Bhojan on Leaf.

Recently CAT and friends visited Banana Leaf @ RCity - Ghatkopar (w). CAT felt proud to see the way Indian traditional food is glamoured over here.
One must visit this place for basic reasons -
. understand the huge variety available in Idli and Dosa ... and this variety crosses the boundaries of pav bhaji dosa / shejvan dosa, etc.
. enjoy the traditional cuisine - apart from idli and dosa.
. for a learning - why food is tradition: how rice as a basic content can be served with vast variety with brain and spices.

So here is how the journey went ...
We wondered what to order, probaly as none of us could gather what is starter and what is main course. But then the staff is just well trained for customers like us - they guided us properly. We enjoyed coorg idli, mango drink varieties and dahi vada as starter. Coorg idli is tomato puree based idli starter.

But then, the real master starter came to serve the taste-buds ... Dakshin Masala idli. This is a creamy  coconut masala based idli starter - unique look, unique presentation and amazing taste .. full credit to the chef and definitely it deserves to be one of the 'special' dish on the Banana Leaf serving.

Dakshin Masala Idli

CAT long back had 'appam with veg stew as main course...a friend of mine made me taste it in Chennai ... "this dish belongs to Kerala", he was proud while I liked that dish. Most of the time, we end up having fiery red and mustard based curry even if it is Kerala veg stew ... this has fortunately changed at Banana Leaf.

 
The white colour curry made in real coconut milk ... hmmmm just yummy. Veg stew goes very well with appam (Palappam) or puttu. Making good appam is an art and you can see and even taste it here.
Every dish was enjoyed with variety of Chutney and Sambar - The chutney and sambar are worth mentioning ... as even these preserve real taste of coconut and aroma of magic sambar masala.

The great journey ended on a sweet note with gadbad ice cream, the well known glass form of gadbad is represented horizontally on banana leaf. Still when you call it gadbad, it becomes different than Sunday :).

The interior, the hand towels, spoons, the Lord Ganesha idol - everything takes you to the south indian traditional world and then the food takes you away from everything... to the different world. Unlike many theme restaurents, Bana Leaf has not failed in the most important aspect - i.e. to maintain the genuine taste.

To know more on banana leaf - please check the link. This chain is a "Foodie-CAT recommendation" . CAT is happy to shout "Miyaon" here.

Enjoy Food
Miyon.

Kamath's - the magical experience

CAT was riding from Bangalore to Mysore. It would have been the waste of time and journey had CAT not visited - Kamath's world - Kamath Lokaruchi.

It is not yet another south Indian restaurant .. it is the real drive-in place. Ample of land, different huts serving different menu, greenery, traditionally dressed staff - takes out all your driving stress and the food of course refreshes you.

Landscape

The route to Kamat

Tatte Idli

The most popular dishes over here are breakfast and snack dishes, that is what CAT gathered from the frequent travelers. Probably management knows this and hence they have launched breakfast buffet. à la carte or buffet - CAT recommends that definitely have more than two dishes. Tatte idli (Idli wrapped in leaves), rava idli, Jolada roti meal, masala dosa and of course Coffee are generally preferred by the visitors.

The place is also famous for lunch and dinner - kannadiga meal and north kannda dishes are worth mentioning here.

Apart from food - this being drive-in restaurant the rest rooms are kept neat, ample parking space is made available, also shopping and entertainment provisions are made. CAT enjoyed the theme of this place and of course the food that is served. So CAT is happy to shout Miyon for Kamath Lokaruchi.

Staff

Drive - go with empty tummy and big heart ...  leave the rest to Kamath Lokaruchi,
Miyon.

Dhaba da majja

CAT visited Pratap's The Dhaba @ Oshiwara recently. This is yet another just perfect outlet for family, friend and office parties. The interior and outside arrangement both give you excellent ambiance. Lanterns, Matki, Charpoy, statues all take you to fields of Punjab.

 

CAT prefers Paneer Achari Tikky, Tandoor Bharvan aaloo, dal makhani, Makki di roti and Namak Ajwain di roti here. Everything maintains it pure taste, no additional and heavy flavors that unnecessarily put us in confusion. e.g. Achari tikky tastes like achari and not just yet another red thick gravy marinated.

Special mention - the crushed onion with special masala is a great biting. White makkhan will definitely remind you of your grandmother ... Indian food tastes the best with white makkhan and not Butter. CAT bets that not many places would serve you better punjabi paneer dishes than what you get at The Dhaba ... it really melts in your mouth.
When ordering do not rush, get the feel by ordering two dishes - enjoy them and then think about other dishes. The quantity and richness in the dishes might be a bit heavy than punjabi food from other places.

Vodka Pani puri is another famous dish over here. For non vegetarian, sarson da murg, chicken dhaniya adraki, chicken bawarchi de pasand are some famous dishes.

To end your fabulous experience do not forget Jilebi with rabdi and "Pan Shot" ... you will get few more extra pan shots if you want.

Quality, quantity, service, flavor, aroma and hygiene all without disturbing the quality - is what CAT's opinion about The Dhaba. Though bit heavy on pocket, it is good and worth to splurge once just for the experience that The Dhaba gives you.  CAT recommends this place and is happy to shout 'Miyon' here.

Chak de The Dhaba
Miyon.