Ish
A two-storey modern Indian eatery serving up gluten-free naan and spicy 'risotto' in Fitzroy.
Overview
Bringing authentic(ish) Indian food to Gertrude Street, Ish fuses modern and traditional elements of the cuisine.
The share menu is split between 'peckish', 'moreish' and 'famished' categories. Smaller plates include free-range chicken tikka with ginger and garlic, Indian scotch eggs with curried onion and pulled confit duck marinated in Indian spices.
Also try the home made pan buns with a spiced potato fritter and mint and coriander chutney, a classic on the streets of Mumbai.
Bigger plates feature the slow-cooked Kerala beef curry with Malabari paratha (flatbread), Punjabi style tick creamy butter chicken with cashew nuts, an eggplant moiled curry served with turmeric, coconut curry and mustard seeds or the Bengali lamb curry, flavoured with yogurt, cashew paste and poppy seeds. From the sea enjoy the island fish curry or the prawn and eggplant moiled with coconut and turmeric.
The fit-out was designed by Melbourne's Studio Round and Indian interior designer Annu Bains, with all of the bespoke furniture imported directly from India, too. Stepping through the doors, you'll feel transported to contemporary India.
Spread over two floors, the restaurant features leather banquettes, timber high tables and exposed brick walls downstairs, while upstairs boasts forest green accents, round tables and brass and leather seating. Grab a seat, get comfy and prepare to feast on all manners of tasty Indian treats.
Images: Rhiannon Taylor.
