A vegetarian chinese place?

What? Is it? Where? In Bangalore?? This was my reaction when my friend told me about it. Like how Superman, Spiderman and beautiful intelligent IIT .... dont exist in reality, I also thought Pure Vegetarian Chinese cuisine does not exist, until my friend told me about this place in HSR Layout in Bangalore.

On one sunny Sunday I thought of visiting this place trying to recollect the directions my friend told to reach this place. He told me that this place is in a lane right opposite to FoodDays on 27th Main, HSR Layout in the right side corner after we turn right into the lane. I did not take a turn but took a peek into the lane, but failed to notice that place. So I went to PapaJohns.

Last week I took my friend along so that I will not miss this place. I found this place right after taking the turn into 27th Main on the right side. One can happily park the car on the road as there is ample space now due to wide road and one way restriction (you can go into it, but cant come out).

I learnt that the owner is Indian born Chinese and they are Budhists. Luo Han translates to Budha and they follow vegetarian diet (basically low-impact living, which is a great idea in my opinion, considering Global warming). I had Luo Han Delight soup that contained lots of vegetables including Broccoli (very healthy ingredients) and Honey Sauce Potato as a starter. I liked the soup very much simply because it did not give me the non-veg flavor that we typically get in a mixed Chinese restaurant (including the upscale Mainland China in Domlur). And ofcourse Potatoes taste good to me in any form.

We got Dragon Rice for main course. This is a mix of vegetables, rice and some gravy. Excellent dish, no oil or very little oil and not so spicy. I got Hakka Noodles packed for home and I was surprised (rather delighted) to see that it did not contain pouring oil (unlike the one you get from Dummas on Sarjapur Road or elsewhere). The best thing I liked finally is this whole food is gentle on stomach.

Main course can be shared by two if you take starters. Main course is in the range of Rs. 75 to 100 Rs and starters cost about Rs 45-80. Also gentle on Wallet I think. :-)

Parantha holic - Bellandur

This is a new speciality eat out joint opened at Bellandur two weeks ago. I had been there last week and writing my experience. As the name suggests, its supposed to be 'the' place for those who love parathas. But u know.. Bangalore is such a cosmo city that you hardly find large punjabi community in just one location. Bellandur area has a mix of people from various locations. These are the people who eat Parathas once in a while and for a change from routine. With that perspective, Parantha holic is doing well even though the parathas are not really delicious.

The prices start from Rs.30 and go till 60 for each Paratha. One paratha comes with achar and curd. The size is not really big. I would eat two such parathas for lunch along with some rice & dal. The curries are to be bought extra. Average meal costs Rs.100 per head and this is a self service joint. My first experience from this place is, this will create confusion in the customer about the positioning. This is not a fast food center that churs out 10 parathas in 15 minutes for high volume visitors and at the same time this is not an order, eat and pay restaurant with comfortable seating. If the target customers are bachelors, one has to shell out roughly 70-80 rupees for a filling meal. If the target customers are family of two or four, it would be around 400, but would such a family want to spend time in a self service eat out where not so great parathas are served? I still like Dummas parathas than Parantha holic !

So, my suggestion to you is, 'Improve the taste of Parathas, Price Competetively, Process the orders quickly'.