Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Dasaprakash

First it was music, now it is another thing that I love a lot that makes me write my next post - FOOD!

In fact, with this post I intend to post restaurant reviews more often. Not all restaurants that I visit, but mostly it will be restaurants that I would highly recommend. Dont know how much I can keep up with blogging my reviews, but to start with here is one. And needless to say I highly recommend visiting this restaurant. (I have been to the one in Santa Clara, CA. But they have other branches as well).

Why?

Ok let me begin by answering this question: What would make a complete, wholesome dining experience at a restaurant?
- First and most important - the food
- Ambience
- Service
- Cleanliness and hygiene
- Music (if any)
- Variety on the menu
- Good desserts
- $$ factor
- Vegetarian options

I will add more criteria points as I get better at these reviews. Till then, let me evaluate Dasaprakash on these points.

Before I get to that, let me quicky describe Dasaprakash.
Dasaprakash serves 'south Indian' food. The propreitors own a chain of restaurants in India and have now extended their chain to the US. They serve 'south Indian' food from all 4 south Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerela and Andhra Pradesh. Now let me begin my evaluation.

- Food - Without doubt very good, delicious rendering of the South Indian cuisine. I have tried 3 of the 4 south Indian varieties served there and I have loved each one. I am yet to try the Kerela dishes. I must say they do justice to each variety. 3 Chutneys are served in common, separately so you can have generous helpings of the 'coconut chutney', 'tomato chutney' and the 'khatti/sweet chutney'. The sambar is they serve is just one 'waati' which I feel should be a larger serving. What I would specially recommend is going there with an emptier stomach so you can try the 'combination thalis'. Of course if you are not too hungry you can go in for the single items - like the dosas, uttapams, idlis, vadas or the rice varieties.
- Ambience - Well lit, woodden flooring, tables to match, comfortable sofa style seating also available, black and white picture frames, some idols of Indian dieties, an Indian saree hung on one of the walls, with soft carnatic music playing... creates the right ambience for a nice peaceful meal. It sets the right mood.
I'd also like to add that the restrooms are spic and span. And some picture frames can be seen there too. There are music speakers in the restrooms as well.
- Service - Polite, courteous and generally fast service. I'd prefer to be served by an Indian host rather than the American/Hispanic hosts (NO! I am not a racist), simply because sometimes they are not able to articulate themselves well enough, at times not able to answer our queries, etc. The owners often come for orders and also a lot of times to ask you if everything is fine. Their enquiry is really geniune.
- Cleanliness and hygiene - They maintain the place well and keep everything very clean. From the floor, to the tables, to the crockery, the silverware, right to the restrooms. I had a chance to peep into the kitchen as well and that was clean too! I would say full marks to them on this point.
- Music - Light classical instrumental (carnatic) music can be heard everytime you go there. Creates the right setting.
- Variety on the menu - Sometimes having too much of a variety is a drawback, but these folks have South Indian food from all the four South Indian states and they do a good job. I have tried dishes from three states and all were good.
- Good desserts - To top the main course, the desserts are very good too. My favorite is the Pineapple pudding (it is rava shira with pineapple chunks added).
- $$$ factor - The tab here is slightly on the higher side, but after having such a lovely meal, I did not mind that.
- Vegetarian options - Plentiful. In fact if I am not mistaken, it is a pure vegetarian restaurant!

That ends my review of Dasaprakash!

And brings me to www.yelp.com. This is a nice website for restaurant reviews (mostly in the US). Has taken me to a bunch of nice restaurants. So if you are a foodie and like visiting new places every now and then, check out yelp!

1 Comments:

Blogger Nahush said...

mereko leke jaana dasaprakash mein

Mon Jan 08, 07:45:00 PM PST  

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