nicole Kidman has dined “over there” and he points to a quiet corner and this is of course the infamous place where Michael Hutchence had his last meal.
But back to us, it’s native New Zealander Miss America’s twenty year anniversary dinner living in Australia. So having Russell, a native New Zealander who now lives in Australia whom we’ve just reclaimed along with the pavlova is kind of a lucky charm no? We’re having the $49 banquet here tonight. Now I should add that the banquet is not really a banquet and it’s not very good value from what we can tell. You basically have a mixed entree and choose from a list of eight curries for your main and you end off with a tea. Which would cost you about the same if you ordered them separately and then you would get more curries to choose from and there’s no sense of “banquetness” i.e. an array of food unless there are a lot of you happy to share.
Pappadums
We start with some pappadums with mint yogurt, mango chutney and a tomato, onion and cucumber salad.
Mango Lassi
I try a bit of Mr NQN’s mango lassi and it’s not bad although it’s not quite sweet enough with the tangy yogurt but that’s just me perhaps.
Mixed entree
Our mixed entree arrives and it has a tandoori lamb cutlet which is a superb, tender soft cutlet of lamb generously coated in a tandoori yogurt sauce. There is also a piece of chicken tikka thigh which is juicy and moist and also coated with a tikka yogurt sauce. The samosa, something that can often be dry and stodgy has a lovely crispy shell and a delicious interior that avoids all stodge.
Chicken Butter Masala
We basically chose one of each of the curries. The butter chicken, roasted in the tandoor oven and then cooked in a creamy butter masala sauce (and I’ve seen how much butter goes into butter chicken sauce and it’s a lot!) is good although probably not my favourite butter chicken or curry of the night.
Lamb Saag
I love spinach dishes (palak paneer, the cheese and spinach curry is a favourite) and the lamb in this curry is delicious and the finely blended spinach gives the sauce an added creaminess and body as this curry doesn’t contain cream.
Cauliflower lentil curry
The cauliflower lentil curry, a nod to vegetables in this meat heavy dinner has red lentils and cauliflower florets and is rich with desiccated coconut to give it a thickness, turmeric to give it that shade of yellow and chilli to give it spice and parts of it pack a punch.
Beef Vindaloo
We’ve been warned about beef vindaloo in that is is said to be one of the hottest curries so we approach it with trepidation. It’s not fiery hot at first but there’s definitely heat and it’s a heat that lingers on and on and on. The meat is beautifully soft too.
Pepper chicken
The pepper chicken is an unusual dish-we haven’t seen it much on menus. It’s spiced with mustard seeds, tomato and coconut with tender thigh fillets and is said to be a South Indian special that doesn’t have cream in it (read: good for diet!).
Goat Curry (bakra)
Goat curry is always a favourite of ours, especially when the goat is cooked until very soft (there’s nothing worse than struggling with chewy, bony goat). Thankfully it of the soft cooked variety here. This is delicious and despite some at the table not liking the idea of goat they like the execution of it and it disappears quickly.
Basmati rice
Naan
The naans (plain and garlic) are puffy and filling and always a nice accompaniment to soak up the curry sauces although I would have ordered the peshwari naan with sultanas and nuts if we weren’t on the banquet menu which didn’t offer it.
Our banquet finishes with a cup of tea but it’s not offered when we finish, we have to ask for it. It’s a cup of chai spiced tea which is gorgeously aromatic. We watch as Russell gets up to leave with his dining companions and when a curious diner asks the waiter what he ordered the waiter says that he had the goan prawns, fish tikka and a naan well done.
So tell me Dear Reader, would you approach someone famous in a restaurant?
Flavour of India
128 New South Head Rd, Edgecliff
Tel: +61 (02) 9326 2659
Open for dinner 7 nights a week and lunch on Friday
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52 Comments | Add your own
I think the same about main courses, Lorraine. If it’s not got cream in it, it’s diet friendly.
Of course, no such rule exists for dessert.
Hope you’re having a lovely break.
SSG xxx
Drooooool. How I love a good Indian restaurant.
No way would I approach someone in a restaurant, unless they were my all-time favourite and I knew I couldn’t live with myself if I passed up the opportunity.
I did dine in Miami recently at a place where Nancy Pelosi was dining the same night. The giveaway was the secret service detail surrounding the place. We left at the same time she did, and she smiled and said hello. It was wasted on us 2 Aussies and 1 West Indian, but we still tell the story to all who listen!
Sydney is not a bad place for starspotting me guess…
haha I would be waaaay to chicken!!
But yummy Indian food AND celebrity spotting sounds like a fun night all round!
I think famous people should enjoy their meal without interruption. Perhaps getting an autograph once they have left the restaurant might be more appropriate.
Um, I don’t know what I’d rather have: “Russell Crowe” or the “Chicken Butter Masala???”
~~Couldn’t you have snapped a quick photo of the Gladiator? xx
Ps. come on, Lorraine…at least for your readers!!
Haven’t been here since we first moved to Sydney 14 years ago and about a week before Hutchence had his last meal there!
Have always said hello to celebs in restaurants and usually get a reply of sorts. Best was at Azuma Kushiyaki when Tetsuya walked in and sat behind us – I said to him “this place must be good if you’re here”. He replied “it’s the best!”. High praise indeed.
Don’t the Paparazzi do that enough? I say let them be and enjoy the moment.
Hi – I saw YOU at Baroque a couple of Sundays ago. You sat down next to my mother & myself but I decided you to leave you in peace – and of course, to enjoy the lovely food and atmosphere there
I’d only approach someone famous in a restaurant if I knew them. Out of a working environment they are entitled to their privacy. Knowing someones name doesn’t make them a “friend”.
Not unless it was Johnny Depp – then I’d just lie at his feet.;-)
Beautiful post. My mother made us a full indian feast yesterday – chicken curry, boda curry (boda is a type of bean), and spiced long beans, with maize flour rotis. Delicious.
It looks like a nice restaurant.
As for meeting someone famous – meh. Couldn’t be bothered spoiling someone’s dinner – namely my own
.
Great Post NQN!
(Pet peeve! – Sorry I’m Indian, and I have to do this – chai is the hindi word for tea. Calling it chai tea is like saying PIN Number, or ATM machine… sorry! Don’t mean to be pedantic!!)
Actually I LOVE the look of the food – if I got to Sydney, this place would be on my short list! The lamb saag (one of my faves to cook too!), goat curry and cauliflower lentil dish would be on my order and the rice is dressed almost like biriyani! The naan looks wonderful!
Approach a celebrity at dinner: for me that is a big ‘no-no’! They have a right to their private time!! Was horrified when my then 10-year-old daughter whipped out an autograph book in the Sydney Opera House Foyer and slipped thru’ to ask Robert Morley for his autograph! Yes, she got it and, seeing my horrified look, he actually came over, gave me a hug and firmly told me not to get angry. At his age he was chuffed that a child would know who he was!
I’ve heard a lot of good things about this place and the food looks pretty good. I was dining at Bondi Icebergs about six years ago when Russell Crowe was there with his wife, but I’d never approach a celebrity having a meal.
Looks delicious, Indian food is a favourite of mine! Funny I had indian
it was also very yummy.
Last night
Big Russ has a property near us, as does Jack Thompson so these are regulars around town. Russ does a lot of work for the smaller communities around Coffs Harbour, particularly for kids and sports.
Oh and no I wouldn’t approach a celebratory, I can’t imagine anything
More annoying than people interrupting your meal to say hi! I wouldn’t do it.
I used to go to that restaurant years ago, I loved the Malai Kofta and Alloo tomato.
I would never approach someone famous in a restaurant. I would find it far too intruding. Although maybe I would if it was an ultimate celebrity of mine (not russell)
oooh beef vindaloo, how I love thee.
Heidi xo
I like that restaurant Lorraine.
I’ve seen Russell on Stanley Street while I was dining.
Too shy to approach him & my friend & I tried very hard not to keep looking at him!
Dining with Russell Crowe? Not too shabby at all. OK, so maybe he was at a different table, but STILL! Quite impressive.
I don’t think i have even been to edgecliff, i only know it because of the train station! Hopefully oneday i’ll be able to venture into the city more often. I love lamb saag, and i have never seen the pepper chicken dish before.
And it depends who it was that is famous, Nigella for example i would want to tell her how much I love to cook her recipes (although in all honesty I would be too scared to) but russell, what would you say?
Wow, I never knew where Michael Hutchence had his last meal. Makes me feel old now that I am older than Michael Hutchence was when he breathed his last, because back then he seemed so old to me. Looks like an interesting array of curries, even if it wasn’t the best value. I would never approach a celebrity – I am too shy.
I was going to suggest you take photos of Russel Crowe with your phone, but he’d probably take it from you and clock you with it
Love the deep green of the lamb saag! I haven’t had Indian in far too long…
Naaahhh, don’t like interrupting or saying hello to celebs in restaurants unless they’re politicians of ill repute – then its fair game to heckle them all the way through dinner
(sorry, I know its crass but I’m from Canberra & seeing pollies in restaurants is an everyday happening for us & besides I’m sure they rate their popularity on the amount of heckles they get in pollie town)
I am looking forward to some Indian food.
I’ve always wanted to try lentil curry, but I’ve never had time to make it
And that naan bread does look very nicely done. But I guess if it’s quite pricey for a ‘banquet’ I will try and make my own next time!
I love Indian and I think i’d stick to the food rather than approach a celebrity, especially one who may react in a scary manner
I love Indian food, and a good Indian restaurant! Glad you took the pics of the dishes, not of the actors
.
ciao
Alessandra
Ohh Lorraine, I wished I hadn’t opened, read and pawed over the photos. I want Indian now, must be something about being English, think, see or smell curry = get hungry and want curry.
Oh, my. It’s like reading an illustrated litany of all my favorite things on an Indian menu! There goes my diet; I will, however, swap the mango lassi for a rose-flavored one.
I used to work as a junior publicist for a local film outfit and I’m currently a public relations associate, so dealing with famous people is pretty much part of the job and I’ve learned not to get flustered and to speak to them as if they were ordinary folk. However, if posed with a visit from Matthew Gray Gubler (Dr. Reid from Criminal Minds), I’d probably get super tongue-tied!
Hi Sydney Shop Girl-hehe absolutely! It’s a free for all
Haha and good call on dessert! 
I am, I hope you’re having a great one too? xxx
Hi Karen-Me too!
Oh wow secret service too! 
Oh that’s nice! 
Hi Michelle-hehe it’s not bad although I don’t think it’s like LA
Hi Lisa-me too! Not when they’re eating too
It was a great night 
Hi Tracey-I agree
Also Russell has a very formidable reputation!
Hi kim-haha it’s a hard choice no! I’m so sorry Kim darling! xxx
Hi Ju-It’s been around forever hasn’t it! Oh that’s a great celebrity spot! You might like tomorrow’s post then!
Hi Matilda-I agree
Hi Jillian-Oh I remember you and your mother, you were sitting to my right if I remember correctly? I hope you had a great meal and of course next time feel free to say hello
Hi Pam-that’s true! I think some people may feel that they know them through their movies or tv appearances :
Hi Amanda-Haha I like your style!
Hi Noelene-Oh you’re making me very hungry now!
Ok thanks for letting me know about chai. I wasn’t sure! I often see it as chai tea but it could be that others don’t know that chai means tea too! 
Hi EHA-Aww she sounds so cute Eha! And I think if it’s a child and they’re polite and /or excited you would have a hard heart to refuse them!
Hi joey-He certainly dines at all of the good places doesn’t he!
Hi GourmetGetaways-Oh fabulous! I adore Indian food, especially in winter!
Oh that’s wonderful to hear! You don’t hear much about that. Yes I don’t know what I would say to them either! I mean I get quite tongue tied! I wish we had more options on the banquet menu as the menu sounded very good.
Hi Heidi-Yes I agree, very true. Although I wonder if everyone has one celebrity that they would break that rule with
yes that was really good! 
xxx
Hi Angie-It’s reliably good indeed
I know, we did that too and a few members of the party were quite loud !
Hi Carolyn-Haha yes not quite at the same table
Thanks!
Hi muppy-Ahh well this is very close to the train station if you ever get off there
Ahh yes I would get too scared to talk to most of them! 
Hi Cakelaw-Yes apparently it was, what a dubious honour! Yes I would have liked to have tried other ones as I’ve been there before and really enjoyed them. Me too!
Hi Hannah-Oh my, I hope not! I would be terrified to do that
Hi Anna-haha I like that exception
Hi Debra -delicious isn’t it!
Hi Pudding Pie Lane-Yes they do things well there
I love lentil curry, it’s so healthy too 
hi Phunk-Yes food is definitely the focus for us although there were some Russell fans!
Hi Alessandra-Haha yes of course!
hi Gareth-Sorry Gareth!
I hope you get your curry!
Hi Midge-Oh yes rose lassi is gorgeous isn’t it! We don’t see it much on the menus here. Ahh I absolutely love MGG’s unauthorised biographies on youtube! He is so sweet and talented!
I really like Flavour of India, the goat curry in particular, it was often a choice for birthday outings and the takeaway still tastes yum!! I once saw Miranda Otto buying diapers in the Double Bay Woolworths, but I just peeked from behind my box of cereal and left her on her way!
Haha, I may approach someone famous but certainly not Russel Crowe! (Maybe this is why he wanted his reputation to precede him, lol!) Anyway, the food looks wonderful. Too bad about the butter chicken though, that’s usually my fav…the mixed entree looks fantastic though!
I have always enjoyed eating Indian food, but I don’t eat it very often. Probably because I feel that if I make it myself it’s not that authentic
. The mixed Entrée looks totally delicious!
You have the best adventures. Love that you just kept taking pictures of the food. xoxo Mum
Well, I sure wouldn’t waste my time approaching Russell Crowe, that’s for sure.
But no, I never approach movie stars…they usually prefer privacy anyway.
I don’t eat a lot of Indian food, Lorraine, but some of these dishes are quite appealing.
Sounds like a fun and delicious dinner, all the curries look excellent here.
Lorraine, what a torture, seeing all this yummie pictures of India food and not being able to reach…they look delicious. Hope you have a great week ahead
I’ve often passed this restaurant but I’ve never dined there. The food looks delicious, I love good Indian – and goat curry! Yum!
I’m a big fan of Russell Crowe, but I would never approach a celebrity if they were eating. I did approach Ewan McGregor at Fox Studios farmer’s markets when he was here filming Star Wars *swoon*
I love seeing celebrities when out and about. I would never go up to them though, unless I had a few drinks in me… I love indian food, it’s best eaten with a few people though so you can get all the accompianments
I just sat opposite Cate Blanchett at the airport in Vanuatu 2 days ago….sigh, I just want to be like her. I didn’t talk to her though, she was with her family and it didn’t feel right to intrude on her personal time…I did want to tell her though that I loved her Oscars dress this year….my absolute favourite….
Those curries look great, even though it’s hard to photograph these kind of meals.
I think ‘live and let live’, one day when I’m famous I hope people will let me eat in peace!
Often celebrity restaurants disappoint! So sad….
Oh where is the Russell Crowe pictures!
Lorraine, you mean to tell us you really did not accidentally snap one picture of Mr.Crowe! What…
ooh! have driven past here hundreds of times and have wondered hundreds of times if it was any good. now i know.
and i’m sure old rusty wouldn’y swing a phone at you
It’s very nice to see such amazing Indian food in Australia… Looks very close to what we have at home
Cheers,
The Variable, Crazy Over Desserts – Nachiketa
I’m always too shy to say hi to even minor celebs! although a guy from Neighbours once asked if I “had a light” as I’m not a smoker it wasn’t a long conversation but it’s much easier when they say hi first!
One of our work group approached Billy Joel to say hi while he was eating a very late dinner after a show some years ago. I could see he was quite annoyed but he was polite. I would never do it.
Wish the Butter Chicken didn’t have any butter in it. lol.
I’d like to think that I’d have the balls to go talk with celebrities, but I think when it comes right down to it, I couldn’t do it!
We saw Cate Blanchett on our flight last week! In Economy and all! I love Indian food, this places looks nice but it’s a shame about the lack of value-for-money.
My problem with “famous people” is I never recognise them. I could trip over Russell and be none the wiser.
Now on to the important stuff, food looks lovely. Your samosa comment tells me they take care with the finer details.
hehe cool! i drive past this place like every week on my way to church at Woollahra… its cool to finally see what the food in there is like!
i think if i accidentally saw a celebrity i would be really surprised and too timid to go and say hello, hehe.
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