I had read about Vishala in one of the dailies so during my trip to Ahmedabad I went to this fascinating place with a group of friends. The minute you enter the place you are transported to an old-world charm of Gujarati lifestyle, right into the heart of a Gujarati village.
You are greeted by men in turbans and dhotis with flowers, and the restaurant is a mud hut decorated with typical Gujarati motifs. You’ll be surprised to note that there the restaurant has minimal use of electricity, only for table fans in the peak of summer. There are no tube lights or bulbs and at sunset, lanterns and lamps are lit in every nook and corner. The air smells of smoked charcoal and the atmosphere is charged with the eclectic performances of folk musicians and dancers, magic shows and puppet shows.
You have food sitting on ‘patlas’ with a low table which was very comfortable. The food is served on biodegradable leaf plates and you are given a spoon only on demand as you are required to eat with your fingers in true Gujarati tradition. They serve a whole lot of starters with a number of pickles, handvo, dhokla, sprouts, farsan, and buttermilk (in earthen pots). The main course had vegetables, dal & curry, theplas, makai ka rotla, Bhakri, Bajre ki Roti with White butter & Khichdi. Jalebis were piping hot and crispy and malpua was yummy!! After the meal they also serve an ice cream of your choice outside the dining area.
There is a museum of utensils which has a nice collection of antique vessels of Gujarati households and a shop for Gujarati handicrafts. Everything was simply out of the world. Those people who come to serve the food will make sure that you eat much more than you are capable of by doing the traditional ‘Kathiavadi taan’ . After a meal you can simply relax on the traditional cots or on the swings.
The ambience is excellent and the service out of the world. You get a good taste of the much famed Gujarati hospitality. Definitely a must visit if you are in Ahmedabad.
Vishalla Restaurant
Opposite Vasna Toll Naka, Near APMC Market, Sarkhej Narol Highway, Vasna, Ahmedabad
Phone: +91 79 22761401/ 26602422/ 26446554