Tula: a thali for brunch?

Scrambled tofu, mashed sweet potatoes with saffron, lentils with chutney, all to be enjoyed with small savory pancakes, what do you think? Vegan friends, this is for you (and everyone else!).

This thali is the star dish of the brunch offered by Tula, a lovely vegan Indian restaurant established in Mile End for a little over a year. For good reason: the plate offers a tasty variety of small dishes, from different regions of India, with unique flavors and oh-so-typical spices. In this generous platter, composed of eight small bowls to be enjoyed by dipping lentil pancakes, we also find cumin potatoes, a coconut chutney with freshly ground spices, a black chickpea salad and yellow lentils with South Indian spices.

The plate, gluten-free, it should be noted, will amply satisfy two appetites, if you ask us in our humble opinion. And let’s say that for a brunch that is different, original and varied, and authentic too, it’s hard to do better! This one will definitely take you on a journey.

If you want to try something else, the original menu also offers a Bombay sandwich, a sort of Indian club, made up of five vegetables (potatoes, beets, peppers, tomatoes, etc.), a joyful and hearty mix of textures that lets itself be swallowed by itself.

Another specialty here: lentil idlis, small pancakes of fermented lentils, steamed, a little dry, let’s be frank, although oddly nourishing, this time to be dipped in coconut chutney or lentil soup.

To wash it all down, don’t miss the surprising and tasty golden turmeric latte, and especially the deliciously spicy masala chai with oat milk.

We owe this menu to Abhishek Saraswat Arun, several of whose recipes come from his mother. Originally from Bombay (Mumbai), he first settled in Toronto, where he opened two non-vegan restaurants this time (Khau Gully) that we promise to try when we are in the area. Its mission is to offer Montrealers authentic and healthy Indian cuisine, extremely varied, rich in flavors, (vegetable) proteins and other nutrients, to go beyond the endless naan breads and other samosas. Moreover, “tula” means “balance” in Sanskrit.

Notice to those interested: Tula also offers a thali at lunchtime during the week (always vegan and gluten-free). The menu changes every month, in order to introduce a greater variety of specialties to its gourmet customers.

Brunch offered on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

5258, boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montreal

Visit the Tula website