Located at 117 Christina St North (the former location of Wild Wing), Malabari Bistro is an intriguing new addition to the city’s vibrant and rapidly growing culinary scene. Specializing in authentic South Indian cuisine with a strong influence from Kerala, India, this eatery promises a gastronomic journey unlike any other within the city. Open from 6 p.m. until midnight Tuesday through Sunday, it's the perfect late-night spot for those craving fresh and flavourful Indian delicacies. Despite being in their soft-launch phase, Malabari Bistro is already making waves with its delectable offerings.
It's worth noting that the young and eager owners of Malabari Bistro already operate two successful businesses in the London area and are now expanding their culinary expertise to Sarnia.
Starters that Set the Stage
We began our culinary adventure with the Egg Baji, a deep-fried hard-boiled egg enveloped in a fragrantly spiced batter. Each bite was a delightful explosion of flavours, perfectly complemented by a slightly spicy sauce. The Baji appetizers are a must-try.
Next, we savoured the Egg Puff, a delicious puff pastry with a hard-boiled egg tucked inside. Although there were two egg dishes in what we chose, they were different enough to be enjoyable. The flaky pastry and the perfectly cooked egg made for a delightful combination, proving to be an instant favourite.
The Samosas at Malabari Bistro deserve a special mention. Known for their crispy exterior and savoury filling, samosas are a staple in Indian cuisine. The samosas here are surprisingly large,generously filled, and cooked to perfection. Unlike many others, these were moist and packed full with spices and flavour, making them hands down the best samosas we’ve have had in years.
Main Courses that Transport You to Kerala
Moving on to the main courses, the Masala Dosa was an absolute delight. For those unfamiliar, a dosa is a thin, crispy pancake made from fermented rice and lentil batter. It’s typically filled with a spicy potato mixture and served with chutneys and sambar, a flavourful lentil soup. The dosa here was cooked perfectly, with a crispy exterior and a warm, savoury filling. It was served with a mild, cold, white coconut chutney and a more robust hot, chunky lentil sambar, offering a balanced taste experience.
The drinks at Malabari Bistro are worth writing home about. We tried the Mango Pineapple Kulukki and the Litchi Kulukki. Kulukki, a popular drink in Kerala, is made with freshly squeezed juice and Sabja seeds (basil seeds). These drinks were refreshing and bursting with natural flavours, making them a perfect accompaniment to the spicy dishes
An extensive list of authentic chai teas and other popular Indian beverages is also available, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Succulent Chicken and Savoury Beef
The Chicken Peratti was a standout dish. This dry chicken curry involves slow-cooking chicken pieces, bone-in, in a dry red chili paste base. The result is tender, succulent chicken with a rich, intense flavour. Each bite was a testament to the traditional cooking methods and the quality of ingredients used.
However, the absolute winner of the show was the Beef Roast. This Kerala-style slow roast beef is unbelievably good. The beef is slow-cooked with a blend of spices until it’s tender and dripping in its own flavour. Our favourite part was pairing it with the Chappathi bread, a traditional Indian flatbread. The Chappathi here is extra special, being flakier and more like a pull-apart pastry, and made right in-house. Scooping up the beef roast with the Chappathi bread was a delightful experience. For anyone unsure of trying Malabari for the first time, we highly suggest the combination of Beef Roast with Chappathi bread, perhaps with a side of rice.
A Taste of Tradition
We also tried the Kappa, a dish similar to mashed potatoes but with a unique twist. Made from tapioca, Kappa is a staple in Kerala cuisine. It’s filling, delicious, and authentically prepared, making it a comforting addition to the meal. It is slightly stickier than regular potato, and we really enjoyed our first roast Kappa experience.
Finally, we had the Malabari Mutton Biriyani. This dish was a large serving of fragrant short-grain rice cooked with tender mutton and aromatic spices. The flavours were well-balanced, and it didn’t require anything else to be a complete and satisfying meal.
Service and Ambiance
The service at Malabari Bistro was friendly and attentive, though it’s evident they are still ironing out some kinks before their grand opening. We learned that they are currently only using the back of the building to seat guests but have plans to expand once everything is in order. This gives a sense of anticipation for what’s to come, as the restaurant evolves into its full potential. Downtown is quickly becoming an ethnic food hub, and Malabari is a very exciting addition to the scene.
Final Thoughts
Malabari Bistro is an absolute treat for anyone looking to explore authentic South Indian cuisine in Sarnia. Despite being in the soft launch phase, the quality of food and the dedication to authenticity shine through. Each dish tells a story of Kerala’s rich culinary heritage, making for a memorable dining experience. We were encouraged to eat with our hands in order to experience the food with all of the senses, and we think this is something everyone should try while there too! We can’t wait to see how this restaurant grows and evolves, but for now, it’s already a gem in the heart of Sarnia.