Curry that tastes like home

Affordable meal

Konark Family Restaurant is a saviour for college students living in and around Mathikere. In the last three years of its existence, the eatery is known best for its affordability and food that tastes just like home.

There are vegetarian and non-vegetarian options in plenty, though it is the Bengali preparation of fish items and the thali that are most popular. North Indian cuisine, biryani, paratha, tandoori kebab and Chinese dishes are also on the menu.

“I was working in the hotel industry before this and I thought I’d start my own place. It’s tough to get people since there are so many options around. But we rely on the college students and they rely on us,” says Pramod Kumar, the owner, explaining how during holidays when the college is closed, the restaurant business suffers.

The fact that he is from Orissa and he missed his home food is partly why his focus lay on authentic Bengali food from the start. “Bangaloreans enjoy well-prepared fish curries and kasa but it’s hard to find that here. We are just a team of five running the place but we try and ensure that every customer goes home happy,” he says.

“Sometimes people like to snack before the main course and that’s why we have items like gobi manchurian and chilli chicken for them to munch on,” adds Pramod.

Other than the flavourful food, the regulars choose this place over others for the customisation offered. A dish can be made extra or less spicy as per demand and even the amount of oil used can be reduced on request. Another thing that works for the place is the option of choosing half plate over full. This not only makes eating there more economical but prevents wastage of food too.

Vegetarian thali costs Rs 40, comprising of rice, roti, two sabji, papad and salad, while the non-vegetarian one costs Rs 70 and includes a non-vegetarian curry. The rolls are also fast-moving and cheap and are filling enough to be a meal in itself.

The restaurant is located at 2, 1st Cross, MSR College Road, Mathikere Extension, Yeshwantpur. For details, call 41273457.