Aangan

I have been to a lot of great places in the months since I stopped posting, but to be fair I think I need to revisit them in order to give a fair review (ah, the agony!) It does seem fair to write about Aangan, though, given I have been there so many times. I have a weird relationship with Aangan. In the little country town that is Barkly Village, West Footscray, there are not too many dining options. Krishna take an hour plus to bring your mains, and Thai Angels is a bit ordinary. Aangan is always the go-to if you want a good meal within stumbling distance of home. The set-up is a great, with a huge beer garden, the beer is cheap, the variety is huge and lots of Indians love it. So why don't I? Don't get me wrong, I do like it. The samosa chat is addictive (not a discussion about fried pastries - crushed samosas drizzled with tangy tamarind sauce and yoghurt, and sprinkled with chat masala). I just discovered and looove their Gobhi Manchurian, an Indian riff on classic bad Chinese sweet & sour pork, only with cauliflower and lots of chilli powder. Basically it is just expensive. I don't like paying $2.50 for garlic naan and $2.50 for rice on top of a $12 curry, when Kitchen Samrat (36 Leeds St, F'y) does free rice and 2 naan with all $7-8 curries. But it is a great place for a girls' night out or a second or third date, whereas Kitchen Samrat might be pushing it, even for a fellow intrepid foodie.

Aangan, 559 Barkly St, West Footscray