The taste of 'mane'

MEALS APPEAL

If you happen to pass Sampige Road in Malleswaram, you will surely not miss Aalemane located at 18th Cross.

This eatery catches one’s attention through its interior design. The traditional designs on the walls give the place the perfect look of an aalemane, a sugarcane crushing unit present in villages for making jaggery. The board reads ‘Landmark for tasty food’ and the place offers a number of items like cakes, pastries, juices, ice creams, sandwiches, Chinese items, breakfast and meals.

Since the place offers everything except sugarcane juice, one wonders why it is named so. Mohan K, who looks after the shop, clarifies the doubt. “The place used to serve sugarcane juice earlier in different flavours. We couldn’t continue that for long because of hygiene issues. Later we decided to introduce a whole range of South Indian dishes and ice creams without changing its name,” he says.

Started by Jayashankar, the place offers everything a foodie wants. But it is most popular for its jolada rotti oota, an authentic North Karnataka meal. Priced at just Rs 65, the meal includes two rottis, ennegai (brinjal curry), kaalu palya (sprout masala), rice, rasam, sambar, four varieties of chutney powder, curd, salad, majjige menasu along with a sweet and a banana.

Mohan says that the cooks have been formally trained in the homely way of preparing food. “We keep changing the flavours of sambar everyday to cater to the customers coming from different states,” he adds. One cannot miss the special ice creams offered by Aalemane. People from different parts of the City rush to the place just to relish the 50 varieties of ice creams, cake fudges and pastries available here. The prices range from Rs 20 to Rs 90.

There are many loyal clients for the special and hot chocolate ice creams offered by the eatery. “I am a great fan of the hot chocolate fudge available here. The hot chocolate sauce, poured over vanilla ice cream and cashew nuts, tastes yummy,” exclaims Raviteja, a professional.

The eating point witnesses brisk business during weekends, particularly in the evening hours. But the ongoing construction work has affected the number of customers coming to the store, informs Mohan.

Located on 264, 18th Cross, Sampige Road, Malleswaram, the shop is open on all days from 7.30 am to 10 pm. For details, call 41279891.