Apr 09, 2008 10:10 PM
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Rajdhaniis famous for their Thalis.
But now their only focus seems to be on opening more and more franchise outlets with scant regard for maintaining quality, service or confort of their patrons.
I had the opportunity to sample their much famed thali last Sunday at Shopper's Stop in Ghatkopar. It was a lunch affair and we were about 20 of us. Prior booking was useles because on Sundaysit is rush-hour and the most in appropriate day to enjoy a leisurely meal.
Anyways, we were lucky to get an early seating because we were the typical late comers about 2-45 pm and were promptly ushered upstair into the cool air conditioned environs of their restaurant.
The Huge Thalisand their typical 8 or 10 tiny vatiswere silently placed swiftly and for appetiser a cool glass of panna(raw green sweetened mango juice) was served. Cool yes, but too sweet for my liking.
Then came the sabjis(vegetables) with a flourish and before one could say bon appetit, the sight of so many kinds of servings made my hunger vanish. No really, I was very hungry and could eat an elephant. Even 'flying elephant'at that !
One cauliflowerphool Gobhi, one alupotato,one typical sweet Gujratidal vaati,one new delicious unusual Rajasthanispeciality (never caught the name) two daals kathol, kachori,cocktail samosa, white dhokla.sweet imli chutney,green chutney, kachoomber(diced onions and tomatoes) phulka,parothas, rice and khichdi.
Unlimited servings of aam ras, gulabjamunsrounded off the sweet dish. Chhaas (buttermilk) to polish off the afternoon and put you into a slumber.
Food was more or less home like, clean, wholesome and decent. Nothing spectacular besides that unique Rajasthani speciality which I just could not fathom what it was made of - something leafy and almost bean stalk type but cunningly delicious and extraordinary.
Thali at Ghatkopar on Sunday cost me 225/- which I thought was a bit steep but considering the fact that I wasn't paying for it, I could digest the food and let out a cool burp.
Serving was done in a silent efficient manner with only hand signals being used to transmit orders to the kitchen regarding refills and requests for extra servings. This also is a sight to watch - how simple swirls of your hand and a show of fingers or palm or clenched fist can get you an extra helping of maybe dal, or a particular vegetable or rice or dhokla etc.
I have witnessed similar use of the hand signals at other thali joints like Siddharth Bandra, Joshi Club Kalbadevi and Status Churchgate.
But, trust me nothing to beat the awesome THALIof Friends Colony Joshi Clubat Kalbadevifor its sheer value for money, amazing taste, the love with which they feed you and the unhurried manner inwhich they let you be after you wish to unbutton your swollen waistlineand take a breather from the gastronomic delight.
Watch out for more of me on my culinary pursuits,
Till then .. Burp !
Regards
Raja
