Coda team brings Melbourne the Indian restaurant it deserves

Is Melbourne finally to get the Indian restaurant it deserves? Coda team Adam d'Sylva, Mykal and Kate Bartholomew have turned their attention to the subcontinent with their new city restaurant, Tonka, which opened on Friday night. The 100-seater, with a front bar for 30 and dining room for up to 70, is on Duckboard Place in the space that was, for many years, the popular nightclub Honky Tonks. The menu, initially planned as being Malaysian, Sri Lankan and Indian, ''has evolved and landed in India, which we're thrilled about'', Kate Bartholomew says. ''The dream was always to focus on Indian food and we've done it, with some Asian brush strokes.'' Chef d'Sylva said last week he was thrilled with the work of tandoori chef Sundar Singh. ''We have two roaring hot ovens and he has been cooking some great naan and meats out of them in our menu tastings.'' Tonka is open for dinner Monday to Saturday with plans to open for lunch in a few weeks.

Hilary McNevin