Govinda's Restaurant- Iskcon, Juhu

So here we were, to experience a unique ONLY vegetarian Buffet restaurant for lunch and dinner based in Mumbai’s Juhu. The uniqueness lies in the fact that it is actually based in a temple called Iskon and makes EVERY food item without any onion and garlic. It is a case of sheer ignorance assuming that food without onion and garlic will be anything but tasty. But, really wanted to try this one.

                A board outside the restaurant displays “Todays Menu” with excitingly written dishes they serve for that day (Eg: Mazedaar Chole). When inside, you see white marble walls, photographs of Lord Krishna with fine encrypted design and Krishna chants being played in the background. And you realize you are in the temple premises and not a normal fine dine.

               You need to buy coupons for your Thali first (Rs. 350/-) and then head to your table.

 Starting with the welcome drinks- Rose Milk, Jalzeera, Mixed Juice and Chaas- Unlimited serving. The rose milk was little on the milkier side garnished with real rose petals. Jalzeera was good but nothing extra ordinary. Same goes for the mixed juice. The Chaas, however, was a perfect salt and sweet blend. Just Perfect!!

                An extremely simple Vegetable soup was served piping hot first. It felt like something full of nutrition is going down my system. So clean and tasty. Without any corn flour. Divine.  Moving on to the great spread of Starters and Salads. The Green salads and Bean (Mexican) Salads. Both good. In starters they had Tandoori Arbi, Banana Pakora and White Dhokla. All three made extremely well. To go with them was Green Chutney, Imli Chutney and Pickle.

                Moving on to the main course. They had “Mazedaar Chole” and Paneer Subzi. And Surprise Surprise!! They also had Thai vegetable gravy with Thai noodles. Without Garlic? Yes. How does one even differentiate this food from the ones with Onion and Garlic? The food is exquisite yet simple. In breads they had option of Puri, Bhatura, Roti and Paneer Methi Parath. And all four were amazingly well made. The Bhaturas were very light and soft and went well with the Chole.

                In rice, they served Vegetable Biryani, Plain rice and Corn-capsicum rice companied with the Dal Tadka, it was just the perfect thing ever.

                The dahi kadhi, not too sweet and not too sour and the Apple Raita to go with it. Both, superb!!

And then comes my favourite part, the Desserts. You have an option between Balushahi, Gulab Jamun and Malai Sandwich. To go with it is Fresh Strawberry ice cream, malai kulfi and chocolate ice cream. The Gulab Jamun were hot and soft. The Malai Sandwich was juicy and fresh and the Balushahi full of liberally poured Ghee. The fresh strawberry ice cream actually had real strawberries.

                All in all, Govinda just proves a point, that for food to be ravishingly good, it need not be spicy and buttery. Once in a while, quietly eating the simple tasty food, listening to Krishna chants and watching the Firangis enjoy their food, is what you need in life. No photography allowed so no yummy food pics this time :-)

                Simple. Tasty. Divine. Hare Rama Hare Krishna. The temple is also the place to visit for those who haven't been there yet :-) Let me your experience of the other dishes here and don't forget to share them.