The traditional, vegetarian Bangalore Darshinis are the best places to have piping-hot morning breakfast. They serve South Indian food, and I love to eat the fluffy idlis, crispy wadas, and yummy dosas along with a hot cup of filter coffee. There is something so wonderful about waking up early in the morning and driving on Bangalore’s roads. The roads are traffic free, the parking is easy to find, and the chirping of birds is clearly audible.
Then head to a Darshini to have a nutritious, hot breakfast. I love the open kitchen counter with huge cauldrons brimming with sambar, chutney, and other things prepared freshly. It is an art to see the chef prepare dosas, which turn out perfectly crispy. They have a beautiful ritual with making dosas. The large tava is doused with a sprinkling of oil. Then water is poured on it to cool the tava just a little. Since mine was no-oil dosa, he wiped the tava with a duster cloth. In some places, I have seen them use a big broom too :). Then he ladled dosa batter on to the tava and spread it in a circular. motion. While cooking, it is splattered with red chutney and a potato filling. Expertly folded, it is served, yummy! Your Masala Dosa is ready.
It is then served in a steel plate atop a banana leaf. In earlier days, plates were not used and people ate on the hygienic banana leaves. which were just disposed off after every meal. And, the guy who prepares filter coffee does so like an artist. He expertly pours boiling hot sweetened milk into the coffee brew to give you a frothing tumbler of coffee, the way it is traditionally served. I am not a South Indian, but I love South Indian food!
Light on the wallet, yet rich in nutrition, freshness and taste, these are the places a hungry Bangalorean turns to for a quick filling breakfast or thali. My favorite one is Adigas though I frequent many others. It seems that many of these are closing shop in the face of competition from larger eateries. I hope they continue to function, and people like me will keep patronizing them. They are a part of the culture of the city, and those who visit here must make it is a point to visit these.
P.S. The picture is courtesy Pictures India. It is available for free.
Rachna says 
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