Sunday 26 August 2012

Eating Out-Idli House, Kings Circle, Mumbai

Who wants breakfast ??


Generally regarded as the most important meal of the day, a perfect breakfast goes a long way in making the day productive.


However, a perfect breakfast also sets the tone for a long, leisurely, and lazy weekend.

The problem, with most cities, is that they do not have good breakfast joints. A lot of eating out places do not open before lunch. The reason can attributed to the fact that most cities rarely have the breakfast culture. These days, its just from bed to work and then back to bed. If at all one gets the chance to eat a hearty meal, it is often with the stress of having to drop the knife and fork and grab the briefcase.

Thus, to get a good breakfast joint in a mad rush city, is akin to finding that elusive oasis on a desert.

One good place in Mumbai I discovered years back is Idli House. Located near King's Circle, its a small little joint.

To begin with, the place has just 3 tables and a small counter (in case you have room only to stand). Behind is a tiny kitchen. 

Now, do not bother asking for the menu card. As the place's name suggests, you have only Idlis on offer. A great variety of them.

Place your order. Within minutes, you are bought freshly steamed idlis. Choose your accompaniments. Sambhar, chutney, kadhi are all there, waiting to be consumed. A tray with coriander powder, chilli powder (gunpowder), sesame and coconut oil is also provided. The onus of trying out various combinations lies on you.

The moment you start eating is when the glorious realization takes places , that you just cannot stop. Delightful idlis too. Idli steamed in jackfruit leaves (called Khotto I think), Idli Upma, Pepper Idli, Butter Idli, Vegetable Idli. it goes on and on.

The magic lies in devoting exclusive attention to only idlis. The philosophy of the kitchen is to not have anything which is fried. Which is why you get soft, melt in the mouth,and really good steamed idlis here. To cap things off, they have very good filter coffee. 

The rates are very very nominal. Simple no frills service. The better part is, they charge extra for any wastage of food. I say, though, who would want to waste such delicious, tender idlis ?. Also, they have discounts for students who bring along their school/college I.D card.

If you would like to try out something like Dosas or Vadas, you could head across to the opposite side to Cafe Mysore or Madras Cafe. However, this place is one that should be experienced on its own.

Directions:

For those heading in from South Mumbai, take a train to Matunga railway station (Central Railway) from CST. Or a train to King's Circle (which comes on the CST-Andheri route).


From Matunga, head to Kings Circle. It is right among the line of shops along the circle. Same for Kings Circle.

From Thane, to Matunga, same way.

Landmarks: 

Kings Circle,

Aurora Theatre

Garnish Restaurant

Khalsa College

Hope this Google Earth depiction makes things clearer.

 

I do not have photographs, hence I am going to link this piece with some other blog / review posts.

 Expresthoughts.blogspot

 http://arunshanbhag.com/2009/04/26/idli-house/

 Rediff Review

 Eating Out in Bombay

 Idli House- Menu

 Idli House-Burpp Review

Do check out the above links to, it has some wonderful pictures and content.

All in all, a wonderful place. My suggestion is to head hear on a rainy morning, have a hearty meal and get back to laze while its pouring sheets outside.

Cheers :)










 

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