Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

EATING OUT

Veggie corner Eating out

Photo: S. Mahinsha

Hot favourite Paper-thin dosas have many takers

It is a delectable and inviting combination of South Indian and North Indian flavours that greets patrons as they enter ‘Arul Jyothi,’ the vegetarian restaurant at Bakery Junction. Its long menu of vegetarian dishes, comfortable ambience and adequate parking space have earned ‘Arul Jyothi’ the tag of being a family-friendly restaurant in the heart of the city.

‘Arul Jyothi,’ which recently completed its second anniversary, has the familiar menu that is found in most vegetarian restaurants. Scanning through the menu, one sees the dishes grouped under heads such as South Indian, Tandoori and Indian gravy and fruit cuts.

Different kinds of dosas and oothappams in addition to appam/puttu with kadala curry find a place under the South Indian category.

One ponders over some not-so-common varieties such as kuzhi paniyaram and mushroom oothappam. V.Navaneethan, manager of the eatery, explains: “Kuzhi paniyaram is a Chettinad speciality made with rice and dal.” Ask him about wheat/ragi dosa and he says that those were included to cater to customers who may be diabetic.

The restaurant takes pride in the elaborate lunches that it serves. One may savour plain meals or go in for a South Indian or a North Indian thali. The North Indian thali comprises a soup, a roti and naan each with three side dishes.

Guests can choose from fried rice, vegetable pulao and vegetable biriyani for the main course. Completing the thali experience are desserts that include fruit salad and gulab jamun. Priced at Rs.70 a plate, Navaneethan assures us that “the portions served are filling and wholesome.”

Arul Jyothi does not disappoint those who prefer the ‘pick-n-choose’ experience. To start off, one may try out such soups as ‘vegetable noodles soup’ or ‘French onion soup,’ and complement it with starters such ‘Dragon Gobi’ or ‘Dragon mushroom.’ These starters are relatively new entrants in the restaurant’s kitchen and are served dry or with a gravy. Choose Tandoori breads like methi roti or stuffed parota together with paneer pulao or Schezwan fried rice provide for the main course. One may complete the dining experience with ice creams, fresh juice or fruit cuts.

Says Navaneethan: “Our ‘faluda’ is well-liked by our customers.” For those who prefer the heady mix of fruits, the ‘MAPO fruity,’ a mix of mango, apple, pineapple and orange, priced at Rs.70 is worth a try.

Payments can be made by credit for orders above Rs.100 in this restaurant, which is open from 7.30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The restaurant also has home delivery except on weekends. The service, however, is limited to a distance of one km.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail