When I first arrived in Gladstone, I heard that the best food you get in Gladstone is Indian food. I was shocked. Here I am in a place I would call “middle of nowhere” and I hear about great desi food.

Within a week of arriving I headed to Indian Balti – Kirkwood. What is with Indian restaurants and  red faux brocade chairs with gold rims? I have never seen them anywhere other than at Indian restaurants. Well Indian Balti also has them.

The ambiance was pretty good and the menu standard North Indian fare. You can check out their menu here.

I ordered Chicken 65, Panner tikka masala and an assortment of naans/kulchas and paratas. Chicken 65 was a major flop – pretty inedible. I had given up hope when the panner tikka masala came out. It was perfection – homemade panner with capsicums and a nice tangy sauce. The breads were decent.

Their chai was a major disappointment for the tea lover in me. I was hoping for a nice masala chai instead I got the Aussie version of chai with cinnamon sprinkled on top. Just not what I was looking for.

On our second visit, we ordered onion bhajis, shahi panner and butter chicken with an assortment of breads. The spice levels (after asking them to crank up the heat) left me wanting more.

As we ate, I noticed the restaurant catered mostly to people who have no or minimal knowledge of Indian food. Given the minimal offerings in Kirkwood (the other option is Dominos) and in Gladstone in general, it was not surprising. Majority of the people ordered takeout.

Indian Balti has a couple of other branches. I am yet to experiment the rest. They also offer an Indian buffet and catering options.

KIRKWOOD RESTAURANT
Woolworths Shopping Centre,
Kirkwood Road, Gladstone,
Queensland 4680
Phone: 07-49793120
Mobile: 0435778899
Email: p@indianbalti.com.au

All opinions, experiences and reviews are my own.

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