Despite the weather, there was a pleasant buzz in the
venue with several families and couples enjoying their food. I arrived covered in
snow and was cheerfully welcomed by a pleasant server. I was immediately impressed
by the stylish and warm décor of Chakra. Contemporary hardwood and
bistro tables are complimented by funky red lanterns and amber candles, which contribute
to the restaurant's saffron glow. The real star of Chakra's décor,
however, is the unbelievable art on the walls. Contemporary and India-inspired,
the impressive collection by Gregory Burns gives Chakra a polished, gallery-like
appeal that entices the eyes and the soul.
My visual appetites thoroughly
sated, I turned to the menu to deal with my increasing hunger. For appetizers, we
started with vegetable pakoras, Tandoori jeera chicken and pomegranate prawns grilled
in a banana leaf. The appetizers were not only all delicious and perfectly spiced
but beautifully presented on sleek white bistro plates that set off the visual appeal
of the food. The chicken was particularly impressive in that it was a breast portion
of the bird which can often be dry. On the contrary, these tikkas where succulent
and moist, especially when garnished with the lemon and coriander chutney which
accompanied them.
For our mains, we chose the
Japanese eggplant curry, the classic lamb curry, the cilantro mint chicken curry,
and Tandoori Jingha (prawns) with Cilantro butter. To accompany our curries, we
ordered naan and the classic basmati rice pilau. The mains took a bit of time to
arrive, but when they did were more than worth the wait: The eggplant curry was
divine - delicately grilled slices of purple eggplant juxtaposed with a savoury
yogurt based gravy. I loved the use of black mustard seeds in this dish; their nutty
flavour is a big favourite in my family and adds a Southern tang to any dish.
The chef had been careful to address our request for reduced oil in the food, and
both the lamb and the cilantro chicken were flavourful and fresh without being greasy.
The cilantro chicken on the menu was a refreshing change from the tomato-based chicken
curry that we often see on most Indian menus. The rice and naan were perfectly done
and served hot and steaming. While we were enjoying our meal, the restaurant's staff
was attentive and considerate, addressing our every need in a pleasant and non-obtrusive
manner. [continue]