If you are craving for some good (udipi) vegetarian tiffin, then Hotel Lakshmisagar will leave you wanting for more. Infact,I would not have discovered this place had it not been for a family friend, a Udipi-ite herself, who took my family to the hotel. She knew the restuaranteurs and offered to treat my family to some mouth watering south-Indian cuisine. Typically, folks from Udipi, Karnataka run family-businesses. The hotel is located on L.B.Road, at the junction before the Adyar Telephone Exchange.

Every kind of tiffin is listed here. Different varieties of dosas like ELam dosai, Kal dosai, Paper roast, Ghee roast and other dosa varities are available. While the menu may seem typical of any south-Indian restaurant, Lakshmisagar stands-out because of its excellent presentation of the dishes, not to mention the delectable cuisine. Even to a pedestrian who is not a hard core foodie, the freshness of the dishes becomes apparent. A wonderful variety of chutneys are served with certain courses. You have the coconut chutney, which is a pure white, while the beetroot chutney is a deep pinkish-red. This is folowed by the coriander chutney which, is an olive green.The chutneys and the main course is also followed by a cup of hot sambhar.

Picturise this: Hot hot onion rava dosai with ghee drizzled on top, the caramelized onions gleaming through the coat of ghee, accompanied by white coconut chutney, green coriander chutney and the deep pinkish-red beet root chutney. And a cup of sambhar.Cest la vie!

You guessed it! Onion Rava Dosai is a hot favourite of mine. I would also recommend Kuzhi Paniyaram, which is mind-blowing. Mind you, some of the Chettinad menu may take time to prepare.

There is also a special dish of the day scribbled on the board at the entrance. If you happen to step in when Tomato Omellete is served, consider yourself blessed.And don’t forget to order it! Another must have is a good dose of fresh coffee, without which, your stay at Laksmisagar is incomplete. For the non-caffiene lovers, Lakshmisagar has a fruit juice stall, so you can go ahead and freak out on the fresh fruit juices avaialble there.

And here is the best part: Eat more and pay less!