The thought of sticking to a completely
vegetarian diet might be a difficult one for non-vegetarian people, but the
vegetarians and members of the Hindu community who observe the month of Shravan
feel otherwise. In fact, the number of delicious vegetarian items that come to
the fore during Shravan can have anyone coming back for more. Catering to this
change in diet of the masses and those who enjoy dining outside are various
restaurants that have started serving Shravan thalis, the contents of which
vary with every restaurant.
“When it comes to introducing the Shravan
thali, one must know the concept well as it is the holy month for Hindus and
many avoid eating garlic and onion too. Thus, we have to design our menus in
such a way that their favourite items are included while sticking to the
norms,” says Shripad V Shetye, owner of Anantashram, Vasco da Gama.
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Anantashram has introduced the Shravan
thali for the first time this year. Their thali comprises daal, varan,
ambadyache raite, tambdi bhaji, mugachyo ghati, neerpanas kappa, patoleo,
hooman, mangane/kheer, puri/roti curd, papad, pickle and coconut curry.
Restaurant Jalsa at Resort Rio in Arpora
offers traditional Gujarati and Rajasthani thalis. The thali menu changes every
day and is different for both lunch and dinner. The chefs (Maharaj) adopt the
traditional method of cooking and no artificial flavours are added. Jalsa has
hired chefs from Gujarat and Rajasthan to ensure that the local flavours are
maintained. Jain food is also available. Jalsa’s Rajasthani thali comprises
Chaas, Sharbat, Farsaan, Ker Sangri, Gattey ki subzi, 3 main dishes, Rajasthani
dal, Kheer, Khoobar Roti, Chatey ki roti, Makai ki roti, Chawal and Pulao,
salad, pickle, papad and chutney. The Royal Thali comprises Chaas, Sharbat and
Fresh Juice, three Farsaan ,one Kathol, Paneer dish with gravy, three single
vegetable preparations, Saag (Palak or methi), Kadhi, Dal, 5 Indian flatbreads,
3 rice dishes, papad, pickle, chutney, salad, four sweets misthaan, Mukhwas.
The Dal Baati Thali has Dal, Baati, Churma, Gattey ki Subzi, Lehsun ki chutney,
Salad, Papad and Aachar. The good old Regular Thali comprises Chaas, Sharbat,
two farsaan, two dry vegetables, two vegetarian dishes with gravy, one kadi,
one dal, salad, pickle, chutney, papad, three varieties of roti and rice, two
desserts and pastry or ice cream.
Forrest Veg Food Court in Panjim has been
offering Shravan thali for the past three years. “This year too we have Shravan
thali, our specialty is that each day of the week one can savour different
sweet items besides Shravan thali; Mondays will have ‘payas, Tuesday ‘kheer’,
Wednesday ‘mugache kann’, Thursday ‘Mangane’, Friday ‘Saji, Saturday ‘Patolyo’
and Sunday ‘Godshe’.
“Our menu varies with every day of the
week. It consists of all Goan traditional dishes like moogachyo gathi,
amadyache karma, kelyachi kappa, Toranche sasav, khatkhate, alsanache tonnak,
tendlyache lonche, vyange rawa fry, bimblache lonche, aalwachye tonak,
padwalchi bhaji and biya bhaji,” says Sanjay Joshi, manager of the Forrest Veg
Food Court. The hotel offers only lunch service.
Hotel Fidalgo, on 18th June Road, Panjim
also offers Shravan thali, this year being the second year. This year’s thali
comprises Masala Doodh, Elaichi Nimbu pani, doodhi halwa, sitafal rabadi, fruit
custard, singhara aloo pakoda, coconut patties, cucumber salad, vrat wale aloo,
khatta meetha doodhi, arbi masala, kuttu gatha kadi, kache kele ki chips bhaji,
singhare ka chila, rajgira bhakari, kuttu ki puri and vrai bhaat.
