Warm on the inside
The Tandoori pizza at Vespa Bar With its laidback, friendly atmosphere, Vespa proved the perfect spot to seek solace from a bitter southerly. We resisted the armchairs by the fire and the leather booths, deciding a standard table the best place for pizza consumption. The Tandoori arrived promptly, loaded with tender chunks of tandoori marinated chicken, red onion and roasted red peppers, topped with an aioli swirl and a light dusting of fresh coriander, all on a delightfully thin and crispy hand-stretched base. Superb! Price: small $15, large $20 Address: 6 Poplar Lane 
Indian lamb curry at The Bangalore Polo Club Amid an eclectic mix of hunting trophies and historical photographs, we ordered an Indian favourite – lamb rogan josh. The curry, served with separate bowls of rice and raita (a yoghurt-based sauce), was delivered by a waitress in a polo top. Despite being mild, the flavoursome dish still provided a warming sensation perfect for a winter’s day and made the raita an especially welcome addition. Price: $18 Address: 136 Oxford Tce
Lancashire lamb hot pot at The Bard on Avon Sitting beside the faux fire at this ye olde English pub was the ideal place to eat a slow-braised hot pot on a wet winter’s afternoon. The thick tasty stew of generous lamb chunks, carrots, onion and celery arrived piping hot and topped with a duvet of crispy baked potato slices. It came with three veg – broccoli, peas and cauli – and doorstops of rye bread, which we couldn’t finish. We left warmed on the inside and out. Betty would have been proud. Price: $18 Address: Corner of Gloucester St and Oxford Tce
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Vegetarian filo parcel at Bohemian Café-Bar Warmed by the roar of a fire, to distract from the wintry view of the Avon, we chose a vegetarian filo parcel from comfort foods on the menu. The two golden packages were filled with roasted capsicum, spinach, sundried tomatoes and ricotta cheese, and topped with toasted almonds. The earthy, cheesy vegetable mix dominated the pastry, as it should, and the salad greens were a crisp finale. Price: $16 Address: 256 Oxford Tce |
