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BangaloreMirror

| FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012

20

Thank God its thali-day

T
Manu Prasad bmfeedback@indiatimes.com
NEERAJ NIKHIL SIMON

GIF is an acronym thats familiar in the dining-out context, but change it by an alphabet to TGIT and you get a completely new context. Not Tuesday, not Thursday, but The Great Indian Thali. The restaurant, which opened to public on the last day of October, is a venture of Veg Concept Hospitality Pvt Ltd. Located on the busy 80 Feet Road in Koramangala, it is housed in a building that is fast becoming a complete food destination in itself, with a Spanish restaurant, a North Indian eatery and a soon-to-be-launched Resto-bar and grill. While many a restaurant in Bangalore serves a North Indian and/or South Indian thali, or even a region-specific version, TGIT clearly has Mile food mera tumhara in mind. But they do plan to have a monthly region-specific special with guest chefs soon. Meanwhile, youcan lounge on low seating, or functional or high chairs as you watch the traffic snarls below and contemplate if curd rice and paneer lababdar do have a future together.

Lotus 612/1, 80 Feet Road, 4th Block, Koramangala, Bangalore 560034. Ph: 08065471151

The Great Indian Thali

Food Owner(s) Chef Alcohol Price range

Parking Wheelchair access Service

Indian. Vegetarian. Veg Concept Hospitality Pvt Ltd Heera Singh No Prix fixe menu. `328 + tax on weekdays, `382 + tax on weekends (more items) Valet parking available. No

but discerning palates detected that the cheese was not really fresh.

Entree: The Ker Kismis, a Rajasthani

Appetisers: The prix fixe (set) menu

From top: The Great Indian Thali; Dahi Vada, Parwal Masala; Rasmalai

features four starters and the samosas that were served first turned out to be the hot favourites. A crispy exterior with a standard but mildly spicy and non-greasy filling and complemented by the imli chutney meant that everyone asked for a second helping. The Dahi Vada soft and fluffy vadas in a faintly tangy curd, was equally popular. We also got the not-so-commonly-found Makhai vada made with corn ground to a paste, and though the snack was not in the same league as the ones preceding it, its uniqueness makes it a dish worth trying out. Its blandness can be offset by the chilli chutney thats provided. The cheese balls were the most debated dish, as a few of us found it well worth gobbling up, especially with the mint chutney,

speciality made of desert berries was a dish that found favour with everyone. The different texture provided by the berries and the occasional sweetness rendered by the kismis made it a singularly unique offering. The Paneer Lababdar was a close second and was taken down a notch by the slightly hard paneer, though the mildly spicy gravy did its best to make up. The Parwal Masala, made with unpeeled point gourd was another dish that used its texture to good effect. The Shrikhand, though classified as a dessert, made an appearance, probably to serve as a combination with the Masala Puri. But it proved to be too diluted and though the Masala Puri got the flavour right, the combo didnt really work. None of the other main course dishes Dal

Makhani, Dal Tadka, Aloo Matar managed to leave an impression. The Fulka proved to be too thick and the Pulao rice needed some more cooking. The curd rice just about managed to stay true to character.

Afters: Since it was a prix fixe menu, there was no danger of desserts not being available. The soft Gulab Jamun did a splendid job and got the sweetness of the syrup just right. The Rasmalai continued to be another dependable source of sugar-based joy. The Lauki Halwa was a unique option and though it was a tad heavy and greasy, we thought it was an acceptable part of the halwas character. In all: With the starters and desserts doing an excellent job, the meal began and ended well. The main course was a bit of a disappointment. Considering that one can have as many

Friendly and prompt. They even point out what chutney works best with each dish. Sound level Bollywood and Bryan Adams at moderate levels. Ambience Comfortable, with the road facing tables Hours Daily 12.30 pm 3 pm, 7 pm 11 pm Home delivery No Reservations Early days, so you might be able to get seats easily without reservations

BM VERDICT

10

servings of preferred dishes, the pricing is quite justified. With a few unique dishes mixing it up with favourites from across the country, TGIT does seem to have a reasonably good offering when youre in the mood for vegetarian fare.

Bangalore Mirror reviews anonymously and pays for meals

KAUSHIK J N

From the classic chicken burger to more unusual combinations, Bangaloreans now have a lot of options for tasty grilled goodness

FIVE OF A KIND - BURGER

AS TOLD TO JAYANTHI MADHUKAR

McDONALDS

Brigade Road, Rs 59 I am a vegetarian and I feel the McVeggie burger is delicious. They use simple ingredients that blend well. The chickpea patty tastes great and I sometimes like to eat it on its own. The iceberg lettuce is crisp and the pickles tangy and delicious. Sometimes, I buy a meal that comes with fries. But the burger serves well for a quick snack. RAM IYER, MARKETING EXECUTIVE

CASA PICCOLA

Residency Road, Rs 160 I love the jumbo UFO Burger here. It makes for a hearty meal. Theres cold chicken salad on one side and salami and cheese on the other. The sauce is what makes the burger taste so heavenly. A red dressing a combo of mayonnaise and tomato sauce it is at once sweet and tangy. The cheese is melted just right enough. SUSAN PAUL, COMMERCE STUDENT

Residency Road, Rs 90 The place is famous for burgers. Being a chicken lover, I always go for their chicken burger the jumbo-sized one. Before I even begin with the burger, a note on the mayonnaise sauce it is truly delicious. I always ask for extra mayo and they oblige. The buns are soft and the ingredients that go into the chicken burger are a culinary treat! NEERAJA BHATNAGAR, HOMEMAKER

INDIANA FAST FOOD

ICE AND SPICE

St Marks Road, Rs 100 I always pick the All American Chicken burger here. The portion is just right. I dont know what sauce goes in it but it is very tasty. The succulent juicy meat and soft buns make a terrific combination. A side of French fries completes it. A perfect burger needs the perfect mayonnaise and I believe it is in this burger! A perfect 10 on 10! RAMESH KARPE, ENGINEERING STUDENT

MATTEO

Church Street, Rs 160 Though a little heavy on the wallet,the burgers are very nice. I pick their chicken burger. Chicken patty served in warm soft burger buns, I love the taste of sesame seeds, mayonnaise, ketchup, coleslaw, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese slices. Sometimes, I add extra toppings (at a cost). And it is always served with crispy French fries. SWEETY AHLUWALIA, PR

Next week: Parathas

Do you believe you have tasted the best parathas in Bangalore? Then write to us about it. In 50-100 words. Mention the name of the eatery, the place, cost of the dish and why you think it is the best tasting paratha in the city. We will test your choices and give our verdict next week. Send your choices to bmfeatures@indiatimes.com