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For those who love eating the different varieties of dosa, you are in for a treat with the opening up of a new eatery.
Those who don’t know what a dosa is: it’s a fermented crepe made from rice batter and black lentils. It’s a staple dish in the south Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. It is also loved in other parts of India as well as other countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore.
A few of its varieties include light, crispy and fluffy pancake-like veggie wraps full of spice that will have you reaching for a cooling buttermilk (lassi) within seconds of devouring it.
The popular titbit is a breakfast favourite in Bahrain, especially at the GulfWeekly office. Orders of masala dosa, a pancake stuffed with lightly-cooked potatoes, onions, green chilli and spices, is placed almost daily. However, the vigilant reporters often crave the scrumptious snack throughout the day, only to be disappointed time and again as it’s only available in the mornings or evenings.
Imagine their delight when they discovered their dosa desires would finally be answered now that a casual dining restaurant, serving up hot pancake concoctions, is situated right around the corner from their office.
The 3,000sq/ft Dosa Plaza, which can seat 120 diners comfortably inside and outside, is located in Hoora next to Ashrafs, the electronics, homeware, wholesale distributor and retail store. Dosa fanatics were thrilled when Ashrafs became the sole distributor of the brand in Bahrain and according to Ashrafs general manager of the electronics operations, Muthu Kumaran, the restaurant has been bustling with customers.
Mr Kumaran said: “We already have many families dining with us and the children love the food, the fun environment and the balloons.
“Our aim is to position ourselves as a causal, fast-food dining restaurant serving good quality food in a comfortable, colourful environment that is accessible and affordable. We want to reach the masses. We have a dedicated car park to make it easier for customers. If you go to any other South Indian restaurant in Manama or Gudaibiya, parking can be an issue.
“Also, dosa may be available in Bahrain, but no one has fusion dosas like we do or the range in our menu. That’s what makes Dosa Plaza special.”
The south Indian vegetarian franchise, Dosa Plaza, which started from humble beginnings in Mumbai by entrepreneur Ganapathy T Nadar, popularly known as Prem Ganapathy, is offering the yummy fare in 50 branches worldwide.
Food lovers have been flocking to its fast-food outlets in the western and northern parts of India. Even Australia and New Zealand have jumped on the dosa bandwagon. There are branches in Muscat, the UAE and venues opening in the US as well as Tanzania.
Mr Kumaran said: “While we have many Indian families joining us, we also get a lot of Bahrainis coming in during lunch and dinner. The community in the kingdom is becoming more health conscious and wanting vegetarian food.”
The kitchen features nine chefs from different parts of India, specialising in specific cuisines from north to south and there are six sous chefs and eight waiters to help them dish out the dosas. The menu, which includes 387 items, features 104 types of the crepes in different variations.
My husband Sam and I decided to sample a few of the signature creations, which have been satisfying diners around the world.
Make sure to bring your appetite and maybe a fire extinguisher as some of these wraps are not for the faint-hearted. The Mexi Roll, which includes veggies, capsicum, garlic sauce, cheese, onions and, of course, a fiery kick, was my husband’s favourite. I loved the Arabian Delight with its special sauce, brought in from Mumbai, veggie-mayonnaise and grilled vegetables.
We both shared a Punjabi Thali with roti and naan (breads) served on a giant tray with a variety of chutneys made for dipping. There was aloo gobi (potato with cauliflower), dal, paneer (cottage cheese) butter masala and a spinach and green peas chutney. There was a side of raita (a yoghurt sauce with vegetables) and, for dessert, a creamy gulab jamun that is the sweetest thing on the planet and my favourite. The thali comes as a lunch package with rice, papad and pickle for BD1.800.
The chutneys and naan are refillable which we could not stop nibbling on. We quenched our thirst with a salt and sweet lassi which is buttermilk that helps with digestion and soothing the tummy after all the spice.
Although we were quite full, we could not leave without devouring a masala dosa and despite the food coma, which shortly followed, we were very happy we did.
The brand’s slogan, ‘a veggie passion’, rings true as it turned my carnivorous husband into a vegetable-eating machine. I finally found a way to get him to eat all his veggies like a big boy should.
The restaurant is open from 11.30am to 11pm on weekdays and from 7.30am to 11pm on weekends and public holidays. It delivers all food in sealed platters, keeping it hot and mess-free. The restaurant also offers catering for parties and functions. There is a banquet hall for birthday parties, conferences and private events.
For details, contact 17211911.
