Annlakshmi
Due to the request from my beloved pump pump, here goes the update. Actually I'd planned to blog about this since last Sunday but I had been procastinating so....
Anyway work is driving me crazy. More on it the next post.
Last Sunday I was invited to attend a farewell dinner for one of my colleague and his wife (I pulled Adam along though). They are going back to India which I think could be a better choice for both of them. Wish them all the best in everything. Since some of the attendees are vegetarian, I already expected that we will be going to some vegetarian restaurant. Well, I am right :) The restaurant is called Annalakshmi. Before the dinner, I did some research on the restaurant. At least I know what to expect and also to find the map lol. Apparently, Annalakshmi is a very well known vegetarian restaurant, not only among the Indians but also the Chinese. It was located at Midvalley but now they had moved to Brickfields. Couldn't believe that you never bump into this restuarant before while you were shopping at Midvalley huh? So do I.
Annalakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of Food and the adage "athithi devo bhava" meaning "the Guest is God" is the motivating factor. This factor is a tribute to the Goddess of Plenty, Annalakshmi. These ideals, the warmth and the service very soon capture the imagination of diners. Annalakshmi provides food for the soul by providing a good meal to those who walk in.
Annalakshmi has been a household name for more than a decade in India, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia. It is largely run through the work of voluntary staff that includes mothers and grandmothers all of whom know what it takes to prepare a wholesome meal with homely love.
Annalakshmi has been a household name for more than a decade in India, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia. It is largely run through the work of voluntary staff that includes mothers and grandmothers all of whom know what it takes to prepare a wholesome meal with homely love.
It is guided by the inspiration of a monk, Swami Shantanand Saraswathi, disciple of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh.
Annalakshmi Restaurant
Polished, private and yet utterly unpretentious, its success is the result of its underlying philosophy - serve, love, give. It is a philosophy based on the ancient adage - "athithi dhevo bhava" meaning “the guest is God” manifested through the service of largely voluntary staff - housewives who know what it takes to prepare a wholesome meal and a miscellaneous team of doctors, teachers, technicians, clerks and accountants providing polite, unobstrusive service. With ingredients prepared specially, each item on the elaborate menu reflects the ancient culinary art of India.
Annalakshmi stands out for yet another reason - the array of delectable dishes is served in an ambience that reflects four thousand years of Indian Visual Arts. In every way then - food, ambience and service - it is a restaurant where vegetarian dining is a cultural experience.
Eat as you like, pay as you feel
The food served in Annalakshmi is not prepared by hired chefs with secret French recipes hidden up their sleeves. Instead it is prepared with the care and love by homemakers - mothers, grandparents, sisters and brothers. This filial connection is what makes the concept of Annalakshmi, an unique one.
You cannot put a price on the food prepared by a mother or a wife, and this is why at Annalakshmi you - eat as you like and pay as you feel.
Main entrance of Temple of Fine Arts. The building looks really classy and for some reason I didn't expect this kind of architecture to be seen around Brickfields. All the while I thought Brickfields is like a little Indian town full of traditional arts and temples. We were a little bit afraid to step in at first.
Took picture of the tree outside the building while waiting for the others. They have a really cute wooden mail box. Initially I thought that was a bird cage lol.
This is the entrance of the restaurant. A huge wooden door with cravings. So beautiful! You will see a lot of traditional paintings, artworks and decorations in the restaurant. Which serves a good place not only for good food, but photography. I didn't take any pictures of the interior though because my superior and colleagues were there. Don't want to look like a jakun :/ I will definitely be going back to the restuarant for more dinings and pictures.
Just a short summary of the introduction above, Annalakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of Food and they are motivated by a simple philosophy which is "Guest is God". In Annalakshmi, they gives the best services and food. And the best thing is you eat as much as you want, pay as much as you want. Cool isn't it? Of course don't be a cheapskate eat without paying la. The profit is used for charity so there is a good purpose for us to donate and enjoy the food at the same time.
They have a line of buffet which consists variety of rice (plain rice and rice with herbs something like nasi briyanni), all sorts of curry, vegetables, snacks, putu mayam and many others which I don't know the name, as well as dessert. Besides that, you can also order from the kitchen. The menu change from time to time because their chefs are all volunteers. So it depends on whoever is on duty I guess. Same goes to the buffet. I believe they serve different dishes for lunch.
When I said their give the best service, I really mean it. We were inside the restaurant waiting for some other colleagues. Within 10 minutes we were asked 3 times whether we would like to order some drinks. And mind you, not in an irritated way. They were all smiling and asking politely. We couldn't say no anymore during the third time so we ordered some warm water.
Once everyone is arrived, we ordered our drinks from the kitchen. They have fruit juice, lassi, tea etc. They even told us that watermelon is not sweet that today so they are not serving it. Can you believe it?? I am very sure if it is other diners they will put more sugar only to make it sweet. Thumbs up for their honesty and superb customer service. Since I did a little bit of homework the night before, I knew that their Manggo Lassi is good so I ordered one. We also ordered some capati and another kind of roti which I'd forgot the name. It looks like poori but it is not oily and made of curd which gives a little sourish taste. After that, we off to the buffet line.
Don't be surprise if you couldn't understand the dish names at the buffet. Even my colleague who is from India also unable to understand it lol. I was asking her what is this what is this along the line but she kept saying don't know.. apa ni -.- At the end I just put a little bit of everything on my plate. But I do remember that I took Brinjal Curry which is really really good!!! And some mix vege curry, curd, dhal curry where the dhal really 1 biji 1 biji like kacang putih, spinach puree and papadum.
The food is really delicious and no other mamak can compare to this. Not sure about other Indian restaurant as I didn't go to many of them also. But so far this is the best authentic Indian vegetarian food that I've tasted. Can't believe a carnivore myself can have vege as meal haha.
*Picture credits to http://bangsar-babe.blogspot.com/*
They serve really good capati. It is fluffy, soft and good enough to eat even without curry. Again, mamak can't serve this kind of good capati. Oh yah, the waiter did mention that they have tandoori and naan also only it is not available that day.
Mango Lassi which doesn't taste too sweet and very refreshing. Must try!
Mango Lassi which doesn't taste too sweet and very refreshing. Must try!
After we finished the food, we took some pictures with the couples. Pictures not with me still waiting for it :( Then the waiter came to offer some tea, massala tea and all. I didn't order since I was already bloated.
It is a very good dining experience at Annalakshmi. My ratings:
Food quality and taste: 5/5
Ambience: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Price: 5/5
p.s. Dress code try to avoid short skirts, pants, japanese slippers, sports apparel and sport shoes.
For more reviews, please visit
Annalakshmi
Temple of Fine Arts
114-116,
Jalan Berhala
Brickfields
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 - 2272 3799
Website: http://www.annalakshmi.com.my
Temple of Fine Arts
114-116,
Jalan Berhala
Brickfields
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 - 2272 3799
Website: http://www.annalakshmi.com.my
(Pork free. Closed on Mondays. Open for lunch from 11.30am to 3pm and dinner from 6.30 to 10.30pm)
About the Author
2 love notes