Rangoli, Saravana Bhavan, T.Nagar, Chennai

Every time there is a plan to go to Rangoli, I tell myself that I am not really hungry and I don't need the Thali. Then something happens when I see the Thali menu card and I count myself into the Thali gang, and always come out a happy soul.

This place would top the list for authentic Gujarati/Rajasthani food when it comes to taste, ambience, service and choice of thali and a-la-carte. The thali starts with pudina-jal jeera pani, dhokla and two other short eats (veg cutlets, kachodis, etc.) served with mint and sweet chutney. Then comes the main course with rotlis, theplas, puris served with about four sabjis (paneer, aloo, bhindi, mixed vegetables, etc.), two dals, kadi, curd, two sweet dishes (kheer, shrikhand, halwa, etc.), marinated bajji mirchi, butter milk and sweet paan. Each of these dishes have a distinct and authentic taste. Some of the dishes have the typical Gujarati sweet taste. Its your lucky day if the thali includes the Moong Dal Khichdi. If not, for those who do not plan to frequent this place, would highly recommend ordering this dish. This hot khichdi served with warm ghee just melts in your mouth.

By now you would be holding on to your tummy and greed makes you want to somehow polish off every last bit of the khichdi. You shake your head vigourously when the waiter wants to serve you plain rice.

The a la carte menu offers a great variety as well. Baingan bharta is recommended.

The service is suprisingly pleasant, unlike the other restaurants in Saravana Bhavan. With Rajasthani puppets, sketches and bright colours, the ambience is cheerful as well.

Mansukh's,T.Nagar,Chennai

If you are looking for some authentic Gujarati/Rajasthani meals, this is one of the few places in Chennai. The meals includes dhoklas, rotlis, puris, sweet and normal dal, kadi, three sabjis, khichdi, plain rice, curd rice and a sweet. All served piping hot and unlimited. There are times when one of the sabjis goes overboard with masala and oil, but thats only with respect to their other dishes and not comparing them with the other run off the mill North Indian restaurants around. Ideally go there for a Sunday brunch, eat your heart out, come back home and sleep.

Mansukh also makes decent chats, and some quick meal deals like roti and sabji of the day. Their Aloo Parathas are sinful. They also sell good sweets and Gujarati snaks like Khakdas, Theplas, Ghatiyas.

The only minus point is the parking space or the lack of it.