VATAN – Indian vegetarian restaurant

Vatan’s clutter-free setting and fuss-free vegetarian food set it apart from other Indian restaurants in Manhattan. In this diorama of rural Indian life, you are far-removed from a perpetually animated New York City. With its entrance overlooking the Third Avenue in the middle of a mundane surrounding, Vatan presents itself as a graceful surprise. Its lights disguised as earthen lamps, hay shades fixed above the dining tables, traditional costume-clad waitresses and sky-like ceiling draw you into a conventional vegetarian dining experience soaked in Indian customs and flavors. Soft classical tunes lend serenity to the place; staff is courteous and responsive.

You would do well with a pair of slip-ons for your footwear as most seating arrangements require removing shoes. Once seated, the pre-fixed menu sets the pace for an efficient service. You can choose your drink from a short list of beverages like, beer, mango or plain lassi.

Open only for dinner, Vatan presents food in a Thali, following an old Indian tradition. The Thali is a platter with the main food such as bread or rice served in the middle with accompaniments arranged in small bowls at the periphery. In a typical Thali, each accompaniment complements the rest and together they make a festive whole that keep teasing and pleasing your palate while filling you up.

The restaurant serves only vegetarian food and its cuisine is from Gujrat - a state in Western India. The first platter of appetizers is a combination of Gujrati snacks like crunchy chaat, spicy pakoras, crisp papadams, cool sprouts and peppy samosas. Main platter is an assortment of vegetable and lentil dishes with puris (deep fried flattened rounds of flour dough) in the centre. Rice, kadhi (gram flour and yogurt cooked with spices and herbs) and khichadi (rice and lentil cooked together) are brought separately. Fragrance of spices and seasoning waft through the dining area as the food is served and consumed.

Depending on your preference, either mango ice cream or masala tea follows the Thali and concludes the dinner. When you leave Vatan thoughts about its comforting and unpretentious vegetarian meal remain with you for some time.