Ish

Bringing authentic(ish) Indian food to Gertrude Street, Ish fuses modern and traditional elements of the cuisine and is helmed by a team of celebrated Indian chefs.

The restaurant is a collaboration between North Indian hopso vet Ganeev Bains and renowned Indian chef Sainyam Kapoor. The two have created a menu that will be be executed by sous chef Himank Bhardwaj (Barbeque Nation, Taj Group of Hotels).

The share menu is split between 'peckish', 'moreish' and 'famished' categories. Smaller plates include free-range chicken tikka with caramelised onions, roasted garlic and 'burrani' yoghurt ($19) and tempura eggplant with capsicum and tamarind peanut salan ($20) — a regional curry traditionally served at weddings.

Bigger plates feature the slow-cooked Kerala beef curry with Malabari paratha (flatbread), butter-poached scallops with south Indian coconut curry ($30 each) and an Indian take on risotto with poppadoms and pickled onions ($23). You could, alternatively, swap the paratha for gluten-free naan ($8), too.

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. 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.

Images: Rhiannon Taylor.