To Udipi With Love

It was Sunday morning and we got talking about how it's been a while since we ate out. These days newspapers, magazines, travel and news channels all seem to be talking about food, good food. The Times of India even comes out with regular updates of its Good Food Guide booklet. What made it a done deal was Kunal Vijaykar's Sunday morning show The Foodie on Times Now.

My wife and I decided that's it; we have to eat out today. Once that decision was made came the mouth-watering but laborious task of narrowing down on a mutually agreeable restaurant.

We thought Italian, disucssed Mexican, travelled through Chinese lanes, sniffed at imaginary Thai delicacies, wondered about Lebanese, and drew pizzas and burgers on paper. By now you must have decided what a wonky couple. I agree, we are more than wonky. Imagine what happens when two indecisive Librans decide to set a common agenda.

But wait, there is a twist in the tale. Any guesses on what we settled for? Surprise, Surprise... it was good, old, clean Udipi food. That decision taken, we landed at a restaurant called Woodlands near Juhu beach in the north-western Mumbai suburb of Vile Parle.

The setting was decent but not out of the ordinary. As we drank water we discussed the ambience, compared it with many a new-age joint and found it was bit wanting. But what the
heck, we were there to eat the food and not the ambience.

As many others we first settled for the Idli-Vada samabar routine. That's one thing my friends and relatives find funny. You see, for TamBrams, idli is a home affair. So most of the people who know me find it funny that I go to a restaurant and order something that is made at home almost every second day. To them I say, can't help it, I am addicted.

Then it was time for the main course. I settled for a Bissibele bath, while my wife ordered a Mysore Masala dosa. The food was excellent, the service to die for. I am yet to see waiters in the fancier restaurants that I have visited serve me like they do in mst Udipis, with love and a smile straight from the heart. I guess that enhances the tase of the food, increases your appetite, and sets the mood for the day.

The service brought back memories of a fancy Chinese restaurant that we had visited a few months ago. The food was decent at the most, the charges exhorbitant, and unbelievable as it
may sound, we had to serve ourselves. It was buffet you see. It left me with the feeling of having been cheated. What idiot would want to pay 1000 bucks for an averagely decent meal and then end up serving oneself. You guessed it right, this idiot.

Back to the Sunday in question, we wound up our meal with steaming cups of filter coffee, again much better than the lattes, mochas, and cappucinos in westernized outlets. For all the food that we ate, I was pleasantly surprised when the waiter brought the bill. A grand total of Rs.240 plus taxes.

On our way back from an excellent value for money lunch, we were left thinking of the many lunches that we have had over the years at some fancy hotels. Rarely did we walk out feeling so content and satisfied. And the money had nothing to do with it.

So friends, for us when it comes to eating out nothing comes remotely close to the Udipi experience. And at least I am yet to come across anyone known to me who has been laid low by
an Udipi meal, money and otherwise.