Janani

After 2 months away from Oz, the food that I miss most? Indian. So as soon as we touched down on home soil, we headed off to our local Indian, or more correctly, Sri-Lankan, for a feast. Luckily for us, our local is actually one of the best restaurants around, as people who have come far and wide have attested to.

Food

We've been here so many times, and I try something different every time that I have tried just about everything on the menu. I can safely say that I haven't had anything bad yet, and I have tried a LOT.

On this particular visit, we decided to try an entree. I asked the waiter about their Puri, which are only available on Fri, Sat and Sun. After explaining the difference between the 4 different types on the menu, we chose the Dahi Puri ($5.50) - little crispy skinned dumpling filled with tamarind, yoghurt, nuts and other unidentified goodies. For mains, Slokky ordered his usual Goat Package ($9.50) - which is rice, goat curry, 3 vegetable curries, rasam and pappadam. This delivered as expected, the curries had a complex flavour of different spices. We didn't get our favourite eggplant curry on this occasion, but the standout was the cheese and okra curry. As usual, he orders an accompaning Plain Naan ($2.00). I love the naans here because they are fluffy and soft, but not oily or dry like at other Indian joints. This one is not as charred around the edges as usual, but still good! I chose the Chana Bhatura ($6.50) - which is puffed and fried bread with chickpea curry and sambol. Out of all the variations of bread with curry that I've tried (Puri Package, Chappathi Pack, Rotti Pack), the chana is the best! The bread is like a naan, except thinner and fried. You can tear it up in little bits to dip in the curry, or tear a hole in it and fill it with curry. The curry on this occasion wasn't my favourite, but it beats anything else I've tried at other Indian places. As usual, we had to order lassis (sweet ($3.00) and mango ($3.50))here with our meal, because they are cheap and don't have that cheap flavouring taste you get elsewhere.

Rating - 8

Atmosphere

We first started coming here right after we moved to Homebush, close to one and a half years ago. A few things have changed since then, like the furniture has been replaced, the wall repainted, and menu scrubbed up and prices gone up. Even with the changes though, the basics that makes Janani so charming still remains. Let's hope it stays that way even with the fame it keeps gaining every day.

The tables are set with a cup of silver cutlery, silver cups and silver water jug. A sink is situated in the corner for you to wash your hands before you pick up your food. The fridges are still filled with all manners of soft drinks and lassis.

Being a beautiful day, all the outside seats were taken, so we made ourselves comfortable inside with the green wall and the TV showing Indian movies.

Rating - 1.5

Service

One thing I have noticed, more and more non Indians and non locals are now frequenting the joint. This has really given the serving staff a bit of a test, because the menu items are not listed with English explanations of what it consists of. Fortunately, most new comers seem to be adventurous and willing to try new things.

Each time I've come, I've received warm, if not too professional service. For the type of place Janani is, and the prices, it is very fitting.

Rating - 3

C-factor

I have a soft spot for Janani, and even though the prices have gone up, they are still good. (It's cheaper for takeaway). They are renovating right now, so I really really hope they don't change too much.

Rating - 1

Brownie Points - 13.5

Info

32 Burlington Rd
Homebush
NSW 2140
Phone (02) 9763 2306
Website