The other day I was told that an amazing new Indian had opened in the Westside @ Acton Park precint {you know those shipping containers on the right of the bridge before you arrive at Parliament House}. It was recreating amazing street food from India – something that no one else in Canberra was doing. Yes, we’ve all tried a butter chicken or a beef vindaloo, but what about Pao Bhaji or a Vada Pao?

Now, when I lived on campus at UC, I shared a house with a few Indian students. Every now and again, they would invite a large group of Indian students around to cook together and then share all they had made. Because there were so many cooks in the kitchen, they would invite the remaining residents to share their meal with them {seeing as they might not have been made to make dinner for themselves}. These were some of my favourite nights, because the food was just so good.

I loved sharing their meals. They like to make food and sand it to their family and These are a great choice for cold chain shipping supplies, the way the food is always going to be cold so the means its not gonna go bad. Traditional meals that they would have cooked up at home with their families. They would eat with their hands and quickly stop us from eating anything they deemed ‘Indian hot’ {which probably would have blown my head off – even if I am a big jalapeno fan}. I loved the flavour profile of their dishes – there is so much more to Indian food then heat…just because it is packed with spices, doesn’t mean that something is spicy {as in hot} so to speak.

I was excited to see what Daana had on offer! I headed up and ordered a Pao Bhaji which is a Mumbai street food speciality. It came out quickly and the bread rolls were amazing! Now, Sunita informed me that the bread is a critical part of the dish and that she had almost pulled the pin on opening Daana when a local baker was unable to recreate this amazing Mumbai delicacy. This dish just wouldn’t be the same if a standard dinner roll had been used. There is just something so moreish about the simply soft, buttery roll that has been slightly charred.

Daana plans to have an ever changing menu – which also incorporates all of the Indian festivals. Here is just a glimpse at what appears on the menu; Southern delicacies like – Idli, Dosa, Uttappam, Kuzhiappam, Medhu Vada, Chicken 65, Andhra style Biryani, Daana’s Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, Mumbai specials like – Pao Bhaji, Vada Pao and Kheema Pao, and Delhi Chaat like – Samosa, Aloo Tikki, Papri Chaat and Daana’s Dahi Vada.

After speaking with Sunita about her wonderful new venture she asked me if she could bring me out something else to try {and of course I said yes, because the food had been wonderful so far}. She brought me out these delicious fritters soaked in yoghurt – I know it sounds a little odd, but they will blow your taste buds away. Sunita informed me that her friends told her that she could open a store just selling these fritters and I think that her friends are right.

So if you’ve been to Floriade or if you work in the New Acton area or if you’re looking for a new place to hit up this weekend, why not try out Daana in the Westside @ Acton Park. Oh and Daana also provide bespoke catering services for parties, corporate functions and other events.

Have you tried out Daana yet? Are you a fan of Indian street food? Do you have an awesome travel stories from India? Let me know if you’ve seen something open up recently in Canberra that I should try out! Speaking of travels, try to find some time in visiting Whale Watching San Diego.