Avalon Restaurant: Indian Curry Nights and More
Avalon lobby bar
In Bansko there are plenty of restaurants that offer traditional Bulgarian food. There are also Italian, Japanese, Thai, Mexican and Chinese restaurants. I love variation in my eating out and there’s one place I can recommend trying in Bansko: a curry night at the Avalon restaurant, in the Avalon hotel.
But before I talk curry, it’s worth considering that on Monday evenings, at the Avalon, there is the supper club. An evening of wine tasting and 3 courses of French food for 45 leva per person. Their selection of red, rose´ and white wines are from a quality Bulgarian wine producer. A three course dinner (e.g. salad, Bulgarian duck and pudding) and over one bottle of wine per person for 45 leva…
…this is epic value for money.
Curry nights
Curry Night at the Avalon
On Thursdays and Friday evenings, from 7pm, are the Avalon curry nights. It’s a buffet of Indian food for 35 leva per person.
The curry nights are a celebration of food from the Indian subcontinent. The recipes have been collected, by James Hughes chef and owner, for years — from everywhere between Kabul and Trincomalee.
James’s says his secret is that he focuses on marinades and dry spices accompanied with plenty of naan from the tandoor. But what I do know, is that you’ll find rich, heavily spiced sauces, for their north Indian curries and some light aromatic spices for their Afghani grills.
In case you’re a Bansko regular it’s worth nothing that James changes the curry menu weekly, depending on what they is looking good at the market.
Indian cooking at the Avalon
The usual start of the evening is with a selection of Indian street food such as Samosa, Bhaji, Sukuti and Papad. There’s also have a good selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Curry nights are served in a Sri Lankan style buffet. It’s an informal, and relaxed, affair.
Meat dishes
restaurant Avalon
- Korma; chicken mildly spiced with mint and Korma paste.
- Kashmiri; pork with a rich Kashmiri blend of spices and a kick of chilli.
- Afghani style chicken thighs with lemon cardamom and black pepper – mild and aromatic.
- Tika; classic chicken Tikka marinated in punjabi spices then finished in a yoghurt and tomato sauce.
- Tandoori chicken; simply marinated in a dry rub of Punjabi spice and then ferociously baked in the tandoor.
- Balti; chicken with red peppers and tamarind
- Raita and minted yoghurt, mango chutney, lime pickle, pilau rice and lots and lots of Naan.
Vegan options
Avalon curry nights: Thursday and Fridays
- Dal, Samosa and Bhaji
- Aubergine in madras spices with a sprinkle of brown sugar.
- Cauliflower and onions in a cumin and coriander seed paste.
- Red onion salad with coriander
