Disappointed to read any negative reviews on this place because as I see it this place is dynamite value with great quality food. Friendly and lovely staff. Mixed Veg Parotta is my favourite dish. No gimmicks, simple and clean interior, it's not about the atmosphere it's about the food. Perfect for vegetarians.
Pros: inexpensive, options, abundanceThe buffet is rich and most of it is excellent. The staff seems knowledgeable about which of the items are vegan. Some of the menu items were brilliant.
Pros: great food, inexpensiveThis place is probably great for vegetarians, there are many options on different menus, including a whole page for dosas. However, the vegan knowledge is severely lacking and I wonder if they don't know or don't care. Either way, it's always a struggle to find out exactly what's in the food.
In the end we decided to not bother with the stress of eating at Saravanaa.
I really like spicy food. And I really like the buffet at Saravanaa Bhavan. This was my second time. The buffet is delicious and perhaps the best part is they deliver hot, fresh, Dosas, Naan and Samosas right to your table as they come out of the kitchen. This is included in the price of the buffet.
Back to the spice for moment. I like chili's, jalapenos and other peppers as much as the next guy. But Indian food frequently has a different kind of spice. not one that burns necessarily. But rather, one that makes me SWEAT, like a horse. It just pours out of my head and face, only. Really weird and really embarrassing. Wish I could figure it out, because I really love the food.
Pros: Great selection, hot goodies delivered, inexpensiveYeah, that's right... I don't care if they're closed... whip out your sleeping bag and camp out. What you'll get in return for your perseverance is a veritable deluge of South Indian delights!
Okay, so here there's already lots of South Indian. But where I come from, the Indian restaurant scenery is dominated by average-ish North Indian cuisine. Saag Paneer and orange chicken. How awesome then is a restaurant like Saravanaa?
A bunch of staples, like the cream of wheat thing, the little donut things, sambar, dosa etc.; and a whole load of dishes spiced in the (superior) South Indian tradition (i.e., with curry leaves, or tamarind, or coconut milk). This means that your mind and your taste buds will be partying together with reckless abandon! And they have a lunch buffet!
I really can't say enough, except that if you are vegetarian (sorry, not vegan) you must give this place a try! (Oh, and a little secret: they have parking around back in their own little garage)
I was extremely disappointed after having been told this was a wonderful vegetarian restaurant with lots of vegan options. They had absolutely no vegan food on the menu and were unwilling to accomodate me. They didn't even have brown rice! I left without eating anything.
Pros: Nice decor, Free parking, Central locationWe used to eat here almost twice every month when they first opened.
BUT, since about Sept 2009, we have noticed that the lunch buffet, except for special holiday weekends, is rather dull with many repetitive rice dishes.
Their buffet at lunch time, and at $9.95 a person from Mon to Fri, is a good deal too (it's all you can eat!) I do love the dhosas, masala, the lentil curry, potatoes, and the wide variety of rice dishes. Many different sauces available, and items change every day in the buffets offerings. However, weekends are better, in particular when there is a special holiday celebration.
So, while I would still recommend eating here, I find that it is sometimes hit and miss in that, unless it is a special holiday, the variety of dishes is limited, and the desserts in particular are not of the same quality that they were back in the spring of 2008 when they were first in operation.
Updated from previous review on Thursday January 22, 2009
Updated from previous review on Saturday November 20, 2010.
Pros: Lunch buffet is great value on weekends, All you can eat, Attentive friendly serviceI ate here on a recent trip to Vancouver and had their lunch buffet - many great choices - including different curries, dosas, naan breads etc. The breads were brought out freshly cooked and served to each table. Great value, friendly and efficient service, all you can eat.
Pros: tasty food, good service, good valueVerry, verry Cheap and verry, verry good. Friendly Stuff. There's nothing more to say ...excellent!
Pros: Price , Food, StuffWe ate here on a recent trip to Vancouver, and it was great. I was a bit confused by the menu, in that it didn't appear to be laid out in typical 'appetiser, entree,' fashion. However, our server was very helpful and gave us suggestions on what to try. I opted for one of the combination plates which was huge, and meant I could try little bits of lots of things. Quite delicious! My partner, who is slightly less adventurous, had a spicy potato dish which was also very yummy. The Mango Lassi was a real tastebud treat, and so soothing after all the spice. Restaurant was large, open, and bright, so not the place for an intimate get-together. However, if you want excellent veggie Indian food at a reasonable price, then get on over there!
Pros: Excellent food, Good portions, Value for moneyvery good. the 'mini special dinners' (?) are huge!
Pros: clean, flavourful, prompt
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