Over the past couple of years, state borders have swung shut more times than the phrase “new variant” has been uttered. So it makes sense that, despite the current (relatively stable) border situation between NSW and Victoria, it’s been a long time between visits to Melbourne’s buzzing restaurants. But now, in good news for tastebuds north of Albury-Wodonga, top Melbourne restaurant Maha has announced it’s joining Providoor in NSW and the ACT.
The elegant Middle Eastern restaurant is the flagship eatery of chef and TV host Shane Delia – who also founded Providoor, the finish-at-home delivery service that has helped dozens of restaurants continue operating during the pandemic. In Sydney, the platform gave punters the chance to dine on the likes of Lankan Filling Station, Ho Jiak and Chiswick during lockdown. Post-lockdown it’s a fantastic shortcut for when you’re on dinner-party hosting duties.
Maha’s à la carte Providoor menu highlights the flavours and ingredients the diner is known for, including tahini, nuts, saffron and preserved lemon.
There’s prawns baked in kataifi (“string” pastry) with honey, toasted fennel and Aleppo pepper dressing; beef kofta with a smoky eggplant tagine and barley; Turkish beef dumplings (manti) doused in spiced butter and yoghurt, and poached ocean trout served with tahini, pistachio and a walnut tabbouleh.
Vegetarians can feast on a show-stopping roasted cauliflower with ras el hanout and a garlic yoghurt, or dips such as smoked hummus and muhammarra (capsicum and walnut dip). For dessert? A pretty white chocolate rice pudding with poached strawberries, pomegranate and rosewater, or chocolate mousse with a tahini caramel.
Maha’s menu is available for delivery from Thursday to Sunday – and if you order by 4pm you’ll get next-day delivery. Orders open December 8, with first delivery available on December 16.
