Restaurant review: Vasanta Bhavan

Restaurant review: Vasanta Bhavan (South Indian, North Indian & Chinese)
A franchise outlet of the popular vegetarian cuisine chain from Chennai, Vasanta Bhavan promises to fill in the market gap for good South Indian vegetarian fare, in a fine-dining ambience.
Décor
The South Indian aesthetic sensibility is in place, with carved antique doors, Tanjore paintings (also for sale), paisley-printed wall paper in pastels, and a brass-bellsniched-partition in the indoor dining area.There is an outdoor dining space too,which offers a pleasant greenery-facing view, with glass-topped tables and rattan chairs.
Food
The menu is exhaustive, consisting of South Indian tiffin, thalis (Vasanta Bhavan, Andhra and North Indian), Chinese, North Indian (including tandoor) and also a Jain section. Tiffins tried were idlis, upma, pongal, vada, onion rawa dosa and ghee masala dosa (on different occasions), served with four chutneys; coconut, peanut, ginger (allam) and mint; coconut and ginger especially, were superb.
Upma and pongal were well-made, with the former’s mustard-curry leaves-urad dal tempering, and the latter’s peppercorn-coconut piece-cashewnut drill just perfecto! Idlis (plenty of choices on menu) were soft and well-done, although the dosa, crisp enough, could have been served a tad hotter.What good is tiffin if it isn’t downed by South Indian filter coffee? And truly, we were rewarded with a perfect brew, frothy and potently aromatic of coffee beans. The Vasanta Bhavan thali, on the day I was dining, offered Mooli Sambar, tomato rasam, raw banana poriyal, beetroot chana masala, carrot poriyal, (nice), beerakaya kootu, puri, aloo matar korma (scrumptious!), mango pachadi (fresh and crunchy), papad, curd, with puri, rice (with ghee) and channa pulav. Common to the Andhra thali that day was the sambar-rasam-rice-pachadi-dessertcurd drill but some of the side dishes were different, including majiga pulusu, Andhra buttermilk kadhi, which was the real stuff, light, tangy and refreshing. Moong dal payasam (common to both thalis) was outstanding, and added that touch of sweet contentment to a well-enjoyed meal. I also tried a spoonful of Veg Biryani, and it was a piece of art, aromatic, separate-grained good-quality basmati rice, with the paneer-veggies-mix inside giving it the right edge.
Plus & minus
The tiffins score too.Available from 4 to 11 pm in the outdoor area,which also has a juice counter, are chaat, paani puri, pav bhaji, thanks to a tie-up with the popular Maharaja Chaat Bhandaar.
Times food guide
Vasanta Bhavan
Road no. 14 Banjara hills, (Behind Cinemax),Besides B.N Reddy Colony
Meal for two: Rs 200
Timings: 7 am to 11 pm
Rating: Décor: 3.50 Food: 4.00 Service: 3.50