Dining with Ganesh (and Ruske)

The starkness of the canteen - decorated in Middle School Cafeteria style - contrasts mightily with the heavily ornamented exterior and covered walkways of Queens' sprawling Ganesh Temple complex. 

Jen searches for the temple canteen entrance. The sign below might have helped.

Um, this way Jen . . .

It's almost disturbing how much $20 buys you at the Ganesh Temple Canteen. Jen and I tucked into a feast of two perfectly lace-textured dosas, hiding inside the delicate crepe-like folds blazing-hot mixed veggies, fried potatoes, nuts, seeds and whole green chilies. As above, we split an order of vadas (savory chickpea flour doughnuts) and idli (steamed moist cakes made of fermented lentils and rice), all served with copious amounts of creamy coconut chutney and tart, addictive sambar. The upma - a drier Indian version of polenta - was richly studded with fried cashews and sweet peas.