Lake Whadie Café “If you haven’t tried an Indian this would be a good spot to start.”

Lake Whadie Café    Café & Indian Restaurant    1 Princes Hwy, Lucknow VIC 3875                      Phone: 5152 6060       Email: lakewhadie@hotmail.com                                                                        Tuesday to Saturday -  9am to 3pm then from 5pm until late; Fully Licensed (BYO Wine Only)

Never judge a book by the cover - a surprise awaits you

Location:   Adjacent to Howitt Part in Lucknow and set apart but overlooking the Princes Highway at the front, to the rear some scenic views over the Mitchell River flood plain and with a range of birdlife frequenting the trees around the property, this is one is out of the box. Never judge a book by the cover, step inside and you may well be pleasantly surprised. Ample off street parking at the front and with all accessible access the Lake Whadie Café has a few surprises. Inside you will find simple yet comfortable seating at a range of tables and to the rear an al fresco fully covered deck which is enclosed with quality bistro blinds and can be opened up using bi-fold doors so the restaurant has a larger capacity, great planning. In the cooler months there are two almost separate dining areas.

Simple yet comfortable with service counter for Take Aways

Orders are taken at the table with full table service.  Fully accessible washroom facilities are well serviced and clean. Being fully licensed a range of beverages is available, such a pity I was driving. This is a great and different location for groups and that ability to in effect double the size of the dining area allows for a deal of privacy and separation if required. The café also caters for take away customers and banquets for groups can be arranged upon request.

Fully covered /protected deck

Interior can be expanded to include deck area

Menu:   Where do I start? perhaps this way. First, that coffee and a reasonable range of cakes and sweeter treats is available, this is augmented by a varied list of light meals and snacks. A box of chips, wedges, nachos even baked spuds (or tatty’s as my Mum used to call them), combined with sausage rolls and sandwiches/focaccias and gourmet pies, should keep those needing a quick feed satisfied, and not forgetting a breakfast list with the usual eggs ‘n bacon plus Benedict, Florentine, or in an omelette, croissants raisin toast and the like, now onto the good stuff.

Entree - Vietnamese Spring Rolls and Samosas

A small but none the less, perfectly acceptable range of entrees to tantalise your tastebuds, Samosas, Spring rolls, Pakora and even a marinated Lamb Cutlet leads you through to the main courses. Here a wide range of curries in most of the more popular styles and catering for all tastes, including Korma, Madras, Rogan Josh, Masala and even Vindaloo. They come with a choice chicken, lamb, vegetable and prawns. Added is a very good range of specific vegetable main dishes which include the use of lentils, chickpeas, spinach, cottage cheese, potatoes, peas and cauliflower, don’t worry not all together!  On the side rice comes as plain Basmati, Pea Pulao (with peas and spices) Coconut rice and Lemon rice. Then of course the extras, pickles, chutney, Raita, Chapatti (plain or with garlic) and more… All dishes are explained on the menu so you know what you are ordering, and for those who have not experienced Indian dished before.  Gluten free and vegetarian options are all readily available.

Vietnamese style Spring Rolls

Experience:   I have a reputation for enjoying a good curry, even cooking a fair few in my time, some of which have managed to walk across the plate on their own according to my other (better) half, and having lived and worked in West London for some time I knew most of the good restaurants and take aways.  At Lake Whadie Café It was almost like returning to one of my old haunts. The table service was pleasant and efficient, orders taken and timing between courses was right on the mark. I was hungry and the opportunity to have a good curry was rather attractive, so I went for it.

Samosa encasing spiced potato and peas

Entrées, we shared 4 Vietnamese Spring rolls with a delicate and mild sweet chilli dipping sauce, these where light well filled and a delightful start to the meal. Then with these, Samoas, two huge ones filled to the brim with potato and peas, then fried in a plain flour pastry until crispy on the outside and steaming hot in the middle, (mind your tongue if you try these). They were served with a sauce that I just cannot fully dismantle, it was fruity yet spicy, almost sour but still delicate, it packed a bit of a punch but was still mild enough to be enjoyed.

Onto the mains, rice first, a plain Basmati rice, a very good serve of light and fluffy rice was easily sufficient for both of us, in fact we left some.  The “other half” enjoyed Garlic and Chilli Prawns, (she is a little apprehensive with unknown curries), and was served a really good portion, I think 6 or 8 tigers cooked in a light oyster sauce with capsicum carrot and onion. There were none left for me to try so that’s a good sign.

Main courses with Basmati Rice

Thinking to go for a middle of the road curry, I ordered a Chicken Madras, served in a bowl, large and plentiful pieces of tender chicken bathing in a really tasty curry sauce including coconut, curry leaves and mustard seeds.  I left not a drop of that sauce, it was really enjoyable.  Finishing the meal off with coffees we left well satisfied and pleased with our visit.  Value for money, in my view no problem at all. $60 for a two course lunch and coffees which will last you way into the night is good value in my book, quality quantity and value here.

Summary:  I have long been trying to take the opportunity to experience Lake Whadie Café & Indian Restaurant and was spurred on by a friend’s recommendation. I am happy to recommend it to you, good tasty food, out of the normal realm of menus, but also catering for those who shy away from the spice of India. If you haven’t tried an Indian this would be a good spot to start. Enjoy.