As if to say, “See what a shining example we set for the rest of you,” this South Indian vegetarian restaurant is brightly lit and immaculate. While most Indian restaurants have a good selection of veggie items, Udupi has nothing but. Heck, even hard-to-please vegans will find sustenance here. So while veg-heads will take great pleasure in a menu of special uppuma (cream of wheat with fresh vegetables garnished with nuts), the traditional rasam (South Indian sour and spicy soup) and the paper masala dosai (thin rice crepe filled with potatoes and onions), this is clearly not the spot for a unadventurous meat-lover.

Because of its regional emphasis, the menu at Udupi Palace is divided into sections with headers like dosai (thin rice crepes) and uthappam (Indian-style pancake), which will broaden your horizons and expand your taste buds, but only if you’re willing to brave the spotty (at times downright shabby) service. While patrons rave about the food, there seems to be something of a consensus regarding the manners and attention shown to restaurant’s visitors. Don’t expect a doting server or an apology from the manager if the food arrives cold. BYOB with no corkage fee.

Centerstage Reviewer: Freda Moon