Finding an excellent South-Indian eatery in Punjab that breaks the stereotypical vibe of such a restaurant is like finding a needle in a haystack. P and I have been frequenting restaurants serving South-Indian food in Tricity. But, the vibe of all those restaurants and eateries have been almost similar, borderline stereotypical with temple photos plastered all around and brassware for food. What’s always missing is capturing the true essence of South Indian food. Thankfully, that is over due to this new South Indian place, Little IDLI Mohali.
One evening, our friends took us to 3B2 for dinner, and we stumbled upon Little IDLI. And, let me tell you the tale of how we found an authentic South-Indian restaurant in Punjab and fell in love with it!
Little IDLI Mohali: Lively & Vibrant Ambience
Source: PrinkledThe expectations when North Indians walk into a South Indian eatery, for the longest time, have been quite a cliche. We have always imagined South Indian eateries with walls adorned with photos of temples, food presented in brassware, and an ambience that exudes an old-school minimalist vibe. But, the first time we walked into Little IDLI, we were pleasantly surprised at how amazingly they had broken all these cliches.
Source: PrinkledA chic, almost fine-dining-like vibe greets you as you walk into this quaint South Indian restaurant in Mohali. The liveliness of the ambience is all thanks to the use of vibrant colours and beautiful wallpapers. The cute caricatures of a man and woman dressed in traditional South-Indian outfits just leave you smiling every time you look at them. I couldn’t stop saying, ‘Oh this is so cute’, ‘That is adorable’, all the while we were sitting at Little IDLI Mohali. The lighting also adds charm to this place, and we loved it!
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But, the food was still to be savoured. Let me tell you how that surprised us too!
South Indian Food Done Right!
Source: PrinkledWhen we began perusing Little IDLI Mohali’s menu, we were surprised. It was brief and specific, with only authentic South-Indian treats for us to pick from. But, what surprised us, even more, were the prices. Keeping them as low as the food being served at a South-Indian canteen, Little IDLI Mohali certainly had our attention. But, it also made me worried about the taste. What if, it doesn’t taste good? What if, the low prices mean, average taste? All these thoughts began plaguing my mind. But, we went ahead and placed the order-Ghee Rava Masala Dosa, Ghee Masala Dosa, Ghee Set Dosa, Bangalore Special Ghee Thatte Idli and Filter Coffee.
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Source: PrinkledThe servers here will also leave you smiling as they are all traditionally dressed in Dhoti and Shirts. On top of it, they all have a South Indian accent and are extremely friendly. It is a delight to interact with them and feel their passion for the traditional treats they’re about to serve you. The service is also pretty quick and the staff takes care of each of your needs in almost a jiffy. Our food was served to us in about 15-20 minutes and, boy oh boy, the look certainly left us baffled.
Source: PrinkledThe dosas looked different from the usual paper-thin dosas we Punjabis have been subjected to for years. And, they were also thicker and crispier. We began our South Indian odyssey and were pleasantly surprised. The Ghee Rava Masala Dosa and Ghee Masala Dosa were delicious and, to be honest, surprising as well. Thicker, crispier and more filling than the usual dosa we have, it made me rethink my image of this staple South Indian treat. The Ghee Set Dosa was as authentic as it can be and was served with Sambar, chutney and Khurchan. Light, airy and tasty, it left us salivating for more. The sambar, though left us a little confused, considering we’re all used to the tanginess. It was on the sweeter side and took its own sweet time to grow on us.
Source: PrinkledBut, the real stars were the Bangalore Special Ghee Thatte Idli and Filter Coffee. The idli was served with South Indian masala, Sambar and coconut chutney and it was something we’d never tasted. The filter coffee went perfectly well with this authentic South Indian meal and we enjoyed every bit of the aromatic brew. Honestly, this meal at Little IDLI Mohali was an eye-opener for someone like us, who has never visited the South Indian part of our beautiful country. The true taste of South Indian food left us appreciative and excited to head down there and try it in its homeland!
Prinkled’s Parting Thoughts
Little IDLI Mohali is a delightful haven for South Indian food enthusiasts in Tricity. At first, the taste will feel very different. You may also doubt whether this is the authentic South Indian you came in for, considering we’re all used to the North Indian style of dosas, sambar and idlis. But, when you try it out, you’ll find out the difference. Now, whether you like it or hate it, is completely up to your pallette. I, for one, certainly enjoyed it and would love to indulge in it again!
If you’ve been to Little IDLI Mohali, do let us know if you liked it. If not, do check this place out and tell us your take on it in the comments!
Amazing amazing article. I was waiting for this one!
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