Perth Voice Interactive

THERE’S no class division at “Harry’s” place where you’ll find suited business types, trendy young workers and middle-aged matrons rubbing shoulders with the down-at-heel, students and backpackers.

It’s really Govindas, but was dubbed ‘arry’s by D’Angerous Dave some years ago because it’s a Hare Krishna restaurant and he could never remember the correct name.

On this particular night the mixed patronage included men who looked like life hadn’t treated them kindly taking away plastic containers of food—at $5 (takeaway) it’s got to be a vastly better option than a Maccas—as well as people in town to catch Jasper Jones at the State (as we were).

Sitting nearby a couple of white-haired backpackers had the look of well-heeled British travellers, happy to travel on a budget, especially when you can eat so well for so little.

At $10 a head, for the all-you-can-eat Thali, it’s not haute cuisine and Govindas will never win a gold plate award, but you can’t beat it for delicious and hearty vegetarian nosh, at a ridiculous price, that includes a fantastic, stodgy halava (semolina pudding) and custard dessert.

Spicy, flavoursome dhal and rice, a great vegetable curry, a huge pakora and a Hare Krishna version of shepherd’s pie—no meat but plenty of very un-English spiciness—were loaded into separate segments of the army mess-style plate.

And for a mere $3 you can add a samosa on the side.

The decor is minimal, apart from colourful posters of Krishna beaming down from the walls, and you’re expected to place your empty plate on a trolley at the back of the eatery, which it appeared everyone obediently did.

We’re absolute fans and were delighted to find it open of an evening, after many a lunch over the years.

Service is variable at Govindas, and this evening the man behind the counter looked like he was ready to head for home after a very long day, as he slapped our food into the tray. But by meal’s end he’d mellowed.

We were certainly mellow as we headed out into the night replete in every sense of the word.

by JENNY D’ANGER

Govindas Restaurant
184 William Street, Northbridge
open Mon–Fri 11.30am–2.30pm, reopening 3.30–730pm