I happen to be alone for this weekend, and didn’t feel like eating alone. Called my buddy Jake who was without wife then too. Texted Jake…”U in for Indian food?” We picked the Udipi Cafe at 2100 N. University Dr. in Sunrise
Udipi Cafe, a vegetarian Indian… & kosher restaurant!
Do you cringe when you read the word vegetarian? Stop it! You won’t miss the meat at all. India with its many varied cultures is a country with a number of different approaches to food, including vegetarian. I don’t know where the kosher part came from, but they are certified.
This is not the place to impress a woman on the first date. No fancy décor, romantic lighting, or fine service. This is a place to take that girl once your sure she’s not a snob. The food is terrific , the place is clean, and that’s enough for us.
This is different. Not the kind of food the average Floridian is familiar with. Here’s a quick foodie guide to Indian food: The South Indian Thali dinner consisted of different dishes including eggplant, beans, potato & peas, sweet carrots, spicy soup, dessert, and roti. The blend of spices will blossom onto your palette like a fine wine that causes you to not care about the bland, unexciting décor.
Back to my story,
Jake was already at a table having a Samosa appetizer when I arrived. He offered me one. Delicious crust. Wonderful peas and potato filling. Great start to what was to be a big meal.
While munching the Samosa, I was perusing the menu and decided that I wanted a large variety of exotic flavors. I asked our waiter for suggestions. He guided me to and through South Indian Thali. This wonderful suggestion offered me more than a dozen different options and tastes. It came served on a large round silver tray containing Dosai, Roti, Rice, Sambar, Daal, Kootu, Avail, Poriyal, Rasam, Curd, Pickle, Papad, Payusam. The look of confusion on my face was obvious. Our friendly waiter was nice enough to explain every single item to me:
Dosai is a crepe made from rice batter and black lentils. It’s rather large and you break a piece off and munch on it. Much the same way as you would a piece of bread. Roti is a flat bread. We also ordered Naan another flat bread. Bread, bread, bread? Trust me. Try them all. They’re all delicious.
Sambar is a lentil-based vegetable stew or chowder based on a broth made with tamarind. DAAL is lentil, pea or various types of beans. Kootu is an Indian stew made with lentils and vegetables. Avail is a thick mixture of vegetables and coconut, seasoned with coconut oil and curry leaves and is considered an essential part of the vegetarian feast. Poriyal is made by shallow frying shredded or diced vegetables along with spices. Rasam is a South Indian soup.
Every single dish was spectacular. You will find yourself eating them with one of the various pieces of bread that you will rip apart and spoon the food onto. You’ll eat here like you eat at home with careless abandon. Everything served has a family style atmosphere very much like many Chinese restaurants. You’ll find yourself and your table mates probably trying each other’s dishes.
For those of you who are Vegans rather than vegetarians, you’ll be happy to know that the menu is clearly labeled so you’ll know which dishes are vegan and which are not.
To my readers who have a carnivorous leaning, click here to learn the difference between Vegan and Vegetarian.
It’s weekday lunch buffet is amazing. You’ll just grab a plate and serve yourself. The dishes are not marked. So unless you’re from Mumbai (the correct name for Bombay. It was a British occupation thing) you probably won’t know what you’re serving yourself but don’t worry, just eat.
The Udipi Cafe is located at 2100 N. University Dr. in Sunrise, Florida between Sunrise Blvd and Oakland Park Blvd. They’re open from 11:30 to 9:30, Sunday through Thursday and until 10:00 on Friday and Saturday nights. They do close mid-day from 3:00 to 5:30 Monday through Friday. No reservations are necessary. If you like you can call them at (954) 748-5660
Enjoy!
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