Down to earth'

A popular place for Jolada Roti meals is Kamat Yatri Nivas. Step into the fourth floor of the hotel and you can hear sounds of tapping signifying that jolada roti is being made.'tap' 'tap' 'tap' - a synchronised rhythm - and in a romantic sort of way, a prelude to a hearty jolada roti meal.

Meals are served on clean banana leaves. Pickle, papad, a piece of onion, a big chunk of butter and a few stems of Menthe Soppu (Methi leaves) are placed on it. Now Menthe Soppu isn't something that is usually served in Bangalore hotels. But it is supposed to be an accompaniment to Jolada Roti meal and it does add to the taste.

Next come the entrees - Engayee (a brinjal or capsicum curry), Soppina Palya (a greens dish) and another vegetable curry which changes everyday. Engayee and Soppina Palya are a must to a jolada roti meal. Engayee is a delicious and aromatic concoction of brinjal.

Finally comes the jolada roti. A piece of the buttered roti dipped in any of the vegetable dishes tastes heavenly! The jolada roti at Yatri Nivas tastes much better than in other hotels. This is because Yatri Nivas uses a bigger variety of jola which makes a much better tasting jolada roti.

Besides the unlimited rotis, there's rice as well. With a generous spoon of Ramanagaram Tuppa (ghee) and Bijapur Sambhar on it, you really can't ask for more. And to add to the meal are the different kinds of chutney pudis (chutney powder), the delicious, thick curd, a glass of masala butter milk, a sweet and fruit salad with ice cream. Gosh!!! After the meal, there's more waiting - a bida (pan, areca nut concoction) and a banana. Very significant considering they facilitate digestion.

Special Jolada Roti meal and the Ordinary Jolada Roti meal are priced at Rs 80/- and Rs 50/- respectively. The price may seem a little steep, but it is worth it. And as Vijay Lakshmi, HR, Purchases and Quality control officer of Yatri Nivas says, "We provide quality and consistency. One reason for our food being so popular among the people of Bangalore." The jolada roti meal timings are from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm.

In the neighbourhood of Yatri Nivas is a mess at the Maharashtra Mandal Nivas Trust where they serve only meals with jolada roti. An ideal place to go to if you are in a hurry. Each meal costs Rs 20/- and serves two bhakris (as they call jolada roti), rice, rasam, sambhar, curd, and other dishes of a typical South Indian meal. It is open from 11:30 to 2:30 pm and from 7 to 9 pm. Just outside the mess is a Fast Food counter for quick dosas, chaat and Gobi Manchurian. This is open from 7 to 11 am and 4:30 to 8:30 pm.

Farmer's Cafeteria at JC Road and Basaweswanagara also serves good jolada roti and ragi mudde meals.

Address:
Kamat Yatri Nivas
1st Cross, Gandhinagar
Bangalore - 560009
Phone:
Maharashtra Mandal Nivas Trust
2nd Cross, Gandhinagar
Bangalore - 560003
Phone: 226 2176

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