India meets Chinatown in this chicken dish that's not to be missed
Meanwhile, tastebud-cooling saffron lassi helps temper chilli-spiked dishes, and pound cake with saffron cream is another recipe you'll be glad Dutt has shared beyond her immediate family.
Kolkata Social echoes its sister restaurants in various ways. Its charitable focus sees meals being donated to Calcutta Rescue and locals in need. It's a training ground for migrants and refugees and features a mural celebrating a maternal figure – here it's Dutt's mother, who was unaware of the restaurant's existence until she visited in March, just as it opened. Kolkata Social is singular, too: a direct passage to West Bengal's capital city, reinterpreted with flair by a promising young Sydney chef.
Three more Indian restaurants to try
Flyover Fritterie
This vegetarian diner is rightly known for its dosa potato jaffles and ginger cardamom chai, but you should check out its specials menu, too. Expect fries with the herbal, feisty flavours of Agra chaat masala and green chutney, plus cool swirls of Indian filter-coffee soft serve.
Dragon House Indian Chinese Halal Restaurant
Sure, you can find pakoras and pappadums here, but there's also a focus on Indian-Chinese specialties such as gobi Manchurian (battered cauliflower) and 'triple' Sichuan, which combines twig-crisp noodles with fried rice and a fiery sauce.
38-40 George Street, Parramatta, dragon-house.com.au
Adyar Ananda Bhavan
Head down Little India's cottage-lined main strip to find 'A2B' as it's called. Here, diners seek out savoury bites of idli and vivid rows of sweets: the cashew-based strawberry kathili and rose-flavoured Raskatham Bengali special are highlights.
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The Age
3 days ago
- The Age
Not quite luxe but this expedition ship is the real deal
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Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Not quite luxe but this expedition ship is the real deal
For a ship that carries 130 passengers, Greg Mortimer beats some larger expedition opposition in its generous public areas, which include a large lecture lounge with a help-yourself coffee station, and adjacent Elephant Island bar and lounge, popular for pre-dinner cocktails. The forward-facing observation lounge on Deck 8 has a small bar and large deck from which to view wildlife and scenery. Another expansive deck faces aft on Deck 7, which might normally be filled with Zodiacs on expedition ships. I particularly like the snug library on the port side, crammed with polar reference and history books, and with windows often framing views of mountains or icebergs. The ship also has a reception desk, small shop and, in its bowels, a mudroom for storing boots and poplar jackets (both supplied by Aurora Expeditions) and with access onto Zodiacs for excursions. The stateroom I'm in a balcony stateroom, each of which varies slightly in size. Mine is 20.9 square metres plus balcony. It's a generous and well-considered space with enough room for a desk and two small armchairs, and ample storage space for the contents of two suitcases. A large TV, a minibar and abundant electric and USB sockets are among amenities. The room is well insulated: I can't hear my jet-lagged neighbours, who worry I might be disturbed by their TV late at night. The ensuite is a decent size but is lacking a cabinet or much counter-top space. Yet it has what you really need in polar conditions: underfloor heating, and a generous shower space with gushing hot water. The food Dining times are short, and service swift but attentive. Seating is open. There's only one restaurant, with breakfast and lunch served buffet-style and providing a good range of hot and cold dishes. At lunchtime I'm very happy with the salad bar, cold cuts and cheeses, an always excellent soup, and various hot dishes and desserts that change daily. The galley delivers consistently good, home-cooking-style cuisine, rather than the fancy or adventurous. The menu is Europe-inspired but among the choices is always an Indian (and sometimes other Asian) dish to enliven the palate. Wine is included at dinner. A small section of the dining room is set aside in the evenings as a speciality, inclusive Tuscan grill restaurant. It has a limited and unchanging menu but the two pasta dishes (pappardelle alla norma and oxtail ragout) are excellent, as are various vegetable side dishes. Wellness The ship has a small spa, a good-sized gym with an impressive range of equipment, and two hot tubs on Deck 7 at the front of the ship that make for fabulous wallowing as glaciers and icebergs pass by. Also popular is the sauna, where chilled bones can be warmed, especially following the notorious 'polar plunge' or rite-of-passage dip into the icy Antarctic Ocean. Entertainment Nobody is on this ship for singers or piano players. Greg Mortimer is focused on maximising the expedition experience, so 'entertainment' is confined to informative lectures by highly experienced expedition staff, many of whom are scientists specialising in geology, ecology, Antarctic history or niche subjects from whales to penguins. Guests make Zodiac excursions twice daily (conditions permitting) and may opt for additional adventure activities such as kayaking, snowshoeing, mountain climbing, ice camping and scuba-diving or snorkelling (yes, even in polar regions). Greg Mortimer has a huge advantage in Antarctica, where regulations restrict landings to 100 people at a time. With some guests out kayaking or doing sporting activities elsewhere, guests can maximise their time ashore without any need, as on larger ships, to rotate. The crew The quality of any expedition hinges on the experience, knowledge and good sense of the expedition team, where Aurora excels. Greg Mortimer himself leads the team on my voyage but all its members are impressive, whether in the lecture lounge or out in the Zodiacs. On shore they patiently answer questions about everything from sea-ice formation to the sex life of penguins. The regular ships' crew are mostly from the Philippines, with all the usual charm and friendliness you expect from that nation's hard-working cruise staff. They soon remember guests' names and dining preferences. A shout-out in particular to the irrepressible Pel and the always-singing Wendy in the restaurant, who manage attentive service while always appearing relaxed. The verdict Aurora Expeditions isn't a fancy cruise company with an expedition-lite arm but the real deal, offering a thrilling and rugged sense of adventure in the remotest places – and yet not sacrificing comfort to do so. The details A 23-day Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctic Peninsula itinerary round-trip from Ushuaia departing December 27, 2025, is priced from $US28,215 a guest all-inclusive, except for some adventure activities. Greg Mortimer has two staterooms with disabled access. See The rating out of five
Sky News AU
4 days ago
- Sky News AU
Major travel warning issued for Australians heading to the Maldives as official advice warns of 'civil unrest' and 'terrorism'
Travel advice for Australians planning a trip to the Maldives has changed, with an official government website urging visitors to be aware of potential 'terrorism'. The Department of Foreign Affairs updated its Smartraveller website on Thursday after reviewing advice for those bound for the popular holiday destination. Smartraveller now recommends Australians to 'exercise a high degree of caution' while visiting the Indian Ocean archipelago, warning of the possibility of violent public demonstrations. 'Public protests and events that draw large groups of people may occur in greater Malé and inhabited islands, and can turn violent,' the advice said. The website urges tourists to steer clear of areas where demonstrations are happening and to listen to advice from Maldives authorities. And though resorts on islands are still deemed 'generally safe and secure', Smartraveller warns that terrorism events can occur anywhere in the country. 'Exercise a high degree of caution in Maldives due to the risk of civil unrest and the threat of terrorism,' the updated advice reads. The website said possible targets of terrorism can include government institutions and areas where tourists frequent. An Australian man and two Chinese national were stabbed in the Maldives in February 2020, and an arson attack happened in March that year on the island of Laamu Gan. An explosion that wounded the country's former president then rocked the Maldivian capital in May 2021 after an improvised explosive device was detonated. Petty thefts around beaches and even inside hotel rooms is also a safety concern, and valuable items being secured is recommended, according to Smartraveller. Official travel advice also changed for Australians bound for Bali following a Smartraveller update last month that warned tourists of spiked drinks and rough seas. Like the Maldives, a high degree of caution has been issued while visiting Indonesia, and the advice warns to be alert to methanol poisoning when being served alcoholic beverages. Many beaches in Indonesia are 'unpatrolled', and holidaymakers are urged to be cautious when entering the water. 'Australians have drowned in coastal areas, due to rough seas and strong rip currents at popular tourist beaches including in Bali,' the advice said.
