Friday, December 01, 2006

GOVINDA, PURE-VEG.RESTAURANT AT ISKON.



I had read an article in Times of India about why pure vegetarian persons should not eat in the restaurant where non-veg. food is also served. After reading, we were in search of good, quite pure vegetarian restaurant with relaxed atmosphere, and one day discovered Govinda.

Let me clarify, first thing first, I strongly believe in “Aadhi Potoba nantar Vithoba” (First worship stomach and then God). But if some place offers you both i.e. Swarth and Patmarth (selfishness and unselfishness), what should be one’s reaction? I would love to visit the place again and again... Lord Krishna’s devotee’s like us visits ISKONS Temple Near Babulnath Temple, not only for spiritual reasons, where the mind gets much needed peace, but also to be followed with the great treat for the stomach at Govinda, Pure Vegetarian Restaurant attached, where after cooking food, Karma-free, spiritually sanctified preparations, it is first offered to ShreeKrishna as Naivedhaya and then served as Prasad in the restaurant. For value of course. But let me assure you that eating here is a real gastronomical delight, only compulsion is you have to listen to bhajans while enjoying food.

Vridavan Lhavaan, Belvan, Bhandirvan, Madhuvan, Talavan, Mahavan, Bahulavan Kumudava, Kamyavan, Khadiravan, Bhadravn, Gehevarvan, Hold on Hold on, no, no no, it’s not the names of the places in and around Mathura, Vrindavan. My Dear, those are names of Dosa’s and Special Dosa’s, e.g. Mahavan means Dosas with cheddar, fresh cream. Mayonnaise, lettuce and Cashew nut gravy and Kumudavan means dosa with flavors explosion, hakka noodles and stir-fried vegetables in Szechwan sauce and so on.

Wow, Togetherness. South India and China.

You can start your course of action with Mocktails and Nachos and Tacos and veg. crispy as Appetizers, followed by Sorbas or Soups and Salads like Penne Apple or Smoked or Caperse or Waldorf. While selecting main course, one will observe that China has already captured this market also. In Chinese cuisine, one can go for Stir-fries and Rice and Noodles as usual. Well, you could be always “Be Indian, Buy Indian” type. Ready Steady Go for Punjabi Dishes ranging from Paneer Pasanda to Tikka Masala, from Veg.Makhanwa to Veg, Handi, Methi Mutter Malai, Malai Kifta so on with Paratha and Nan and Tandoori Rotis along with Pulao and Biryani.

Wait, Please Wait for Statutory Warning, Do not fill your stomach fully at this point of time, you must keep open space for Ice Creams, Roasted Almond, Tender Coconut, Anjeer Walnut, Kesar Pista, Kaju Kishmis, Black Grape, Sitaphal and Litchi. or Cakes and Gulab Jamun, Rosgulla, Rasmalai.

On second thought, you could always bypass all the above stuff for Authentic Italian thin-crust Pizza’s. Classic Pizzas, Extreme Exotic Pizzas, World Premium Pizzas, Ultimate Specialty Pizzas like Govinda’s Supremo, Golaka Express, Ananta Szechwan.

After all India and Italy has very close relationship.

Hare Krishn , Krishn, Krishn, Hare, Hare.

2 comments:

Varsha said...

Oh ya I love eating at Govinda....lovely food and I like the fact you are not supposed to waste food....good habit

Anonymous said...

I wish, the ISKON temple in Pune had a restaurant too. My father would be so happy. He being a puuuuuuure vegetarian always avoids going to places where meat too is served.
Or shall I just check out the ISKON here? Maybe they have opened it and I don't know about it? Hmmm...