Andrew Kay: Dines Out

Hot for cold

After four days suffering with a filthy cold I felt a desperate need to do something to make me feel better – in every sense. My sense of taste and of smell had been all but eradicated, my head felt leaden and the tastiest thing I had consumed for a few days had been a glass of water, yes it was that bad.

Solution, a trip to the Curry Leaf Cafe for a dose of chef Kanthi’s spirit lifting and soul reviving food.

First though a cocktail, created by Max from The Cocktail Shack, a water melon drink with a real kick, I was soon feeling better. And with a £1 contribution to Fare Share included I felt a tiny glow of doing something good.

A dose of chef Kanthi’s spirit lifting and soul reviving food

On chef’s recommendation I started with Hydrabadi Lamb Boti Kebab, a spicy and fragrant dish of tender lamb zingy with chilli and tempered with a sharp salad, fresh lime and a wonderful apricot chutney. A dish of Persian influence I was told and I loved it, the heady spices cleared my head in every way.

Sticking with chef’s advice I went on to feast on Madurai Kohzi Kulambu. This was a rich chicken dish with lashings of delicious sauce and a massive amount of sweet meat too. The Tamil Nadu sauce was heady with spices and enriched with coconut milk. It was fiery and yet soothing, just what I needed and the rice and daal and sweet potato sides offered great balance.

I was feeling better, much better and decided to finish with some of the wonderful ice-cream that the restaurant creates with local gelato meister Seb Cole from Boho Gelato. The mango and cardamom was good if a little underpowered, this could have been my depleted palate, but the watermelon and mint sorbet was a triumph, truly delicious.

With an ever-changing menu Curry Leaf Cafe is always deserving of a visit and a few words here.

60 Ship St, Brighton BN1 1AE
Sun – Thurs: 12-3pm & 6-10pm
Fri & Sat: 12-3pm & 6-10:30pm
01273 207070
curryleafcafe.com

International Chef Excitement
Great news for Latest TV’s popular food series International Chef Exchange. The six part series has been taken by Amazon and will be available in the USA to purchase and watch. We are delighted that the series, that has already been seen across the UK’s local TV stations will now be able to be enjoyed by our transatlantic food loving friends. The series, which is as much about chefs as it is about gastro-tourism, features six of the very best Sussex chefs, paired with six chefs from around Europe as they share their passion and their knowledge.

And watch this space, coming soon ICEx episode seven when Terre á Terre travels to Vancouver for a brand new episode of this popular show.