Jan 13, 2003 12:14 PM
7342 Views
(Updated Jan 13, 2003 09:01 PM)
Perched just on the corner at Ahimsa Marg is this quaint roadside eatery simply known as Mani's Dosa's. No sign board to proclaim this existence except the myriad cars parked haphazardly around the intersection waiting to be served fresh dosa's and the glow from the incandescent lights and a haze of white steam from his sizzling hot tawa.
Choose from a multiple variety of innovative dosas that can put the Chinese into a quandary. Yes, besides the simple plain and masala dosas, he serves a mean noodle dosa and Manchurian dosa that simply melt in your mouth..that's if you haven't burnt your tongue still. Didn't I warn you ?-They are piping hot !..No one told me and I burnt my tongue because I couldn't wait to get my fangs on them..so eager I was after having waited 15 minutes with the tantalising whiff of heavenly dosas which made my stomach growl in anticipation.
And the sight of the colourfully dressed kids darting around those Santros and Maruti's with the parents howling at them to first eat and then do 'masti' But kids are kids and will do just the opposite.
The 'memsaabs' and their doting 'saabs' do their utmost for being served at a priority but this man ''MANI'' is a cool cucumber if you ask me. He patiently jots down the Vehicle number on a Pink slip and calmly notes down your order.
Then you have the excruciating wait of about 10 to 15 minutes maximum ( thats the most he takes to serve no matter how much the waiting is)for your appetizing dosas to reach you in the comfy of your car or on your bonnet which is swiftly converted into a makeshift table with the help of a 500ml bottle of Pepsi. What ?- You haven't enjoyed a street side mini meal on the bonnet of your cute little Maruti 800 ? Just wedge a standing 500 ml PET bottle of Pepsi between the bonnet and the frame of the radiator and you have the most instant rock steady table ready for you in a jiffy.
The 'Cheese' dosas are really something and try their Palak Paneer dosa also while you are at it. Wait, there's more where that came from. Try the 'Uttapas' and the Rawa dosa and the 'chopsuey' dosa and the 'paneer Mysore' and the 'Putla' dosa and the 'spring-roll' dosa and the ' cheese-paneer-chilly' dosa and the .. had enough ? .. I sure have !
This chap Mani has the knack of concocting the most delicious dosas from the basic ordinary everyday ingredients which we are so used to. Price ? Its a steal ! All dosas are relatively priced at just between Rs.30/- to Rs.45/- maximum. And sumptous too - and mouthwatering - and delicious - and piping hot - and fresh - and sinfully aromatic - and .. arre bus bhai bus karo .. ab chakh ke dekho to jaano !
Parking shouldn't cause much of a problem ' cause you just follow your instincts and street smart attitude to slink into an impossible crevice. Bisleri Water and softdrinks are served. A 'kulfi-wala' is also very non-chalantly parked just adjacent and rounds off the satisfactory burp with a sweet slurp. Enjoy. Regards Raja (C) All rights reserved
