It's been quite some time since I last went gaga over vegetarian food, but then one has to visit authentic joints in some quiet nook of the city to get a taste of utter delight. It was on a quest like this, that I had first set out on exploring the Central Tiffin Room (popularly known as CTR) on 7th Cross, Malleswaram (R.K. Narayan had been inspired by Malleswaram and Basavagudi for the much celebrated 'Malgudi' Days). And it wouldn't be a hyperbole to say that my taste buds were more than rewarded!
The hotel, more than forty years of glory already under its cap, resembles a petite French bistro from outside. As one enters, what strikes you first is the fact that the place is perpetually crowded, thanks to a large number of loyal customers who keep returning! An old Grandfather clock on the wall, Bhagavad Gita inscriptions around, a menu chart scripted only in Kannada and diyas on the cash counter add to the antediluvian charm of the place.
The Benne Masal Dose (Butter Masala Dosa) in CTR is like manna from heaven. Period. Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside; the golden brown dosa cooked in a generous helping of butter and potato palya is the right flavor to set your mood after a busy day of routine work. Besides their signature dish, also on the offer are rava idlis, Mangalore bhajji, aloo poori and many other delicacies. What sets aside CTR from a dozen other good eateries in and around the city is the authentic chutneys they serve, not to mention the piping hot coffee, thick and bitter, served in the traditional South indian style of a tumbler in a katori. Post meal, the waiters serve small cuttings from old newspapers thats serve as hand wipers!
After a sumptous finger-licking meal, with a song on my lips...pet pujo complete, I headed back to the familiar campus. And started counting days till I would visit CTR again! :-)
The hotel, more than forty years of glory already under its cap, resembles a petite French bistro from outside. As one enters, what strikes you first is the fact that the place is perpetually crowded, thanks to a large number of loyal customers who keep returning! An old Grandfather clock on the wall, Bhagavad Gita inscriptions around, a menu chart scripted only in Kannada and diyas on the cash counter add to the antediluvian charm of the place.
The Benne Masal Dose (Butter Masala Dosa) in CTR is like manna from heaven. Period. Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside; the golden brown dosa cooked in a generous helping of butter and potato palya is the right flavor to set your mood after a busy day of routine work. Besides their signature dish, also on the offer are rava idlis, Mangalore bhajji, aloo poori and many other delicacies. What sets aside CTR from a dozen other good eateries in and around the city is the authentic chutneys they serve, not to mention the piping hot coffee, thick and bitter, served in the traditional South indian style of a tumbler in a katori. Post meal, the waiters serve small cuttings from old newspapers thats serve as hand wipers!
After a sumptous finger-licking meal, with a song on my lips...pet pujo complete, I headed back to the familiar campus. And started counting days till I would visit CTR again! :-)
1 comment:
Maybe some of this cud rub onto our coconut-loving Mr. Langmuir! And the tumbler in the katori is colloquially known as the 'davra-tumbler' combo.
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