The set menu of Gujarat, Rajasthani, Punjabi thalis invariably contain a salad, pickle, chutneys, papad and buttermilk, delicious veg and lentil curries, and luscious mithais. Farsans, a variety of handcrafted rotis served with dollops of clarified butter, followed by khichdi all beckon you to relish the regional favourites of our country. The rotational menu relies on festivals and seasonal vegetables. Along with pindi chana, Rajasthani dal batti churma or Gujarati dal dhokli with jaggery, almost all thali places serve aam ras or aamrakhand in summer; sarson ka saag, undhiyo and ker sangri in winter; and bhajiyas or pakoras during monsoon.
Maharaja Bhog
The gujju-Marwari meal here is hearty. Mysore ring dhokla with a blob of coconut chutney in the centre, peru thepla and palak chaat are inviting. Fresh paneer parathas, tasty soya mutter kheema, and Kathiyawadi undhiyu to name a few, are simply appetising. Save some place for their luscious mithais like mohanthal, malpua with rabdi, gulab jamun, jalebis, halwas and sheeras. Even the meetha pan offered post meal tastes like dessert.
The Class Thali
Guests leave the restaurant with a happy, full belly thanks to a combo of North Indian subzis, Maharashtra's kothimbir vadi, Gujarat's barfi dhokla, meetha kadhi, undhiyo, and Rajasthani dal batti churma, or seasonal vegetables like ker sangri. Lip-smacking sweets on rotation are custard fruit salad, jalebi with almond slivers, sheera, basundi, gulab jamun, kheer, mung dal halwa, shrikhand, or phirni. Attentive service makes you feel at home. Meetha paan is offered as a digestive.
Khandani Rajdhani
Guests are greeted with a diya thali, chandan tilak and ‘muh meetha' with mini laddoos. Gujarati and Rajdhani specialties rule here. Crunchy bharwan shimlamirch chaat, a deviation from the regular ones, is a welcome addition with sweet and crunchy farali pattice. Mung dal chilla and aloo parathas are on the spicier side. A three desserts fare is offered to the sweet-toothed patrons. They serve vrat thali during fasting months.
Bhagat Tarachand
For a robust Punjabi meal, this eatery puts forth Special and Jain Limited Thalis at pocket-friendly prices with substantial servings of each dish. 3 rotis, 2 subzis—one of paneer and another of farm fresh vegetables on a rotational basis, dal fry with a dash of butter, pulao, mix raita and gulab jamun or rasgulla along with chaas makes for a wholesome meal. Jain thali consists of jeera rice and boondi raita. Fancy drinking chaas from a beer bottle—‘Kutchi beer/chaas' is famous here for the subtle spices and cooling effect (at an extra charge). A la carte menu is available.
Delhi Highway
This restaurant scores with its plush darbar-like interiors.The lavish North Indian thali contains tamatar shorba followed by kebab platter, panipuri shots, and scrumptious bhalla papdi chaat. Pre-plated thali arrives with raita, salad, subzis dewani handi, methi mutter malai, chana pindi, dal Delhi Highway, mixed veg kulcha and tandoori roti. Creamy kesari kheer and yummy jalebis with rabdi are to die for. Fond of sweet lassi? Don't miss their best ever kulhad lassi garnished with almonds and pistas, at extra charges.
Thackers
Fresh, homely Gujarati food in a serene ambiance can be relished at this legendary thali place. Silver plated thali and gleaming bowls are as much a visual delight as the food served in them. Patti samosa, dhokla, fluffy puris and rotis with 3 types of vegetables, dal and kadhi are sumptuous. The zest of kokum and jaggery in a combo of pulses in kathol calls for a large helping. Jain options are available too. A pre-note for dessert lovers—thali here comes with a limited serving of sweet.
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