Year 2002, my boss called me….We are all going out for lunch today….be ready at 1:30 sharp….
I was scared as was quite new in the office hardly knew any one in the all-male-office….to say I was hesitant would be a joke and to top it all my colleagues told me** “We are going to a Gujarati thali joint”.
*At that point of time I was very new to Gujarat & was under the impression that all Gujarati food is sweet, something which wasn’t very exciting for me….
So fighting my urge to stay back & order aloo ka paratha I joined the group….
We were welcomed by an army of waiters….we sat down and the plates & katori’s in front of us were turned up….
Dunno how many katori’ but their numbers & the line of waiters waiting to serve us managed to put me off big time. Though am a foodie but seeing that much food made me feel that my already half full stomach is full….
But the real story begins now….the waiters were in a hurry to deliver their stuff……
As we say in Hindi ‘Who hum pe toot pade’
In a flurry of activity my plate was full of 4 vegetables, two sweets, Farsan, salad, chutney’s, Chaas, roti, pudi, daal, kadhi and the list goes on…
The food was tempting and all my inhibitions were cast aside and I started stuffing in big time….
Lo-behold, I was already full within 10 mins and could see my favourite matar pulao coming in but my stomach said a big no to it….
Anyways, when we came out I had over eaten big time and still felt that had not eaten so many things….
However my boss ka love for thali meant that this wasn’t to be my only meeting with the thali….whenever we had a meeting we were taken there which meant
[] I started observing people
[] I started warming up to the idea of thali
[] I devised ways to eat more than I could think of;) bole to vasooling the money
So here I come to share some thumb rules to enjoy the thali eating experience
*Plan Baby Plan
Am not asking you to plan the baby, am asking you to plan the visit to a thali joint well in advance.
Fasting is the key
Bole to, skip a meal or have a very light meal before the planned thali visit, empty stomach takes in more;-)
Afternoon Siesta
Prefer going in lunch time. The reason is very simple
We used to enjoy the lunch when taken out by boss but used to curse him because we had to be attentive in the meeting;-) which was next to impossible
Placement is Important
Prefer taking the corner most seat because it means
It’s just the beginning
Control the urge to start eating as soon as the first dish is served. It would be better to get the plate loaded and eat later. This ways you can plan & eat the most loved dish more.
Balance it off
I love pudi’s but if I eat them only then I know that my tummy will get filled too quickly. So please balance the items this ways that you can eat more;-)
It’s Priceless
Your psychology will say ki since its unlimited & we are paying in bulk then we should take whatever they are serving. Control that urge. Take only what you can eat…benefits?
Don’t think of Money
Initially I used to think that we pay way too much for one thali & we don’t eat even half worth it, which meant either I used to eat too much to vasoolo the money or I didn’t enjoy eating.
But later I realized that the variety we are getting for that lump some amount is worthy….so forget the price and enjoy the food.
Though have largely eaten Gujarati thali I think the above rules will hold good for all kinds of thali’s.
~My love Story~
My boss made me an addict & I fell in love with the thali concept because
Its value for money
You get to taste so many different things & in brief the whole cuisine of the state.
I love the way these people function. There will be a manager who keeps an eye on the entire customers and you just need to catch his eyes if you want something. Then he clicks his finger, 2 fingers would mean pudi, three would mean subzi etc etc…somehow this way of functioning has always fascinated me.
In Gujarat I have enjoyed thali’s ranging from Rs. 50 – 350. Each experience has been different.
For e.g. there is a place called “Vishala” in Ahmedabad where the whole set up is like a village. It’s a wonderful place and should be in the itinerary of Ahmedabad visit.
Thaali food is something which I now associate with Gujarat but am sure every one of us has different associations with it depending on where we all come from etc. Would love to know different experiences in the comment section:-)
*This review is dedicated to all the foodie’s of MS & for one Special MSian who confuses my book reviews with bhook reviews….hope your bhook is satisfied now;-)
PS I didn’t yawn today…;-)