Address: Gramin Raheja Arcade, Koramangala 8 th Block, Near Citibank ATM, Close to Forum Shopping Mall, Bangalore – 34
Cuisine: North Indian vegetarian
Ratings: Food: * * * *
Ambience: * *
½ Service: * * *
Economy: * * * ½
Gramin serves the best North Indian food in the town I have ever found amongst all the restaurants I have visited in Bangalore (I swear my mouth is watering when I am writing this article, I must go there tonight for sure). I suggest it as a must-visit for every food lover. You name a dish, and it’s in their menu and that leaves your heart yearning for more, even after you are full. All the food junkies and their tummies will enjoy and wait eagerly to have weekend dinners at this place. The restaurant is also one of the smaller but one of the better organized restaurants I have ever been to in my life.
Seating is limited however and since people love eating here, there is often a waiting crowd seen outside, usually sitting on the stairs and chatting before they get to taste the wonderful food. Best part is that the restaurant has made arrangements to solve this problem too. People can come in, specify the number of seats required and give their orders too. An approximate time when a table will be available will be conveyed to you and as soon as you pop inside there is food served to you in less than 10 minutes.
Also take away food has a special discount of 10%. So buy your food and eat at home, save money and also avoid the waiting time. The tables are jammed in this two level restaurant. Swarms of waiters will be moving all around you once you sit inside. You are advised to just enjoy the food and ambience. Gramin with its colorful mats, ethnic interiors, brass coated utensils and old movie music is a place which steers away from Palak Paneer and Methi Malai Mutter routine to serve some authentic home style food. Most dishes here are low on oil and allow the flavor of the dishes to shine through. Try any dish there and you will find it the best for your taste buds. Some suggestions are tawa gobhi/karela for starters and Bombay aloo, biscuit paratha, garlic naan, haryali daal (the list just goes on…) for the main course. Do try the jal jeera for sure. It may also be served to you while you are waiting outside for your turn to get in.
There is a quick Thali available for lunch too. A good homely food after a weekend shopping spree in the evening with your friends and family at Gramin is very refreshing, and above all quite economical. A group of 6 people with full stomachs will cost around Rs. 400 - Rs. 600 only.
Niranjan Bendre