Consistency Brings Success for Experienced Restaurateur: NorWest 12/5/2010
Since experienced restaurateur Amardeep Singh opened his first Indian restaurant, Corianders, in Rolleston some four years ago, it has proved a huge success.
That prompted him to open a second Corianders in the Edgeware Village last year. However, he was told that with more than 20 Indian restaurants in Christchurch already there was too much competition, and it wouldn’t be as successful as the Rolleston Corianders. It is. Offering the same quality food and excellent service, the restaurant, which is located on the corner of Sherborne Street and Edgeware Road, is regularly booked up right throughout the week. So now a third Corianders is opening in Hanmer.
“What makes Corianders a success is the consistency,” says Amar. “We have systems in place for the chefs, and they are trained for six months to make sure they are familiar with the dishes and the cooking style. The flavours of our food are authentic and we have created many of the dishes so they are different from any you would find either in India, or in other restaurants here. “For example, we marinate our chicken in special spices overnight then cook it in the tandoor oven. To serve it we cut it into pieces and put it into the gravy. Doing it like that means the chicken is really tender.”
Other signature dishes at Corianders include Lamb Posht, a delectable dish featuring tender cubes of lamb sautéed in onion, garlic, ginger, with fresh tomato and coriander, then cooked with roasted poppy seed and spices. It is also available with chicken. Bal Dansak Chicken features various lentils simmered with marinated chicken on a slow fire and tempered with onion, ginger, garlic and spices. “We have had many people from India dining at our restaurants, even Bollywood actors and cricketers, and they have all been very impressed. They say they haven’t tasted food like it and I should open a restaurant in India,” Amar says with a chuckle.
With more than 20 years’ hospitality experience behind him, both in India and New Zealand, Amar is thrilled to offer customers his distinctive Indian cuisine at Corianders. “ I a m v e r y exc i t e d about the new Hanmer Corianders and I believe it will be popular because there are many people from Christchurch and tourists from around New Zealand and overseas who go there for the hot pools and skiing and will enjoy a curry in the evening.” Corianders offers a children’s menu, and has also just introduced a special $10 lunch deal. This includes butter chicken, rice and naan bread, a tasty lunch for cooler days.
For contact numbers to book, refer to the contact page.
