Vatica

Vatica Restaurant Review:

Originally from Gujarat in west India, the Vallabh family launched Vatica, meaning "hut." The atmosphere is bare-bones. Art portraits representing lovely Indian womanhood adorn the walls. The founding couple retired, leaving the restaurant in the hands of a nephew. Although good, the straightforward, substantial but typical vegetarian fare is not as inventive as when the restaurant first opened. We miss the flavorful eggplant selections, for instance. At lunch, as before, a thali is presented with dishes in little cups on the usual steel tray, a mound of basmati rice in the center. A sweet item always is included, as is a warming soup. Beans, lentils, potatoes and cauliflower give the dishes heft, and guests are always offered more. The dinner menu presents samosas, sandwiches and roll-ups, and the thali is available, too. Expect vegan options as well. Sweets, such as the dumplings called gulab jamun finished with sugar syrup and ice cream, come in small servings for a small amount of money. No alcohol, and you can't bring any.