Sandy Hill's local International Society for Krishna Consciousness photo: Aaron McKenzie Fraser

As I read through recipes like corn and bell peppers in herbed coconut milk, cracked black pepper rice pilau, baby eggplants stuffed with ground almonds, pomegranate raita, and baked stuffed bananas with tamarind-flavoured coconuts (and about 1,000 more that sound this good), I quickly forgot about preserving the book's pristine condition and started cooking my way through it. Admittedly I love to cook, and I was already fanatical about vegetables, but Devi's recipes gave me that final realization: I probably wouldn't miss preparing or eating meat if I stopped. And so slowly, I did, and I've never felt better.

Vaishnavas (people who follow Hare Krishna) and many other Hindus who adhere to the pure vegetarian or Vedic diet set out in the Bhagavad Gita believe that what you eat has a profound effect on you not only physically, but mentally and spiritually. So they don't take in substances classified as impure, passion-inducing, or ignorant: meat, eggs, fish, alcohol, caffeine, and - more interestingly - mushrooms, garlic and onions. They also believe that when you eat food, you are absorbing to some degree the mental energy, be it negative or positive, of the people who prepare it. Think about that next time a surly cafeteria worker slaps down some slop on your plate!

So I drag Slinky to the local ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) buffet in Sandy Hill.

We take our shoes off and enter a calm and peaceful room, about half-full with people enjoying their supper. Devotional music plays softly and the pong of incense wafts out from the adjacent temple room. The server is helpful and friendly.

As for the buffet, it can't be helped that it's a bit of a letdown after Devi's sumptuous cuisine, but it's fresh and good enough: green salad, basmati rice pilau, savoury moong dal, curried cauliflower, peas and potatoes, and a very yummy tomato-based dish with thick slices of eggplant, zucchini, and carrot.

But what's with the salad dressing in the ancient-looking plastic bowl? Moreover, what's with the "pasta salad" (completely plain, cold pasta shells)? I'm no Vaishnava, but would Lord Krishna really want us to feed our spirits with cheap starch?

And while milk is traditionally an important part of the Vaishnava diet, the Govinda buffet is dairy-free - I am guessing because cows aren't treated properly in this part of the world to yield the right sort of milk and other products? Anyway, vegans take note.

However put off I am by the pasta salad, a moist, golden crusted banana cake fragrant with cinnamon, cardamom and other sweet spices and still warm from the oven for the dessert, not to mention the bill ($7 per person, $5 if you are a student), more than makes up for it.

Govinda Vegetarian Buffet
212 Somerset East
613-565-6544
$5-7
www.iskcon.ca/ottawa/homepage/buffet2.htm

 
 

		Write your comment on this article!

Authentic, local and non-profit--it's worth a try!     I have been to Govinda's many times over the past five years and I always enjoy the authentic, local and non-profit nature of this restaurant. In my days as a University of Ottawa graduate student, I had dinner there at least once a week. I returned last night after being away for several months, and was pleased to find the same friendly atmosphere and tasty food. The buffet is not extensive, but by serving healthy, homemade meals for just $5, Shankar provides university students on very limited budgets with an invaluable service. If you live in Sandy Hill, it's easy to walk by this place every day and never go in. Give it a try; if for nothing else, then simply for the experience of eating in a restaurant where the profit incentive is not the driving factor.
Christopher Adam		June 15th, 2010
hmmmm     The review sounds somewhat snobby. Govinda's has been a restaurant I have been going to for over 15 years. There were times when I was 15 when I did not have a lot of money and Shankar would feed me anyway and discuss the philosophy with me well beyond closing time. The food is great! The price is great! If you have not been there yet you are missing out.
Shaun Morris		May 25th, 2010
Govindas is great- even if you arn't a vegetarian.     My background: Philosophy/Psychology student at Ottawa U. I eat meat. Steak and eggs sort of guy. Normally the idea of vegetarian food is like of abhorrent to me; I have a close minded-zeal for saturated fat, what can I say *laughs*. My visit to Govindas: For years I'd walk by the place, as it was on my way home from class. On the outside, it has the appearance of a creepy hole in the wall place- and as theres a sign mentioning temple to lord Krishna or something like that- Plenty enough to scare away a WASP steak eating atheist like myself. Regrettably up until recently, I never tried Govindas out. During exams, like alot of students- my life gets so chaotic that I can't be bothered to cook. This usually results in me eating a lot of shwarma, mcdonalds, or whatever else. On the spur of the moment one day, I said "eh, what the heck, I might as well check the place out!" So, I went in. I realized upon walking in, that the place was nearly empty. Turn out it was 7:59, and they close at 8. I was greeted by Shankar, the owner, cook, CEO, dishwasher, and cashier. He was really friendly, and explained that we are closing, but since he was staying a little bit longer, and I 'look hungry' I'm welcome to stay and eat a plate. The food was great. The Banana cake is legendary for good reason; absolutely delicious. Admittedly, I came in at the end of the night, so the leftovers were what were- but still, there was lots of food. He had a curry-vegetable mix, rice, indian pea soup, some sort of delicious baked bean mix, a really fresh salad with this lemon-spicey-olive oil dressing that was great. In short, for 5 dollars (student price), I got an amazing deal!! The food is refreshing and healthy. I've never digested a meal so pleasurably and easily; I feel full, but as if I ate nothing at all in terms of discomfort. If the price was 15 dollars, it would be 4/5 stars; the price is 5$ for students, so I give it a 5/5. Go to Govindas at least once if you're in Ot
Matthew Weber		June 19th, 2008
Govinda is Good     As someone who has unfortunately tried twice to like the greasy tasteless buffet at Maharaja her in Montreal, I was super surprised that Govinda was so good. And clean and not too greasy. Most Indian buffets are sketchy with their crappy cuts of meat. Here there is not of that problem. While I did miss my vindaloo the veggie selection made up for that.
Reuven De Souza	{6 votes}	April 4th, 2007
Its not just about the food     We were dissappointed that the reviewer didn't take the time to speak with Shankar. He's a lovely person, and the only one who works there. if you take a moment to speak with him, you'll be sure to feel very welcome. he spends his afternoon preparing the food, the majority of the time on his own, to receive his guests for supper. he offers a balanced, nutritious meal at a ridiculously low cost ($5 even for students) in a welcoming, friendly location, and has been doing so for many years now. Govindas also participates in the Annual Feed the World celebration, offering free meals to its guests twice a day for a whole week. Not being Hare Krishnas, we were unsure at first what our experience would be like, but its quickly become akin to going home for a wholesome, homecooked meal. If you want to learn about the Krishna faith, then Shankar will gladly answer your questions, but you will certainly not feel pressured to do so. Its so rare to find a place like this where the goal is not profit, and where you are greeted by name when you walk in.
Emily Verlinden and Shawn Chamberlain	{2 votes}	January 9th, 2007
Soul food! Food for the soul     This is a very charming little place. I was there only once last year on a festival night...every Sunday, they have a special evening of philosophy and great food. I had a lot of fun and it was really great. I loved the food, the philosophy and the people too. The Hare Krsna's have something special to offer, if you give it a chance. I've been to many other Hare Krsna restaurants in New Zealand and Australia and they are all really good. I'm now a full time vegetarian because I've discovered how easy it can be. I recomment it to everyone! (Oh and I've been practicing Krsna Consciousness for a year and a half now and I have no problem how they treat the ladies.) Hare Krsna
Marie-A. Denis		December 13th, 2006
Quantity not Quality?     I've eaten here on a few ocasions over the years and like any establishment , the food is hit or miss. I've had both the lame and spicy pasta salad at times - Guess it depends who's in the kitchen at the time. I find the food to be of reasonable to above quality in both taste and texture. This is the cheapest place to get vegetarian fare without breaking the bank.
Bryan Murray	{8 votes}	November 1st, 2006
It's not just about food     Honestly, did you taste the pasta salad? It isn't plain, it has a spicy kick. I have never eaten something more wonderful in my life (okay that's an exageration). I have tried re-creating it multiple times and to no avail; I'll have to settle for visiting very often! Shankar does a great job of maintaining this NOT FOR PROFIT 'restaurant'. A great quiet relaxing atmosphere, a nutritious meal, and none of your money going to multinationals, you can't ask for much more. This place is about much more than just food, I find it unacceptable to review it like you would any restaurant.
Not Me	{6 votes}	October 31st, 2006
~Feast or famine~     Ok, just gotta say it, the picture does absolutely nothing for me. It looks like a side shot of my neighbors house. Ok, so maybe the food is good (something I'm not entirely convinced of) but having had dishes like these before (had a friend who had a brief flirtation with obsure cuisine from around the world) I'm no rush to try my luck just yet. By the way, is this a food review or a intro to the Hare Krishnas? I will say this though, the price is within most people's budgets.
Pedro Eggers	{6 votes}	October 29th, 2006
Sounds Like A Great Find.............     Right off the bat, I am not a vegetarian. I've tried to leave meat aside, but I just can't "bear" the thought of missing out on some good "game", Oh "dear". However, I know some local hunters who are more meat-hungry than I am and who live off their kill all winter long, all 600 pounds in the freezer. Govinda sounds like a great place to go, although I too, am surprised at the lack of dairy products and the abundance of pasta. The description above sounds like it is a good match for a place to go where you can get your veggie fill for a great price, without the frills. I will do my part and cut out the article and put a copy on vegetarian's desks that I pass on my travels.
Steve Landry	{12 votes}	October 27th, 2006
Lighten up, can'tcha?     My god Susan, I've never experienced such a relentlessly negative woman. What a buzzkill your note is - it's a restaurant review, not a political statement. No more needs to be read into it than "avoid the pasta salad, and make sure you try the banana cake - it rocks". The bad dad who oppressed your friend in another city 12 years ago has probably never even been there. A "fundamentalist hindu" would likely tell you to relax and enjoy yourself a little more, and she'd be right. Ommmmmmm...
Qalu B'nopo	{11 votes}	October 27th, 2006
Bitter food     I have a friend that I have not seen for quite some time who lives in another city. She was raised in the Hare Krishna faith. The way she explained it to me, Hare Krishnas are fundamentalist Hindus. She was not allowed to get an education because girls were supposed to look after children and perform domestic duties. She had a miserable life because she was a girl and treated like a very second class citizen. When I met her about 12 years ago she was living with her two children and working on acquiring the education she had never been allowed as a child. Her father, who remained in the Hare Krishna faith, (her mother got out) came to visit her one New Year's. He refused to look after her children while she went out. He was home and stayed in a room downstairs and did not interact with his granddaughters at all while I was there babysitting so that my friend could have a night out. The only time he interacted with the rest of us at all was toward the end of the night when he came upstairs to try to discipline my son because he didn't want to leave right away when it was time to leave. I have met other women who are no longer involved with the Hare Krishna faith because of how women are treated. I find their food dry, bitter and hard to swallow.
Susan Turansky	{9 votes}	October 26th, 2006
Food- Eat it Krishna Consciously     Govinda restaurant is not only about food.Its food offered to Krishna.Its Krishna Prasadh- eat it and you will be sin free. The Food we eat will defines what kind of a person we are. It changes a person physically, mentally and spiritually. Being a vegetarian and offering it to Krishna is one of the best things and will make you a better Person.Try it and you will see the results.
aravinda Subra		November 14th, 2006
Sounds like an interesting spot to go to!     This Govinda's restaurant sounds like an interesting spot especially for those with little money and a bit of curiosity like me. It will definitely attracts a mix of different sort of people which is good. In fact, as long as the service is friendly, and the food is satisfying, I would definitely like to try out this little restaurant, very very soon!!!
Valerie Augier		November 1st, 2006

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