Tola: Thali for lunch?

Scrambled tofu, mashed sweet potatoes with saffron, and lentils with sauce, to enjoy with delicious little pancakes, what do you think? Vegetarian friends, this is for you (and everyone!).

This thali is the main dish for brunch at Tula, a lovely vegetarian Indian restaurant that was established in Mile End just over a year ago. For good reason: The platter offers a delicious variety of small dishes, from different regions of India, with unique flavors and typical spices. In this generous plate of eight small plates to enjoy with lentil fritters, we also find cumin potatoes, a coconut chutney with freshly ground spices, and a black chickpea and yellow lentil salad with South Indian spices.

It's worth noting that the gluten-free dish will satisfy both appetites greatly, if you ask us in our humble opinion. And let's just say that for a brunch that's different, original, diverse, and authentic too, it's hard to do better! This will definitely take you on a journey.

If you want to try something else, the original menu also offers the Bombay sandwich, which is a kind of Indian club, consisting of five vegetables (potatoes, beets, peppers, tomatoes, etc.), which is a joyful and delicious combination of textures that allows you to try something else . It swallows itself on its own.

Another specialty here: idlis, little fritters of fermented lentils, steamed, a little dry and, let's be honest, though strangely nutritious, this time they can be dipped in coconut chutney or lentil soup.

To wash it all down, don't miss the amazing and delicious golden turmeric latte, and especially the delicious hot masala tea with oat milk.

We owe this list to Abhishek Saraswat Arun, many of whose recipes come from his mother. Originally from Bombay (Mumbai), he first settled in Toronto, where he opened two non-vegetarian restaurants this time (Khao Guli) that we promise to try when we're in the area. Its mission is to provide Montrealers with authentic and healthy Indian cuisine, highly diverse and rich in flavour, protein (vegetables) and other nutrients, to go beyond the endless naan bread and other samosas. Moreover, the word “tula” means “balance” in Sanskrit.

Note for those interested: Tula also serves a thali at lunchtime during the week (always vegetarian and gluten-free). The menu changes every month, in order to offer a greater range of specialties to its gourmet customers.

Breakfast is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

5258 Saint-Laurent Street, Montreal