SLN Hotel/Mudanna Hotel: A review

A review of SLN Hotel/Mudanna Hotel by Rakshith Pai

Location: #45/2, Sunkalpet Main Road, Bengaluru 560 002, near Sharada Cinemas.

SLN Hotel, named after Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is located in the inner realms of old Bengaluru at Cubbonpete, and is also commonly known as Mudanna Hotel. The name comes from the founder of the place, Mr. Mudanna, who started this Pure Veg establishment in the year 1968, around 50m from the present restaurant. Around 5 decades later, Mudanna’s sons and grandsons have upheld the same tradition and taste of the restaurant with its pocket friendly prices and the impeccable taste that makes you go for seconds in no time. The present shop is run by the third generation family members, with ‘branches’ being handled by brothers and relatives from as close as 100m away, up till Gandhi Bazaar, Basavangudi.

One would never see this place empty, with people from all walks of life indulging in breakfast and lunch from as early as 7:00 AM till 3:00 PM on weekdays, and from 7:00 AM till 1:00 PM on Sundays. The highlight of this place is the ‘Pulav’ (and this is not the same as the North Indian variant of ‘Pulao’), which is again widely known as Mudanna Pulav. Served piping hot on a banana leaf and a paper plate, the Pulav is served with chutney which tastes amazing and a delight to the tastebuds. One could say that you may forget your Dum Biryani after having a bite of this Pulav. Though the Pulav is their signature dish, they also serve the famous Acrey Idli (Idlis that are bigger than Thatte Idlis), Dosas, Lemon Rice (Chithranna), Tamarind Rice (Puliogare) and Curd Rice. To top it all, they also provide combos which go by famous Rajkumar Movies like Shankarguru (Two Items), Trimurthy (Three Items) and Chaturmukha(Four Items), for those who wish to have a bite of all the items in store. Being a family establishment, the food tastes home-made and warms not only your belly, but also your soul. The ambience is not the best out there, with primary seating in benches (if you get a seat that is) and crowds through the day, but we assure you that the food makes up for it. What is also unique, and probably a signature system they follow is their manner of parcelling, where the items are wrapped in cones and given for you to savour on-the-go.

Price: The Rice Dishes are all priced at Rs. 40 for a plate of heavenly goodness, and the combos range from Rs. 40 to Rs. 55. One can get a half plate of rice for as low as Rs. 30 as well, but we bet you wouldn’t stop at half. The Idlis and Dosas also range from Rs. 30 to Rs. 40. Children under the age of 15, and Senior-Citizens above the age of 60 are served freshly made rice items for as low as Rs. 15 (This Scheme was started by Mr. Mudanna, who was originally giving food for free to Children and Senior Citizens.)

Overall Verdict: The place is MUST VISIT for people who love a good rice dish, and for people who wish to savour the true taste of old Bengaluru. Though this place might not get the same hype or fame as that of CTR, Vidyarthi Bhavan or Veena Stores, we assure you that this would surely be your weekend breakfast ritual in no time.

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Rakshith Pai is a food enthusiast who believes that one must judge a place by the street food it serves.

Sri Ganesh Bombay Vada Pav Corner: A review

A review of Sri Ganesh Bombay Vada Pav Corner by Vidur Nair

Location: #27, 1, 1st Main Rd, Jai Bheema Nagar, Seshadripuram, Bengaluru. Quite close to Swastik Junction on Seshadripuram main road.

Sri Ganesh Bombay Vada Pav Corner is located in the Heart of Bangalore, on the busy Seshadripuram main road. It appears to be well patronised as there is always a crowd of hungry patrons and delivery men waiting inside. The location is perfect, in the heart of the City, accessible to college students of the nearby Seshadripuram College and close to several offices, including probably half of Bangalore’s Advocate community.

Fast food snacks are its forte and everything is reasonably priced. The Butter Vada Pav and Butter Dabeli are extremely popular and reasonably priced at 35 and 40 respectively. Butter Dabeli is the right combination of sweet and savory and goes well with the chili provided. It is hard to stop at eating just one dabeli. Non butter options are also available, but everything tastes better with Butter !! The food is fresh and handed over to hungry patents in under a minute. The samosa priced at Rs. 15 is also reasonably good. The peri peri fries priced at Rs.70 take slightly longer to prepare, but is well worth the wait. Cool drinks are also available if one finds the fries or snacks too spicy.

Overall it is an exciting option for snacks and light eats and is centrally located and with the rising popularity of food delivery apps can be ordered from any part of the city.

Menu

Preparation Station and Menu

Butter Dabeli

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Vidur Nair is a newbie Advocate , who is always on the look out for tasty and affordable food.

Donne Biryani house: A review

A review of Donne Biryani House, Bangalore by Nikilesh P

Location- Dr Rajkumar Road, Rajajinagar, Bangalore, near Bashyam Circle.
Bus Routes No. 63 and 79 from Shivaji Nagar Bus Station

This hotel is located near Bashyam Circle. As the name suggests it is a place for Authentic Donne Biryani. The hotel not only caters to the non vegetarian crowd but also the vegetarian crowd. The hotel has a good ambience with dull lustre of wood, which looks even better in the evening. It is divided into two floors, the ground floor being a takeaway and the upper floor being a dine-in area. The hotel is open on all days.

Now speaking the dishes we devoured,the chicken biryani truly stands out it has the right mixture of spices add to it, with a tinge of pepper. The kebab was cooked well and the lime pieces made it taste even better. The garlic chicken was fairly spicy and made a scrumptious side dish with biryani.

Overall this is a good place to eat. But the restaurant will have to improve on few parameters like service and cleaniness. If you are a person who enjoys traditional authentic food then Donne Biryani house should be a place to visit .

 

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Nikilesh P believes that the best way to reach a person’s heart is through tummy.

Hotel Raghavendra Bhavan, Anekal: A Review

A review of Hotel Raghavendra Bhavan, Anekal by Vidur Nair

Location:Near Chowrareddy Circle Bus stop, Anekal Town (You may need to re-check on Google Maps)

Raghavaendra Bhavan is located in the Heart of Anekal town, on the main Chandapura Anekal Road. It appears to be one of the best known restaurants in Anekal. The location is perfect, being at the junction of the road from Chandapura(Bangalore), very close to the Attibele Road,the vegetable market and within walking distance from the Anekal Court complex, which makes it accessible to everyone including Hungry Litigants and their lawyers!!

The restaurant serves ‘tiffen items’ even after noon. The food is fresh and seems to be cooked over a stove powered by fire wood. The Masala Dosa is quite delicious and is at par, if not better than the Dosas available in Bangalore and is priced at Rs. 35. The restaurant makes a wide variety of sweet dishes and savoury mixtures as well as the usual South Indian fare. The Jalebi seems especially good as compared to most other restaurants.
The service is fairly efficient, with dhoti clad waiters hurrying around with stacks of Dosas.

Overall Hotel Raghavendra Bhavan appears to be one of the best culinary options in Anekal because of its location, tasty food and pocket friendliness.

Entrance to the Hotel

Masala Dosa

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Vidur Nair is a newbie Advocate , who is always on the look out for tasty and affordable food.

Dhanalakshmi Tiffen Room: A Review

A review of Dhanalakshmi Tiffen Room, Bangalore by Vidur Nair

Location-Off M.G.Road , Near Anil Kumbe Circle (Near Maserati Showroom)
Phone-25559388

Dhanalakshmi Tiffen Room is located on the busy M.G. Road, yet far away from the maddening Crowd. It is located in an alley way off M.G.Road, which is quite hard to find, unless one is in the know of things. Alternatively one may enter through the kitchens of Sheesh Mahal Restaurant on Church Street.

The restaurant is a lunch-only establishment, which I am told is open only at lunch time from Monday to Saturday, and is quite popular with the office crowd. Ordering one’s lunch can be done without too much thought as the only item served is the Limited South Indian Thali.

The Thali is  wholesome and filling .The Thali starts off with Poori and Potato palya along with a healthy quantity of rice. Other components of the thali are Sambar, Dal, Rasam,Pickle, vegetable, curd rice and a desert. All this sets one back by the sum of Rs 70.

On the whole Dhanalakshmi Tiffen Room offers filling, affordable food in the heart of the city.

Entrance to the restaurant

Thali

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Vidur Nair is a newbie Advocate , who is always on the look out for tasty and affordable food.

SGS Non-Veg Restaurant:A Review

A review of SGS Non-Veg Restaurant, Bangalore by Vidur Nair

Location- 2nd Cross,K V Temple Street Cross, Chickpete, Bangalore
Phone-9341246466

SGS Non Veg is an establishment located in the maze of streets that constitute Upparpet in Old Bangalore. As the name suggests it serves pretty much only non-veg food. It is best to go there the first time, with someone in the know of things; else one might end up hopelessly lost. Strangely Monday and Saturdays are holidays and Sunday is a half day, so one may only visit Tuesday to Friday between 10 Am to 2 Pm or pre-lunch time on Sunday.

The experience is unique as one enters through a narrow doorway and reaches a hall where the order may be placed and food collected. The Menu is simple and would not require too much thought. They offer Chicken Pulav( Donne Biryani) or leaf biryani for the princely sum of Rs 90, other than that they offer plain pulav and extra chicken pieces or an extra egg.

The Pulav/biryani is served piping hot on a leaf plate. Though take away is also possible, as they have an area for packing biryani, it is best to eat it hot. The usual “one by two” is also possible. The dining experience is unique, the system of self-service is followed and one may eat standing and resting one’s food on a small table placed at the wall or one may go upstairs through a narrow staircase and eat cross legged on the floor or eat by placing one’s leaf plate on a small projection in the wall.
The Pulav itself is delicious, with just the right amount of meat and spices .A single portion isn’t too filing, so it is common for patrons to order a second. Being the only item on the Menu, the Pulav is made extremely well. Being slightly on the spicier side, the Pulav goes well with a soft drink which can be bought and brought in from one of the neighbouring stores.
Overall SGS Non-Veg is a unique, pocket-friendly experience and one which must not be missed.

The Entrance to SGS Non Veg

Chicken Pulav

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Vidur Nair is a newbie Advocate , who is always on the look out for tasty and affordable food .

Beyond Bangalore

The vast majority of this blog features establishments which are by and large located in Bangalore. However, it was felt that this blog need not be limited to establishments only located in Bangalore but could include ‘pocket friendly’ establishments anywhere else as well. The necessity of affordable food is universal and need not be restricted to a single location.

This section of the blog would be devoted to culinary establishments located outside Bangalore.

Northern Route- A Review

A review of Northern Route, Bangalore by Abhilash V

Location- St Marks Road, Bangalore (Near House of Lords)
Phone-080 65681119

Northern Route is a small vegetarian eatery located on the ever  busy St.Marks Road. It is easily accessible to anyone who happens to be around MG Road, Brigade Road, Church Street, Mallya Road, Museum Road, Lavelle Road, Cubbon Park, Richmond Circle or Residency Road. It is renowned for its delicious,lip-smacking and homelike comfortable North Indian food. It is also highly affordable to anyone who is on a tight budget.

To begin with, the paranthas here are so tasty that any person with a heavy appetite is bound to order at least one more. With a wide variety to choose from, a plate of any two paranthas is reasonably priced at Rs. 75. They are served with butter and curd, and can also be had eaten with pickle and chutney. Their immensely palatable paneer paranthas are priced at Rs. 85 a plate. Further, their cholebhature, which anyone who visits must definitely order, are priced at Rs. 75 a plate.

For those who require a quick meal  a jhatpatkhana meal(as the name indicates) can be ordered . This comprises of two rotis and rice, along with a choice of any two of six curries, and is very affordably priced at Rs. 70. Anyone with a sweet tooth can opt for either a gulabjamun or a rasgulla, both of which are priced at Rs. 14. For beverages, one should definitely try either the lassi, priced at Rs. 35, or the chaach(buttermilk), which is very reasonably priced at Rs. 18. There is a wide array of nourishing and mouth-watering delights which cannot be missed.

However, anyone who visits this placefor lunch after 1 p.m. on a weekday “must” be prepared for a large crowd (this mob of hurried office goers can ruthlessly snatch away your seat from you). It is highly improbable to be seated without having to wait a good 10 minutes, until someone finishes after their meal. Due to the crowd, service is delayed, and one can also be rest assured that their order takes a long time to reach their table. To add to this, the place is extremely warm inside, so do not expect a good ambience.

Nevertheless, the food here is worth the wait, and one will not be disappointed. Anyone who digs in cannot keep their hands off their plate.

Sign board outside the Restaurant

‘Menu Board’ at the Restaurant

Jhatpat Khana

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Abhilash V is a newbie Advocate and foodie .

K C Das – A Review

A review of K C Das, Bangalore by Vidur Nair

Location-Church Street, Bangalore
Phone-080 25587003

Located opposite Koshys , just off St Marks road and at the beginning of the Church street food avenue is K C Das. It seems to have been around since time immemorial and is regularly visited by connoisseurs of Bengali sweets .

K C Das  has attained fame all over Bangalore and India for their Mishti dahi in particular and other Bengali sweets like Rasgullas , Kheer kadams, etc. What many do not know, is that one can also have a whole meal here .

If one were to reach  K C Das at lunch time  (not later than 1:45 PM) one would be able to order a plate of Luchi . To the best of my knowledge Luchi is a Bengali version of Poori similar to the stuff one gets in South Indian restaurants . However it is fried in ghee and instead of being served with ‘sagu’ ,as is usually the case, Luchis are served with dal and potato curry. This dal is no ordinary dal, it is dal with a mix of sweetness and slight spiciness which is unlike any other  . The Potato curry is better than  ‘sagu’ , but in the battle of the accompaniments, it is the dal which winds hands down .A plate of 4 luchis and accompanying curries would serve as a light lunch and would only cost the affordable sum of Rs 35 .

The Samosa  served here is average(Rs 16), but along with the ‘khatta-meeta’ chutney they offer, is fairly good on the palate. One should  top off the meal with a bowl of mishti dahi(Rs 22) or a rasgulla(Rs 16) which are conveniently priced per piece as well as per kilogram .

Seating is extremely limited and one must be prepared to share tables with other  diners . Also , it would be better to come as early as possible because as the clock moves towards 2  , the dal seems to get slightly blander.

On the whole K C Das is a good place to visit for lunch.Though options are limited,  taste  more than makes up for it .

The signboard outside the restaurant

The menu card at K C Das

Samosa and Chutney

Luchi with Dal and Potato curry

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Vidur Nair is a newbie Advocate , who is always on the look out for tasty and affordable food .

Kinara Tiffany’s Thatte Idly Corner- A Review

A review of Kinara Tiffany’s Thatte Idly Corner, Bangalore by Vidur Nair

Location-22,8th Main ,Vasanthnagar, Bangalore
Phone-9886550628/9844467370

Located on the busy Vasanthnagar Main road, this is one establishment which can easily be missed. You will only see it open during the morning and in the evening when ‘tiffen’ is to be served, but never during the afternoon .

As the name suggest this place’s specialty is its Thatte idli . The idlis are fairly large and are served with two types of chutney namely coconut and tomato .Keep in mind that the usual combination of idly sambar is not followed here. One would need at least two such idlis to fill one’s stomach . The food is quite tasty and the flavors reminds one of one’s home cooking .Also served here are Uddin vade.

The food is very hygienically made in an open kitchen with modern cooking equipment and a cook / server who appears to have some thought for hygiene . The downside is there are no seats and one would have to stand and eat outside the establishment. This may not be all that pleasant when it is rush hour and the street is filled with human and vehicular traffic. As a result , take-away is a highly popular option .

The idlis are economically priced at Rs 15 a piece.

On the whole Kinara Tiffany’s Thatte idly Corner is an affordable option for the people of central Bangalore to eat ‘home like’ idlis. One must not go there expecting  ambiance but for getting a stomach full without burning a hole in one’s pocket.

The signboard outside the restaurant

The open kitchen at the restaurant

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Vidur Nair is a final year law student , who is always on the look out for tasty and affordable food .