Quote from: livo on February 22, 2019, 11:19 AM
CHH, you're probably on the money about spicey food. I'm sure there are those who do like it but obviously not as many as in the UK. Certainly some of the people out here from the sub-continent would do. My father in law's favourite was a vindaloo.  It's good to know that the information on the forum is providing genuinely close BIR dishes. I'm noticing both similarities and differences when comparing my BIR style curry to the locally available dishes. I admit to not being a huge fan of blisteringly hot dishes.

I actually don't have a sewerage service here, or a town water supply. The Romans never made it this far, although I think some people have got them fancy flush dunnies and we now have plumbers as recognised tradespeople. My property has a stand alone, onsite 4 stage treatment plant.

I actually wasn't referring to heat at all. You do very much get hot dishes here. But they are virtually tasteless. I am talking about spicing. Australians in general prefer very very light and "healthy" as opposed to anything with any fat or spicing in it which is bizarrely viewed as "unhealthy". Its just an Australian affectation that's all.

I moved to Australia 5 years ago. I am blessed to have dined at some fine BIR establishments in the UK.
I'll always have a soft spot for Eye of the Tiger in Bournemouth which was my favourite when I was a student. I actually was able to dine there again last year on a trip back to UK and so much of the town has changed in the last 15 years which had me worried. But I am pleased to report that its as good as ever.

The food in Newcastle, NSW isn't bad at all really if you like certain food groups. I do like Newcastle as a place and its nice that its not overrun by the yellow tide...yet. However, unfortunately bar one lucky curry experience, I have found the quality of Indian in Australia to be down right appalling. The truth is, most Australians I've met hate strongly spiced food so Indian especially is really dialed down here, more so even in Newcastle. The service is always slow, lazy and generally appalling compared to the UK. Theres so much more competition in the UK I guess and the service in curry houses generally excellent - the cobra never stops flowing.

The good news is that with some practice, experimentation and following some of the guidance on this forum you can make BIR just as good as the UK. Yep I said it. Its true. The only thing thats different is the ambience. A lot of people here agonize over *that* taste but to me now its fairly simple to achieve, I'd say it boils down to several stages that if you get right, your end result will be right.

Having said all that, I'm no expert mind, and only really do 3-4 curries. But I do them well.

Hi Tikka, livo

I live in Newcastle so I'll share my thoughts.

If its any use, I actually do my shops for BIR spices in Broadmeadow http://www.kairaliasiangroceries.com.au/
Its opposite the korean fried chicken place.

I've been to a few fair of the grocers here in Newcastle. I think I know where some good ones are and I reckon the above is best for BIR.

If you like Korean/Japanese then there's a great place in Lambton.
There's also a guy who sells his own blends in Newcastle mall. Interesting place but not really where I'd shop.

Regarding Asian restaurants, sadly I can't recommend anything whatsoever in the area. Its overall poor. Even by Australian standards Newcastle can't even do a decent Thai. Adelaide seems to do that best.

Anyway that's all not an issue as I make BIR and Thai at home.

Newcastle is dominated by American style hipster burger places which is what they do well. Its what people like here, which is somewhat different to the tastes of other towns.

Cheers
Chilli

I love this convo, reminds me of being down at my mates after a curry and a few beers. Happy days.

Quote from: Madrasandy on November 15, 2014, 06:52 AM

Quote from: chillihothot on November 14, 2014, 04:28 AM
Its true the curry here is shocking.

I've heard there are some really awful British Indian curries in oz 

Indian in general are *disgusting*. They tend to underspice and everything comes in a liquidy sauce that takes like nothing. Then they add weird things like kidney beans. The service is typically terrible compared to BIR back home. Usually reluctant and lazy service. They cant do popodums right either. The only thing that's any good is naan. I think the best curry I've ever had here would be equal to a shocker back home.

I would LOVE to have this added in to a curry but perhaps not as the base. I think I'd appreciate the flavour of the onion a lot more when I could taste crunch and sweetness. Good post.

Its true the curry here is shocking.

Looks great! I can smell it too.

Could this be the real thing?

Just necroing this thread to say I have not yet had a better Thai place than this in Australia. I think this is saying something about how poor Thai is outside of Thailand. Yet still its not been a year and I wish I could pop in here for a Green Curry fix when I need it.