CILANTTROS, East Fremantle:
The cafe that sits in the International Food store in East Fremantle has grown up and grown out of what has been described as “Pandora’s box of Indian and Asian food”.
Well, this is not quite true. Now Cilanttros, the cafe by day and restaurant by night, is still under the same ownership. The delicacies that you used to be able to find on the menu are still there. Cilanttros is just bigger, better and warmer. And there’s more of everything on offer – more vegies, more spice… And more gluten free, vegan and halal friendly options.
Kumar, owner-operator, says the split came about organically. “It was a natural progression. With the International Foods store doing so well we wanted to make the most out of the fact that we have all the right ingredients and experience here at our disposal and we had outgrown the original dining area”.
Cilanttros, almost by magic, metamorphoses from an express lunch cafe at day to an Indian food haven at night. Dine in or take away. You choose.
Sure, you can find an excellent vindaloo, butter chicken and korma here. But how about this: Spicy Pumpkin Coco Splash, Persian Lamb and Apricot, or what about a traditional goat curry served Goan style? So what exactly is Goan cuisine?
The spices and flavours of Goa are mild to intense. Influenced by its Portuguese origins, and even though predominantly vegetarian, a Goan repertoire cannot be considered complete without seafood. It’s no surprise then that Cilanttros serve exceptional seafood. There’s fish and prawn curries in coconut gravy, fish and tiger prawn masalas, to name a few.
Another highlight on the menu is the mixed platter for two that comes with onion bhaji, vegie samosa and savoury lentil doughnuts served with chutney. And then of course, there’s the dosai – traditional Indian pancake served with sambar and chutney. And the flavours are exquisite. No small wonder that Cilanttros continues to win new fans.
Open 7 nights a week (Sundays 5pm-9pm)
Cilanttros
23/155 Canning Hwy
East Fremantle
Phone 9339 0000