Tonka
Accessible Indian-inspired cuisine with a fine dining twist.
Overview
There are few places that instantly make you feel special. Tonka is one of them. Follow the flashing neon sign to the very end of Duckboard Place off Flinders Lane, and you'll find your way. The moment you walk in, you know this place is different: the staff are warm yet professional, and the dining room is beautiful.
From Kate and Mykal Bartholomew, the duo behind Coda, Tonka has spent well over a decade putting a non-traditional spin on Indian dining. Regional flavours, varied techniques and local produce all come together in dishes that move well beyond the expected.
Start your feast with snacks like pani puri with date and tamarind chutney and a hit of aromatic water, a crispy prawn betel leaf with moilee, or kingfish papdi with sour yoghurt and pickled pineapple. Paneer tikka with mango chutney and a scallop in fenugreek malai butter make excellent small bites.
Move on to larger dishes like tandoori chicken with thecha ranch, an eggplant Malabar curry with enoki mushroom pakora, Meredith goat salli boti or confit duck leg in a Mangalorean curry. Round it out with a blue cheese and black pepper naan and triple-cooked potatoes with shezwan chutney. Leave room for a warm chocolate torte with jaggery rum toffee, or the coconut mousse with guava sorbet.
Can't decide? A $105 set menu takes care of the whole table. Popping in at lunchtime? The Thali Bar serves thalis from $30 a head, Tuesday to Friday.
The award-winning wine list leans into bottles that complement the spice, richness and freshness of the food, with accessibility front of mind. The staff know their list and can recommend something regardless of your palate.
It's approachable, fine dining if we've ever seen it. Go make an occasion of the whole experience, drinking it all in at Tonka.
Images: Arianna Leggiero.
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