“Dakshin”, a new Indian restaurant located at 672 Waverly Street, Framingham, MA, that opened on April 14, 2005 will feature an all day buffet on Mother's Day  featuring a large selection of north and south Indian dishes and there will be something special for “Mom”.

Dakshin is a unique restaurant designed to cater to different palates and different dining experiences. Whether you are looking to host a party for 300 people or just want to celebrate an event with someone special, Dakshin will not disappoint you. 

Boasting four separate dining spaces, the restaurant allows you pick the space that works for you. “We try to understand the seating preference of the customer. We have a space for pure vegetarians, a space for mixed menus, a separate space for the bar and one for parties.  The spaces are really separate. Thus people in the vegetarian section will not see meat dishes at all. Our kitchen also clearly separates the vegetarian and non-vegetarian cooking” says owner Raj Vishwanthan. 

The wide vareity of items on the menu was amazing. The menu features authentic South Indian dishes including not just the usual Idli, Dosai and Vadai but also some favorites like Vetha Kozhambu, Kanchipuram Idli, Kaima Idli and Paruppu Vadai.  If you are in a mood for North Indian food, the menu features a large selection of North Indian items including Palak Paneer, Malai Kofta, Aloo Chat and Vada Pav (made fresh in-house). If that does not satisfy your palate you are welcome to make a selection from their Indo-Chinese section which includes Gobi Manchurian, Schezuan Fried Rice and Vegetable Noodles.  The non-vegetarian menu features traditional Tandoori favorites and Chettinad specials like Kozhi Kozhambu and Kozhi Milagu.

“Food is my passion.  When I opened this restaurant I wanted to create a different dining experience” says Raj. “My father-in-law owns a very popular  restaurant chain in Chennai, India. He knew the best people in the business. With his contacts, I was able to get training at restaurants featuring different kinds of cuisines including Chettinad, Indo-Chinese and North Indian.  When I started this restaurant I was able to hire specialists in each of those cuisines and thus we were able to assemble a wonderful menu where every item is the best it can be” says Raj.

A good bar is essential to any restaurant. The bartender Kent Holloway comes to Dakshin with over ten years experience in the business. “We have a top of the line premiere bar that features several fine wines and Indian beers including Kingfisher, Taj Mahal and Flying horse.  We feature several Martinis. Raj’s Dakshin Tiger is wonderful” says Holloway.

Comments from customers like “I think the Palak Paneer is the best I have ever had - the Cilantro and Corn Soup was so different and tasty - the Nan is delicious” indicated that the food was very good.  We tried the South Indian menu and the food was delicious. Of course the best part was that the prices were very reasonable.  They have a lunch buffet everyday though dinner is ala carte.

Raj’s wife Raji took us on a tour of a special part of the restaurant,  a space to hold  parties.  It featured a lovely dance floor fully equipped with DJ lights, music system and featured its own bar. “This is the space where we can host private parties. We can seat up to 300 people. Be it a sixteenth birthday, a Sreemantham  or a graduation party, it is the right space. Since it is separate from the restaurant itself privacy can be assured. We have sound proofed it so that if the party chooses to have loud music it will not disturb the restaurant customers” said Raji.  Dakshin currently has  Latino and Brazilian nights and will start a Bhangara disco night on Thursdays  in June. “It would be a great hang out place for youngsters”.

The whole Viswanathan family is very involved in community activities and feels strongly about community partnerships. “We really want to support community service activities. We have been hosting the Next Generation Foundation meetings here,” says Raji.

Dakshin is a different dining experience and it certainly worth a try!

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