Rotti oota @ Sri Basaveshwara Khanavali, Malleswara 8th cross

Chance of finding an authentic North Karnataka food in Chennai is impossible & if it exists it won't be that authentic! After having an authentic satvik Uttara Karnataka Bhakri (synonym of jolada rotti) oota prepared by my mother in my house (staple food of our house), i was craving for the Khanavali version of Uttara Karnataka oota. 

Recently I was in Bengaluru and had some important works that had to be done. Hours before boarding Vande Bharat express for the return journey to Chennai, I made up my mind that Uttara Karnataka oota is must.

I headed to Malleswara, a locality in Bengaluru which is a one stop shop for the north Bengalurians. After shopping, my stomach was asking me to go get some food as well as life! So, I decided to walk down the 8th cross of Malleswara which is a crowded street & a place where micro to large businesses happen throughout the year. After walking several meters, I arrived at Sri Basaveshwara khanavali. This is the branch of Sri Basaveshwara khanavali of Hubbali, which is serving the people for the last few decades.

Even though the branch in Malleswara is less than a decade old, it has earned a fame for serving the authentic Uttara Karnataka rotti oota. 

Usually, rotti oota is served on a thaat or thali in northern Karnataka. Here, to attract the people as well as to save water they have replaced the thali with plantain leaf. Plantain leaf was placed on the table & which was gently washed by sprinkling some water & wiping it thoroughly so that there won't be any dust on the leaf. 

Servers started serving the oota on the leaf, starting with a chutney made of radish & coconut. Then came jhunka, some raw vegetables, eggplant (brinjal) or badnekayi enne gayi, kaaLu palya, next a curry in which the main ingredient is sprouts & a salad which is also called as mosaru bhajji. They also served a cup of thick yoghurt and a glass of buttermilk or majjige. Uttara Karnataka oota is incomplete if you don't serve some of the pudis like shenga chutney pudi, gurreLLu pudi also the Ranjaka (chutney made by the chilly fruit). 

Now, Bhakri or jolada rotti announced "may I come in?" Just the way Rocky Bhai roared in KGF!! Piping hot jolada rotti landed on the organic plate where all the curries, salad, pudis & Ranjaka were served. Also 2 small cubes of butter were served, for a special purpose.

One cube of butter was thoroughly smeared on either sides of the rotti & a small Portion was delicately torn and took some gurreLLu pudi, a small portion of jhunka, some raw onions & greens, a pinch of Ranjaka & was rolled to savour the uttara Karnataka version of rolls or frankie! Burst of flavours filled inside the mouth, the spiciness of Ranjaka was being reduced by the jhunka as well as the butter. Also, the gram flour flavour from the jhunka made me feel that these people are not dependent on the readymade flour. Then comes the flavour of the raw veggies making this as the most healthy frankie in the earth.

Now, it's time to taste some badnekayi enne gayi along with rotti. The groundnut flavour which will be hiding in the enne gayi will be trying to open up but the brinjal tries to supress as well as try to distract us by showcasing it's extremely soft texture, and a burst of onion flavour also tries to suppress the groundnut flavour. After few moments you start feeling that roasty flavour but it will be overtaken by the spicy flavour of chillies. I can claim that this is one of the best enne gayi which i had in my life.

Time to taste some kaaLu palya, today the kaaLu palya had channa. Palya was not very spicy to me but well balanced in terms of spice and salt. On the other hand molake kaaLu palya, curry whose hero is sprouts was too simple with respect to ingredients, but it had all the potential to be a show stealer. I had to refrain from the second serving of all the curries, as I am not supposed to consume more than 100 grams of protein (in any form). Mosaru bhajji, Ranjaka & gurreLLu pudi came to rescue for the subsequent servings of the rotti. I also requested for the khadak rotti from the serving staffs and it was also served.  

After 3 soft rotti & 1 khadak rotti smeared with good amount of butter, time to have some anna or rice. Before Sambhar was served I made sure that, small portion of rice is dedicated for mixing with chutney & pudis along with some ghee. 

Time to have some Sambhar rice, on this particular day they had prepared the drumsticks sambar which was bit spicy, yet it was being reduced by the ghee. Drumsticks, tomatoes & toor dal were the main ingredients. Papad along with Sambar rice is like "what a combination, sir ji!"

Before ending a South Indian meal, curd rice is a must & i was surprised by the staffs. They served me a very special lemon pickle which is sweet, yet sour & also reminds you that I (pickle) am not a sweet pickle by showing it spicy side. I can easily give a verdict that curd rice and this pickle is like the couple who's wedding was decided in the heaven. 

No need of dessert after having that spicy rotti oota & Sambhar rice, this curd rice along with lemon pickle will not even make you feel of not having a dessert. Finally, I requested for a refill of majjige or buttermilk which helps in digestion as well as the one which helps our body to cool down. 

Hands were washed after the oota & they gave me a file along with a packet of paan. This file consists of the bill which I owe for having the delicious rotti oota at this establishment. ₹290/- including GST was the amount for an individual. One can have unlimited number of rottis along with unlimited servings of curries & pudis also unlimited servings of rice too. I refrained from the unlimited servings as I had to travel in sometime. 

Report card :

Taste : 9

Ambience: 8

Service: very quick, 10

Value for money: if you are having the capacity to belt full meals you can easily give 10

If you are in & around Malleswara 8th cross, Sri Basaveshwara Khanavali is just a few steps from where you are standing, which reminds me of a song, onde koogaLate composed by Sri Purandaradaasaru. 

Time to sign off from this post, please do share your thoughts in the feedback along with your name. These days I am unable to see who's pouring their valuable feedback in the comments section, because it's showing Anonymous uvacha!! Also, stay safe and healthy by having good food.