Sitar: For genuine Indian delights

Perfectionists, as a preliminary, will fry a dry red chilli and a clove of garlic in hot oil, before adding finely sliced onions, browning them and continuing with the process.
More gung ho cooks are happy to chop their onions roughly and put everything into the saucepan at the same time. But regardless of how much you enjoy creating a unique chicken curry or Zim-style biriyani, it is always a pleasure to visit an Indian restaurant and indulge in genuine eastern delights.
The Sitar Restaurant in Newlands opened twenty five years ago, and has always had a dedicated clientele, in spite of the power cuts and water shortages affecting business over the last few years.
Recently, George and I were speeding down the Newlands bypass towards lunchtime and turned off into the Newlands Shopping Centre. Apart from TM supermarket and the busy Thai takeaway, Pad Thai, most places were closed.
Everything looked slightly seedy and had the air of an abandoned settlement after the Californian gold rush.
A sign on the Sitar’s closed door directed us to new premises, a mere hope, skip and a jump away, in Cecil Rhodes Drive.
We drove past the dusty vlei, where the faithful, clad in spotless white robes, were gathered in groups for church service. Approaching the large wrought-iron gate of 2 Cecil Rhodes, we hooted once, and were admitted to a brick-paved car park, surrounded by mango trees in full bloom.
An old house has been restored to house the new Sitar. On a hot summer’s day, the cool tiled floor is welcoming. The jade green and cream coloured walls, with peach detail beneath Indian style arches, are attractive.
Statues of Indian deities and a shiny picture of a stylish Indian couple dancing and having a good time, decorate the walls. At an intimate bar area in the far corner, some couples were having a pre-lunch drink. George and I looked around, and then made our own way to a sunny table near the window.
The attractive wooden tables and chairs are well made and comfortable, and yellow tablecloths with green and dusty blue overlays blend with the exotic wall colours. Leaving his other guests, Kiran, the owner of the Sitar, came to take our order.
For starters, we chose onion ring bhajias and chicken tikka. The spicy grilled cubes of chicken were particularly tasty. I chose lamb curry with basmati rice as a main course, and George chose mattar panir, a pungent yet creamy curry of homemade cheese and peas.
We shared two roti (Indian bread) and a vegetable paratha, a dish popular with Sitar’s vegetarian customers. These were served with kachoomer (chopped tomato and onion), yogurt, pickled cabbage and poppadums. For pudding we had kulfi (Indian ice cream) and gulab jamuns (sugary dessert similar to koek sisters.)
Including two beers and a campari and soda, our bill was US$38. At one time, Sitar was offering a three-course meal for US$10, but now offers an overall twenty per cent discount. Visitors to the new Sitar will enjoy the secure and spacious car park, and will be relieved at not having to deal with hustlers and vendors on the pavement outside the former premises.

The Sitar Restaurant
2 Cecil Rhodes Drive
Newlands
Tel: 290 6169
Cell: 0913 043 859
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