Lunch at Inka
Bunda Street, Civic
September, 2023
Apologies for disappearing for nearly a year, faithful readers! Life happened and then it happened again a few times, just to make certain I was paying attention.
Yet, thanks to Harper and Lindsay we have commenced again. There are a few random recipes to come. Stay tuned to find out if the cook book shelf changes (aside from new books).
We had the time; we had the inclination. Until now, I have never encountered fusion with Peruvian food but Lindsay alerted us that there is Inka. Japanese and Peruvian fusion!
Looking at the menu before we booked, there was some hesitancy. Any one who has read more than one of these blog entries might have obtained the idea, I, Jamie am a fussy eater. If so, you would be correct. Lindsay felt concerned at the cost. Harper was disinterested in sushi in Civic due to the number and variety of venues which serve this. After discussion we found dishes which appealed to Jamie’s fussiness and Harpers disinterest but Lindsay’s wallet “quailed in fear.”
The décor of Inka is interesting. Brightly woven hangings, statues and other objects indicate part of the influence of the cuisine. The tables are a little too close together, unfortunately, but not quite as close as in Sammy’s. Both Lindsay and Jamie found it so close they was practically part of the conversation of the other table.
The menu is varied and the ingredients are listed but even so, some of the items we ordered were surprising. In addition, due to the lighting and the colour of the print it is hard to read the menu.
The menu is varied and the ingredients are listed but even so, some of the items we ordered were surprising. In addition, due to the lighting and the colour of the print it is hard to read the menu.
For the Start and Share we chose Guacamole served with Plantain Chips $18.00, Nosu Dengaku (Fried Eggplant with Yuzu, Miso, Jalapeno and Mixed nuts) $16.00, Prawn Taco (Yuzu Kosho Mayo, Jalapeno Salsa, Coriander) $16.00 for Harper and Lindsay.
We agreed that it was the most expensive Guacamole we had ever ordered, but it was also the best. The mixture of avocado, tomato, spices and other ingredients was surprising and the plantain chips provided a wonderful method of conveying the guacamole to the mouth.
The Nasu Dengaku surprised us. The jalapeno was present, but not overpowering and the yuzu and miso did not suppress the flavour of the eggplant, plus the crunch of the nuts added a contrasting texture. It was the highlight of the meal and made us wish we had ordered two of them. We were polite and shared, but Jamie wanted to eat all of it.
Harper fondly mentioned the Prawn Taco and expressed a wish to return in order to eat the tacos again. The taco shell was similar to a rice/prawn cracker which made a satisfying crunch. It was a complex dish and it is hard to describe the flavours as they complemented each other but each ingredient had it’s own time in the spotlight. Lindsay wishes to eat it again.
We then chose the Potato Crisp Huancaino (Crispy Potato Bites served with creamy Peruvian Yellow Pepper sauce) $16.00 and Josper Zucchini (Zucchini, Lemon, Miso, Dill) $18.00. To accompany this the Charcoal Grill tempted us with Tori Menen iku (Corn fed Chicken Breast, Yakitori Glaze Nikkei Verde) $38.00 and Wagyu Sirloin 250g (Chimichurri, Yankinku) $100.
When they all arrived, the table was crowded. I had hoped the Potato Crisp would fulfil the promise of the crispy, but while parts of it were, most had become a little soggy and stuck together because of the sauce. The sauce did not present much contrast to the potato and instead we dipped the potato into the other sauces which made it a much more interesting. (Jamie recommends dipping it into the sauce which accompanies the chicken or the chimichurri sauce on the steak.) It was not memorable.
The Josper Zucchini refreshed the palate and made a wonderful accompaniment to the two meat dishes. Would eat again. The lemon and dill melded into one of the most refreshing flavours Lindsay and Jamie have ever eaten.
It was a new experience to eat the Tori Menen as the chicken was very tender and while the sauce was understated, it was comforting and tasty. The Wagyu Sirloin was pleasant but was not as impressive as the vegetable dishes we ate. The steak was very tasty but overpowered some of the sauces including the chimichurri. Lindsay was unimpressed with the chimichurri until eaten with the potato which was a flavour explosion and wished that combination was on the menu.
Our server was very good and checked with the kitchen regarding some of the ingredients suggesting alternatives for dietary restrictions. These suggestions which were well-informed.
Did we clean the plates? All but the potato crisp as we ran out of chimichurri.
Would we return? Definitely!
Lindsay scores: 4/5
Seating, potatoes, price, (and there are only two steaks on the menu, the cheapest was $100.00) were the downsides to the otherwise amazing meal.
Harper: 4/5
Difficulty in reading the menu and proximity of other diners were the drawbacks. The Prawn Taco was the best.
Jamie: 4/5
Seating, text colour on menu, format did not impress while most of the food did.
Overall
As may be noted from above, seating could be improved, the menu could be easier to read but the food was exceptional. Next time we will choose the dishes we really enjoyed on this occasion. (Separate eggplant dish for each person?)
Overall Score: 4/5
Clean the Plate 