text: My first experience of Udupi was the lunch buffet Being an avid carnivore I was very impressed with the vegetarian and vegan dishes provided here This being Southern Indian cuisine the options were uniquely different from the Indian fare I am used to and I was especially thrilled about the prevalence of coconut in the dishesnnThe culinary journey through Southern India began with a Vada a donutlike fritter made with lentils Dipped in the spicy tomato chutney or coconut chutney it was delectablennNext came the Rajma Aloo a flavorful potato dish with beansnnThe Daal Curry made of lentils peas and beans and flavored with cumin and other Indian spices was outstanding with the basmati ricennThe highlight was definitely the Shai Paneer with a coconut cream sauce The paneer so traditional to Southern Indian cuisine has a texture and taste like that of tofu The difference is that it is cheese made by curdling heated milk with lemon juice and vinegarnnEven the Kheer rice pudding cooked with milk and honey garnished with raisins and almonds was heavenlynnWith an endless supply of Dosai thin crepelike bread that you can use for scooping your food or rolling your dishes into it was a excellent lunch buffet for roughly personnnI will definitely be coming back here for dinner and introducing my vegetarian friends to this delightful establishment