Page 46 - Tropic Magazine Issue 32

TROPIC • FOOD

The formula

CURRY CLUB
Cairns Curry Club’s Co-founder
Greg Wilkinson reveals the
secrets of its longevity. 1. Goat Curry 2. Bombay Kitchen

Seven years after a group of mates made None of these points matter without
a simple poolside agreement to create a dependable consistency.
curry club, we’ve never missed a monthly For us, the first Thursday of every
eating. The every-timers keep turning up, month is pre-booked. Weddings,
not to mention dozens of some-timers, honeymoons, holidays, birthdays and
the one-timers have been too many to probably births have been planned,
count, and the once-upon-a-timers have postponed, and cancelled around it.
also been a part of it. If you’re thinking The mostly 20-somethings are now in
about getting something similar going, their 30s, girlfriends are now wives, Bombay Kitchen
here are a few essential ingredients. and the lads are dads. No matter what Shields St
First up, is the strength of community. else changes, that booking stays the
Forget about six degrees of separation, same. My own wedding nearly didn’t
live in Cairns long enough and you come happen because of that commitment.
to realise that everyone is pretty much You see, we booked the November Ambience: Classic, relaxed, indoor.
a friend, or at least a friend of a friend. wedding the same year Curry Club Authentic and unpretentious. Check
Because it’s a tourist town, there are was conceived. By the time it rolled out the wall art and photos.
heaps of great new dining venues every around, the club was in full force. The food: A huge range of
year. Book it and they will come. Luckily, our wedding was on the quintessentially Indian cuisine that
Secondly, make it fun. We have a theme first Friday of the month, so it still new owner and chef Nancy can walk
every month – something as simple as a went ahead. That month's curry club you through. She and her husband
Hawaiian shirt, or don’t turn up without a was one of the most memorable it's really know their stuff. Average
moustache. Each outing, nominate who’s ever had. It was a salmon theme, so price of a main: $17-$20 or $14-$17 for
organising the next one. Booking is easy. everyone was in pink. Out-of-town vegetarian options.
The pressure comes with finding a new friends and relatives joined in, so we Curry Club recommends:
place and thinking of a theme. Don’t play had a huge table in a horseshoe shape. Anything Nancy suggests, like the
it too safe, but also don’t stick your neck Of course, we all sat facing in, so it goat curry. It’s a sign of authenticity.
out too far because if you get it wrong was like a giant bridal party made up Plus, they have all the varieties of
they’ll never let you forget. Believe me. of just dudes in pink. You had to feel naan you’ve seen before and more.
sorry for the only other patrons. I’m Fresh as.
pretty sure it was a first date and they Cons: There are almost too many
sat pretty much directly in the centre menu items to choose from ...
of our enormous table. We shouted
them a dessert which they quickly Pros: The new owners have really
shared before leaving in a hurry. In breathed new life into a Cairns
hindsight, we probably should have stalwart. It shows in the service and
paid their whole bill. A classic night. food. Plus, it’s across the road from
Oh yeah, the wedding the next day McGinty’s Irish Bar!
was great too, honey.

46 • Tropic • Issue 32