DESILICIOUS!
GOVINDA’S: GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL SIZES
We ordered a plate of alu-tikki chaat and the thali which came with one chapati, jeera rice, a bowl of dal, the two vegetables of the day – kofta and vegetable korma – a samosa and a gulab jamun.
By SUVARNA SHASTRI
On our visits to India, lunch at Govinda’s, the restaurant run by the devotees at ISCON, in Juhu, Mumbai, is a must.
My sister’s family has taken us there each time since taking us there for the first time many years ago. It’s a large, open space with an extensive menu. I love their thalis, in particular, and also some of their innovative dishes like the pizza with artichokes.
Thus when Kanta suggested dinner at Govinda’s in Toronto, I responded with an enthusiastic yes.
The restaurant is attached to the Hare Krishna temple in a beautiful old heritage building, so it’s a two-in-one, food for the body and soul.
We walked in just as the arti was getting underway and it’s a beautiful experience with the other devotees. After that, it’s a few short steps down a corridor to the restaurant.
Which came as a bit of a surprise as it’s a much smaller space than their restaurant in Mumbai, and the menu, even smaller.
On offer in the appetizers section are samosa chaat, alu tikki chaat, mixed savoury plate (kachori, samosa, pakora, tikki served with chutney), kachori plate, pakora plate and dhokla plate.
Under meals, the menu has full thali ($16), rice combo (rice, daal and a vegetable) for $11 and chapati combo (two chapatis, daal and a vegetable), also for $11.
And that’s about it, except for the desserts which include gulab jamuns, ras malai, kulfi and “traditional” sweets – boondi laddoos, peda and barfi.
They offer vegan options.
We ordered a plate of alu-tikki chaat and the thali which came with one chapati, jeera rice, a bowl of dal, the two vegetables of the day – kofta and vegetable korma – a samosa and a gulab jamun.
The restaurant is attached to the Hare Krishna temple in a beautiful old heritage building,
The restaurant was quiet, and the people friendly.
While we waited for our order, I checked out the display case with bottles of hing, oil and preserves and spices.
Our alu-tikki chaat was delicious, but the quantity was less than what I have gotten used to at other restaurants.
The dal and the vegetable curries tasted good, too, but the star of the evening was the solitary gulab jamun, dense and soft and sweet.
“Good things come in small sizes,” said Kanta with a laugh as we ordered two more chappatis and more gulab jamuns.
My sister was happy to learn I’d finally made it to Govinda’s in Toronto and promised to take me to the one in Mumbai again on our upcoming visit.
Govinda’s is located at 243 Avenue Road in Toronto and their phone number is 1-888-218-1040.