Kelowna’s coolest Indian Restaurant just keeps dishing out the fun — with tasty events and new menu items.
I recently had a chat with Aman Dosanj, brand and marketing manager and part of the Dosanj family-run business Poppadom’s. Aman had just returned from a visit to her former home, London, England, where she submerged herself in the local foodie scene both for fun and research. And what a trip she had — from attending master cooking classes with chef Vivek Singh through his famed Michelin-starred restaurant The Cinnamon Club, onto another class at Jamie Oliver’s new digs Recipease, to becoming a zookeeper for the day through a special program at the London Zoo.
Obviously inspired by her trip, Poppadom’s has released an amazing array of events and activities for the Indian foodie as well as catering to her British roots. Aman’s goal is to bring both Indian food lovers and those who may have misconstrued their image of what Indian food can offer. She says she wants to “show people that Indian food isn’t necessarily super hot or just (a variation) of the same sauces”. After being open for two years now, Aman also says they have honed their food philosophy to include local flavours and are using many local ingredients.
Poppadom’s Taste India! event on Mother’s Day sounds like a food lover’s dream — and, if you have a sari, here’s your chance to wear it. Football (soccer) lovers and expats will love that Poppadom’s will be broadcasting the matches for the Euro Championships — with appropriate British knosh and beer to enjoy as well.
And then there is the fabulous Indianized cocktail menu that Aman’s brother, mixologist Harry, has come up with. The cocktail list includes the following delicious creations: Gindian: classic gin and tonic with star anise. Manglore: with Indian-spiced vodka and fresh muddled berries. Mojito: a twist on the original mojito with ginger, lychee and fresh mint.
Upcoming Events:
Okanagan Spring Wine Festival:
May 6: Gourmet & Grapes event at Cabana Grille.
May 12: WAM, Wine, Art, Music — a celebration of award winning wines, artists at work, dynamic music and burlesque, all in the unique setting of the Rotary Centre for the Arts.
May 13: Taste India! The set seven-course tasting event will take you from region to region in India, so you can eat your way around India and learn about different culinary styles and tastes. Each food course will be paired with a sample Okanagan wine. The night will also include a performance by a classically Indian trained dancer. A bit of wine and spice. Tickets are $75 per person.
June 1 – July 1:
Euro Championships 2012
9 a.m. games: serving an “Indglish” breakfast (a little bit English and little bit Indian). Instead of bacon butties, they have bacon naans, plus a full English, a new breakfast lassi and homemade masala tea. 11:45 games: curry and chips, plus a Brit-friendly menu (with all the faves). And beer on sale too.
Jennifer Schell is the editor of B.C. Food and Wine Trails magazine.