South Indian fast food chain Komala's that found a spot in town a month ago, is yet to get its act right

When we heard that Komala's (which was a rage in Chennai in the '90s in spite of Saravanaa Bhavan taking the lead) had opened up, we showed up bright and early at its soft launch, one evening. The interiors were basic but we were glad there were no tacky Rajini posters in sight, at least.

Mysore Masala Dosai

The staff were extremely cheerful and courteous but also terribly confused about what was available in the kitchen. We blamed that on pre-launch nerves and ordered a Mysore Masala Dosai (Rs 75), which came with excellent onion chutney (we ordered for seconds and thirds) but stale potato masala. We were told that the mini South Indian meal we ordered (it's also printed on the menu, Rs 105) came with a dessert, but they'd ran out of dessert. The Bisibelebhath (a Karnataka speciality of lentils, rice, vegetables including carrot) was too spicy, the curd rice was nothing to rave about so in all, we walked out after a disappointing meal.

We went back to the restaurant after it was formally launched, only to find the staff still fumbling about. This time, we picked breakfast time but found that the restaurant had run out of staple breakfast -- Pongal, Vada and Idli. It had only been an hour and a half since they'd opened (Komala's opens at 10 am everyday). The place was empty as a theatre showing a dud film.u00a0

Again, the Komala's staff were clueless about what their Mini Meal offered and finally served us a strange mix -- jeera rice with juliens of beans and capsicum and curd rice. No self-respecting South Indian eats jeera rice, not without protest at least, and the curd rice was yet another average meal. The staff who worked in slow-mo had to be reminded twice about the buttermilk that came with the meal. The Masala Dosai passed with full marks this time, but we're not sure if we're coming back for seconds.

At: Komala's, below PVR, near Sai Service, High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel.
Call: 43473930

Komala's didn't know we were there. The GUIDE reviews anonymously and pays for meals.