Monday 14 January 2013

Thali Night, banana leaf cafe style

Our much loved Thali Night is back! Inspired by banana leaf cafes in Asia and thali style dining, we'll be serving up an Indian feast on Friday 8th Feb.  Last year was a great success and guests had a lot of fun dining together.  Nobody seemed to mind the bench seating or the mismatching glasses, and most even ate with their hands!

So here's a draft of the menu for what's in store...


Punjabi style samosas with spicy potato & green mango
Paneer & cashew koftas with green chilli & tomato masala
Beetroot pakoda kadai, seasonal dumplings in yoghurt curry
Kali daal (creamy black lentils)
Tarka dal (yellow butter tor dal)
Baigan ka bharta (roasted aubergine masala)
Pappu dosaki (dudhi gourd with channa)

Served on a banana leaf, with basmati rice, salad, raita & pickles

The cost is £20 per person. To book a place, email thehungrygecko@gmail.com

Friday 4 January 2013

New year & a new menu for dining club

I've finally settled on the menu for January's dining club dates.  I'm a big fan of Korean food (no surprise there) and have been playing around with kimchi for a few months now.  I wasn't sure how well noodle soup would sit as a main course.  Soup always makes me think starter.  But it's too substantial for a starter, especially served with the tofu and seawood cakes.

I'm excited about making panipuri.  I love this Indian snack, and for me it's the perfect amuse bouche.  It sings on sweet and sour and spicy notes with lots of soft and crispy textures.  What could be more perfect?

The dessert was inspired by a restaurant in Kathmandu called Fire & Ice.  They served hot brownies with ice cream, which after ten days in the mountains and living on dal bhat (the simple Nepali dinner set of soupy lentil dal and steamed rice, with fresh green chillies and salt on the side) it seemed like food from the gods.

There are still some places available for the upcoming dining club dates.  There are just 3 spaces left for Saturday 12th January, and there are places available for Thursday 17th and Friday 18th January.  The Hungry Gecko dining club is £29 per person for five courses.  To book a place, email us at thehungrygecko@gmail.com
     


January Menu

Panipuri
Classic Indian street food snack
with tamarind, chilli & chaat masala


Kedgeree
Spiced rice in panko croquette
Served with a poached quail egg


Kimchi noodle soup
Korean style red pepper broth with traditional fermented cabbage
Served with tofu seaweed cakes & egg noodles


Raspberry lassi sorbet


Fire & Ice Brownie
Hot sticky brownie with hint of chilli,
served with star anise & vanilla ice cream