Seduced by Sambar
I tend to crave the exact opposite of what’s readily available. For instance, when marooned on a deserted island, I begin to crave for rice and curd and when stranded in the sub Saharan regions, I feel the desperate urge to eat fish.
Hence, during my trip to New Delhi, in between historical sightseeing, I began to feel the urgent need to immerse my face in a steaming bowl of Sambar. And so, I raced off to Connaught Place and made my way to Sarvana Bhavan.
Now, for those who don't know, Sarvana Bhavan is a Chennai based chain that has branches in almost every major city in the world; with the obvious exception of Mumbai.
I entered to a whiff of authentic sambar. I let the aroma lead me to a nearby table and scanned the menu. I drank in its contents with happiness. Cottage cheese was barely mentioned in one place or two. I had faced a ruthless onslaught of dishes brimming with cottage cheese and heavy cream in the past week. Any coconut based dish would soothe the taste buds. I quickly ordered a Masala Dosa and a thali.
The food arrived quickly. Tenderly cooked vegetables with a dash of masala and a hint of tanginess were wrapped inside a crispy crepe. One bite and the hitherto peeved palate felt pampered. Next, I had a go at the thaali. The thaali consisted of a mountain of rice in the centre surrounded by six vegetables in small circular steel bowls, papad, a mango based gravy and two rotis. I devoured the thaali and didn't spare a moment to notice the ambience or the material of the cushions. The food received my undivided attention. The texture and pulpiness of the gravy had me occupied. I indulged my senses in the savoury curries and potpourri of spices. The dessert arrived soon after and invoked my salivating tongue. I diced the voluptuous Gulab Jamun and sweetness oozed from it. The food had been chewed, swallowed and the process of digestion had commenced. I settled the bill and staggered out of the restaurant. I had eaten so much that the food in my stomach had noticeably altered my centre of gravity.
Hence, during my trip to New Delhi, in between historical sightseeing, I began to feel the urgent need to immerse my face in a steaming bowl of Sambar. And so, I raced off to Connaught Place and made my way to Sarvana Bhavan.
Now, for those who don't know, Sarvana Bhavan is a Chennai based chain that has branches in almost every major city in the world; with the obvious exception of Mumbai.
I entered to a whiff of authentic sambar. I let the aroma lead me to a nearby table and scanned the menu. I drank in its contents with happiness. Cottage cheese was barely mentioned in one place or two. I had faced a ruthless onslaught of dishes brimming with cottage cheese and heavy cream in the past week. Any coconut based dish would soothe the taste buds. I quickly ordered a Masala Dosa and a thali.
The food arrived quickly. Tenderly cooked vegetables with a dash of masala and a hint of tanginess were wrapped inside a crispy crepe. One bite and the hitherto peeved palate felt pampered. Next, I had a go at the thaali. The thaali consisted of a mountain of rice in the centre surrounded by six vegetables in small circular steel bowls, papad, a mango based gravy and two rotis. I devoured the thaali and didn't spare a moment to notice the ambience or the material of the cushions. The food received my undivided attention. The texture and pulpiness of the gravy had me occupied. I indulged my senses in the savoury curries and potpourri of spices. The dessert arrived soon after and invoked my salivating tongue. I diced the voluptuous Gulab Jamun and sweetness oozed from it. The food had been chewed, swallowed and the process of digestion had commenced. I settled the bill and staggered out of the restaurant. I had eaten so much that the food in my stomach had noticeably altered my centre of gravity.
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