The popular Short Eats van opened a cafe in Woden a few months ago. I never got a chance to try the van (too far away from me) so I was excited to try the cafe.
There’s much to choose from the menu. I pick the three house made curries with roti ($18). Two of the curries are vegetarian – a dahl, and a potato curry, and I got to choose the third meat curry (chicken/beef/lamb). I choose lamb curry as the third option. The lamb is a touch too spicy but I am able to eat most of it breaking it up with the other curries and lots of water. I can clearly taste (but not name) half a dozen spices that go into each of these curries. It’s packed with flavour and there’s nothing subtle about it. The roti is also freshly made and I am so full after this meal. It’s decently priced for the portion size.
During my second visit with a friend, we shared a lamb pan roll (unsure of price) as a starter. It is like a deep fried and crumbed samosa or a chiko roll but filled with lamb mince, potato and herbs. I could easily finish a whole one (think a larger size spring roll). It also comes with chicken, fish or vegetable fillings.
This time I choose the string hoppers (rice noodles) with three curries, coconut sambol and a papadum ($25), and I choose the chicken curry as the meat option. The plate is filled wide and topped high with the chicken curry in a separate bowl. It’s such great value, and yes every bite is deliciously flavoured, spiced and authentic.
It is my friend’s first time at Short Eats and she chooses the classic three curries with rice option ($17).
We share two desserts (there’s three desserts on the menu). We choose the milo chocolate biscuit pudding ($12). It’s not what we expected as it wasn’t really ‘pudding-like’. Instead it’s a slice of cake and reminds me a little of sans rival with a meringue base in some of the layers. The milo cream is actually really light making this a nice fluffy dessert. I easily ate all of this!
The falooda cheesecake ($12) is topped with basil seeds and jelly. If you’ve never had it before, falooda tastes a bit like rose and vanilla. This super smooth cheesecake is so creamy with a nice thick biscuit base. No complaints from either of us!
There are so many more dishes I need to try – the lankan spiced grilled chicken, kottu and chicken biryani to name a few. If you love punchy flavoured home-style cooking with spice, put Short Eats on your short list ๐ It’s also a good vegetarian option.
For parents: There are highchairs for the little ones and a big enough space inside for a pram.
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