Dakshina Mandapa, a place that will enthrall you

Concept: This is a buffet joint and a weekday buffet features about 40 items from salads, pickles and soups to a range of desserts, with Chinese, South Indian, North Indian, chaat and continental fare all pitching in for the main course.

The restaurant boasts multiple chefs for each cuisine, and the effort and care shows on your taste buds. Some truly authentic South-Indian and exotic dishes make up the menu, and you are unlikely to be complaining for variety. The reception however has South-Indian written all over it. In terms of space, Dakshina Mandapa feels like the executive summary of Galaxy, a good block at the centre of this cozy buffet-only restaurant is occupied by the spread of items you can help yourself to. 90 people can be accommodated at any given day in the restaurant.

Ambience: Dakshina Mandapa lives up to its name. Inspired by the medieval wooden temples of south Kannada, the ambience is very traditional and awe-inspiring. The place is decorated with wooden furniture, brass artifacts and colorful silk upholstery. And with an all-encompassing fervour, it offers Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisines served for lunch and dinner buffets. Dakshina Mandapa is a multi-cuisine restaurant at Taj Tri Star.

Good food in a fairly professional ambience makes Dakshina Mandapa a good place for a family outing. As the restaurant is at the Paradise/Patny hub, and on a crowded day, the cramped main roads can make even Dakshina Mandapa feel like Buckingham Palace.

Turn on: If you know what Dakshina Mandapa means, you don't really need to say, "What's in a name?" after checking here. The restaurants truly leaves up to its name with the authentic food served here.

Price: Weekends boost that up even further, with up to 50 to 60 items to choose from. Lunch buffet costs Rs 155 (Rs 175 on weekends), and dinner buffet costs Rs 175. Dakshina Mandapa also offers a Sunday morning brunch for Rs 115, with about 20 items including bread/butter, cornflakes, a variety of South-Indian items, paratha with curd, and fruits and juices.
—Anubha K. Singh