Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Malleswaram on a Platter: P1

Everyone’s got to do their bit for the community. As a resident of Malleswaram, a brahminical south Indian neighborhood in Bangalore, for close to 18 years now, I do state with certain confidence that this is the place you ought to stop by for good food, street side markets and 30% offs on garments at Mummy Daddy’s.

I’m not much of a foodie, but here’s a list on some of the best eateries that you must visit in and around Malleswaram (in no particular order). Big thanks to Grandpa, Anoop, Navneet, Satya and Anu for all the visits.

1)CTR: Stands for Central Tiffin Room, though you’re not going to find that name displayed anywhere. The board at the entrance above the little green door opposite Malleswaram Association says Sri Sagar, and it’s here you’ll get to taste the Oscar award winning benne masale dose. The owner of the restaurant once worked as a waiter here, or at least that’s the popular belief. They don’t serve sambar until you ask for it. The big grandpa clock is said to be more than a hundred years old. Make sure you go here on an empty stomach. The best time to get here is on weekdays around 4 pm when it’s least crowded. This funny little place attracts page 3 socialites and paatis alike.

2)Janata: On the street parallel to CTR in 8th Cross Malleswaram Market is Hotel Janata. A household name in the locality, this restaurant is best known for its vade and sambar. The tea is also amongst the best you can taste around the city. Visit anytime other than Saturday evenings when the crowd usually spills on to the sidewalk.

3)Veena Stores: There’s a fan following on Orkut for Veena Stores. It’s a one of a kind place where steaming hot idlis are sold across the counter, and a little crowd is always gathered on the pavement on 15th Cross Margosa next to the MRF showroom. Get here early in the morning around 7:30 a.m after a brisk walk around 4th main to avoid crowds. This place is all about the chutney.

4)Adigas: This is the new baby on the block. Just up the street from Veena Stores across Sampige road is the relatively big Adigas Sampige. The coming of this restaurant proved beyond doubt that Bangaloreans are born foodies. Just when everyone thought that the eatery business in Malleswaram was saturated, Adigas came along and proved that there’s still plenty of room at the top. No dish that is worthy of exceptional praise, but the juice stall is alright.

5)The push cart guy on 11th Cross: The guy rocks! He is your master chef with his chaat on wheels in 11th cross Malleswaram. He usually stands in front of Visu Consultant/ Way to wealth. The place is not very crowded, but the stuff is good. Must try: Dahi Puri.

(to be continued)

6 comments:

Bhargav said...

Since you mentioned "to be continued", I'm going to wait...I had a few more to add!!

kalpathi said...

I am going to add some more:

Amrit Icecreams- 1th cross, near Vidya Mandir.. Must-try here- fig and honey icecream!
Arj.. how can u forget- Halli Mane kaapi... where u had ur first encounter with pepper spray :D

Anoop said...

The size of the CTR dosa has become so small :(

Narayana Swamy K said...

Been to most of those places(except the guy on the cart on 11th cross) :)
Malleswaram truly rocks.. how can you forget halli manai? and dont forget my favourite Gulkhand shop in malleswaram circle!

Sampath Kumar said...

Dude where is this place called Mall..or whatever...is it in south ?

neet said...

kya ba..manjunatha beer shop on 18th cross with its legendary drinkin room needs a mention..i mean..gotta pop a drink too rite :D ..there is actually NO effin kabab shop in malles..too brahmana an area :P