Shompen Dining Room

Named after the indigenous people in Great Nicobar Island (Southern India), Shompen Dining Room draws inspiration from the island's mixture of cultures and influences from its surrounding continents including Africa, Europe and India.

Head Chef and Owner Vikram Kotamraju is a traveller, entrepreneur, pioneer and taste explorer. Drawing from his travels, adventures and experiences in every plate, a piece of his story is told with every flavour. The result is Indian cuisine with interesting twists and turns prepared with care. 

Our evening commenced with the Oysters trilogy - an enlivening start! First the "Pani puri oyster" served with a spiced, tangy, flavoured aromatic water with ingredients such as ginger, garlic, coriander, mint, cumin, black salt, green chilli, black pepper and lemon juice. Then the "Lentils oyster" served with a lentils base vegetable broth. This was blended with a selection of masalas and curry leaves, potato, carrot and ginger. Last but not least, the "Rasam oyster" served with a spicy juice, prepared using tamarind juice as a base with addition of tomato, chilli, cumin, pepper and other spices and seasonings.

For entrée, the Smoked Silk Chicken was a beautiful re-interpretation of the traditional chicken tandoor. The chicken was marinated with sprinkles of mace and fenugreek powder, almond gravy and spices, and aromatic courtesy of being smoked with pecan wood. 

For mains the Tasmanian Salmon was lovely. Inspired by the Monet Garden, the salmon is secretly located in the middle of a potato ring, on top of pea pure, cover with herbs, flowers and other greens. We loved the melt in your mouth salmon that was rolled with fresh coriander, dill, mint and a touch of anise seed and ginger. 

For a heartier main, the Madras-style Beef certainly hits the spot. The beef short rib had been patiently slow cooked with a blend of Southern Indian spices and was accompanied with a fresh fennel, orange and coconut salad - perfect to add freshness to the relatively rich curry.

Our evening concluded on a high with dessert. We loved the winter melon mille-feuille. Think crumbly pastry layered with beautifully spiced and sweetened winter melon. Interesting and delicious!

Shompen Dining Room is certainly an interesting addition to Carlton's colourful dining scene. 

Location: 401 Rathdowne Street, Carlton
Phone: 03 9347 0308
Link: www.shompen.com.au