FOOD -- 12:

NOW, GUJARATI DISHES IN COONOOR..

By P S SUNDAR

Visitors to The Nilgiris and the residents can henceforth enjoy authentic home-made Gujarati vegetarian dishes, thanks to ‘The Chai Wala’ restaurant in Bedford, Coonoor, launching Gujarati Thaali.

‘The Chai Wala’ has recently been established and is operated by the Vakharia family which has been in tea trade for the last 44 years. 

“We have been serving Chaat, Pav Bhaji, Vada Bhaji and Gujarati snacks from 4 pm to 8.30 pm along with varieties of tea at ‘The Chai Wala’.  During the day, we sell ‘Raj Nishant Tea’ packets.  With many tourists and residents asking for Gujarati meals, we have now launched the Thaali”, Dilip Vakharia, who manages the business activities, told me. 

“I, along with my daughters-in-law Ekta and Sradha, prepare the food at home which ensures two essential aspects – the food is totally home-made and prepared in the way it is traditionally cooked in the Gujarati homes providing authenticity to the dishes”, said Bhavana Vakharia who is also the President of Sri Gujarati Samaj, Nilgiris.

(l-r):  Sradha, Bhavana & Ekta Vakharia in Gujarathi dress -- Bhavana in Bhandhini and the others in Lehria.

  “We also eat the same food at home which certifies the quality, taste and hygiene of our home-made dishes.  The inspiration to serve others with these dishes came on the demand of friends who had tasted our preparations at home”, she added.

“Our Thaali generally comprises Puran Poli (flat home-made bread stuffed with sweet lentil filling), Fulka, Kichadi with Kadi, two subjis, Paatra (steamed and stir fried colocasia leaf with gram flour stuffing) and Khaandvi (besan or gram flour preparation)”, explained Ekta Vakharia.

“Interestingly, we have a long list of menu providing different options to the customers which we can prepare for the Thaali on advance notice.  This includes five varieties of rice, ten varieties of breads and five varieties of dhal.  Gujarati plain or methi Thepla with spices adds to the uniqueness of the dishes”, she disclosed.

“For the curry, we have a special Gujarati dish, ‘Undhyu’ which is a mix of seasonal vegetables and dumplings simmered in a mildly spiced gravy.  This is in addition to some 15 varieties of curries including the Punjabi gravy Chole and Latpatta Aaloo Baingan Pyazz (dry preparation of brinjal potato and onions)”, Sradha Vakharia shared.

Her husband Nishant Vakharia specialises in Vada Pav.  “This is not the usual Vada Pav available in Maharashtra but an innovative dish with Gujarati touch.  These are roasted buns with four different types of chutney and finally roasted in lots of butter and served hot along with a fired green long chilli to add tom taste”, he said.

“Our thepla with two types of pickles – Gujarati traditional special Golkeri and rare capsicum – prepared at home are so favourite among the residents that some ask for bottles of pickles alone!”, Ekta’s husband Jatin Vakharia added.

“Likewise, our Gujarati snack ‘Khaman Dhokla’ has been a favourite chaat so far.  Another favourite has been our innovation Chaat Platter where fried thepla is added to bhel puri, sev puri and pani puri”, he noted.

Adding to the ambience are the decoration on the walls with photos of The Nilgiris clicked by Bhavana’s son-in-law Dhruv Ashra and the chairs and tables made from tea and coffee tree stumps.

A truly family enterprise treating with Gujarati cuisine..

(response can be sent to: pssundar.coonoor@gmail.com)