Page 56 - Tropic Magazine Issue 33

TROPIC • FOOD

Some like it hot

CURRY CLUB
Vice-President of the Cairns When it’s your turn to order and you’re Since all the dishes are shared around,
Curry Club gives us a lesson on asked, “mild, medium or hot?” you have it’s a bonding experience, and we become
how to spice things up. to say loud and proud, “hot – and I mean happy to push our taste limits. After all,
Indian hot”. But it doesn’t end there. how can we find the best curry in Cairns
Words: Greg Wilkinson When your volcano arrives, you take without including the authentically hot?
one bite and shake your head. This just
If you haven’t followed so far, here’s won’t do. Get the attention of the same
a quick recap. Cairns Curry Club is a Spicy Bite
monthly boys’ night where all the lads get waiter and state in a frustrated voice,
together to sample one of the many local “I thought I said I wanted this hot”. Edge Hill
curry restaurants. The premise is simple It’s like waving a red flag to a bull.
– find the best curry around. The confused look on the waitstaff’s face
is slightly offset by a glint in their eye as
Turns out it’s more difficult than it Ambience: Modern, enclosed, air
sounds. Restaurants come and go; owners your meal disappears out the back. conditioned, bustling. It was kind of
and chefs change. Cairns’ food culture late on a Thursday night and they
has matured, and local expectations are at were still busy.
an all-time high. We never agree because
the club itself has an ever-changing You know they pulled out The food: Just like its sister
demographic. But newcomers be warned, the good chillies from establishment in town, Spicy Bite
one thing is a must. You must order HOT! Edge Hill delivers a fresh, authentic
I know what you’re thinking. No problem. their own private stash experience. Bright, colourful,
I like it hot. But it’s not that simple. aromatic and full of flavour. Average
mains: $21-$22, vegetarian: $18-$19.

Curry club recommends:
When it returns, it just looks hotter. Goan curries! Try the prawn. And
You can often see the giggling chefs if you’ve been scared to try the
peering from the kitchen as you dive notorious vindaloo, it’s time to
headlong into your own nightmare and face your fears. It’s all about the
come up claiming, “that’s better” while flavour here – not just the heat!
holding back the tears and sweating like
you’ve got a fever. Cons: On this occasion, it took a
while to get to us. Like an hour.
Truth is, we all do like our curry pretty
hot these days. It always spices up the Pros: Cairns’ newest curry house.
night and makes for a funny story. And Just what the Edge Hill dining
our rudeness is forgiven when we explain precinct needed.
the joke to the staff (and leave a nice tip!).
Spicy Bite beef vindaloo

Cairns Museum

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new these holidays

Five galleries | Local guides
Family fun activity trails
10am - 4pm Mon to Sat cairnsmuseum.org.au

56 • Tropic • Issue 33