Sri Kamala Vilas

After my last blog on Sri Vijaya's Thosai, the MakanGurus at the forum suggested that I also try Sri Kamala Vilas which served, in their opinion, even better Thosais plus they also served a pretty mean Chicken Masala.

Phwa, with a recommendation like that, I rushed down to Sri Kamala's Vilas faster than a guy needing to pee after being stuck in a really cold lecture theatre for 3 hours!



So, how does it compare? Well, the thosai masala is a little different. The curry and the white and red coconut sides are definitely better then Sri Vijayas. I never really appreciated the two coconut side dishes until now. Here it just tastes really fresh and has that extra kick in it. The curry here is also more shiok.



BUT, I prefer the pototo filling and the thosai over the other side. Don't get me wrong, the Thosai Masala here is fantastic and mom loved it. She, like the other makangurus preferred this version. For me, I liked the crispiness of the Thosai as well as the less mushy potato filling over at Sri Vijayas. 4/5



However, the Chicken Masala here is a die-die-must-try! It is as famous as it is shiok. Though it looks fiery, it is maybe 7/10 only the spicy scale, so I can still handle it. Tastewise, everyone loved it and you can see this dish on almost every table there.

Conclusion

Curry wise, you will be able to get meat curries over here and the curries are really good. For just Thosai Masala, I still prefer Sri Vijaya's but that's just me. The Teh Tarik over the at Sri Vijaya is still better as it is done the traditional way. Over here, the tea has already been premixed and comes out of one of those dispensers. Both places have their own strengths and weaknesses, so I guess you have to try both places and decide for yourself!

8.25/10 (T3.5+V3+S1+E0.75)

Sri Kamala Vilas Resaurant (not to be mistaken with Komala's Vilas)
Block 662, Buffalo Road (Tekka Market)
#01-16
Opened daily till 9.30pm



PS: This place is reputed to be TianTianChi's (another MakanGuru) favourite curry place, as well as the Grand MakanGuru's (eslim) place for Thosai.

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Thosai at Sri Vijaya: I'm tempted to go Veg

What I missed most while I was living overseas was a hot cup of Teh Tarik and Roti Prata for breakfast. Oh, you can try to make Teh Tarik yourself at home of course, but it's not going to be the same. Let me explain why.



First, you have to boil water the traditional way and that is in a big aluminium pot.



Next, put a piece of muslin cloth (Make sure its been used at least a few hundred times) over a smaller aluminium pot and pour a mound of fragrant and strong tea dust from a big plastic sack (probably from India, Indonesia or Malaysia but definitely not Lipton) into the pot. Next you add water till all the tea dust floats up and almost overflows. Strain the tea into a big stainless steel cup, add evaporated and condensed milk and get ready to........




T A R I K! (Pull). Pulling the tea adds bubbles into the tea and cools it down. Oh, it also helps if you are Indian. Adds authenticity, know what I mean?




Take a sip and let the sweet aroma of comfort flow down your throat.... gulp, smack, ahhh! Ain't nothing like a really good Teh Tarik. And this is one of the best ones I have tasted! I tried doing this at home with the same ingredients but it is just not the same. 4.5/5



Those who are a bit more adventurous may like to try the Masala Tea. Really good for clearing the palate after a spicy meal. I was told the lassi here is pretty good too, but never got around to try it. Found the spice in the Masala Tea a little to overpowering for me. 3.5/5




Fascinated to see how they actually grind the rice to make Thosai. If you never really liked Thosai before, you will see the light when you try this one. This restaurant is famous for it. They also have pratas but what you see on the tables is the Thosai. Most shops simply buy rice flour to make Thosai. Here you can taste the difference when it is done the proper way.



Please bear with me while I rave about the Thosai. Crispy on the outside, and fluffy on the inside. Never had it so good before. And the curries are so.. umami (savoury), so shiok, so yummy. I don't mind being a vegetarian if all vegetarian food tastes this good.



That potato masala just combines so well with the Thosai. Its not overly spicy, and has the right level of saltiness and just enough tang to get your salvary glands working. The potatoes are also really creamy and sweet (I think they use those local Indonesian potatoes which are small and the flesh is really yellow and creamy). 4.5/5




Conclusion

Still thinking about it few days after the experience. Simple yet Shiokapendous. Best Thosai ever tasted FULLSTOP.

8.25/10 (T3.5+V3+S1+E0.75)

Sri Vijaya Restaurant
229 Selegie Road
63361748
Closed by about 10pm

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