Returned to Bangalore, India

A few months ago, I had written a post asking readers to refer good pediatricians practicing in Bangalore. And there were many responses, thanks to all you folks who referred the peds you liked. Since then, I have had many questions from other readers about whom I had chosen and what my experiences were. For different reasons, we continued to go to our local ped. But last week, I called Dr. Arvind Shenoi’s office and got an appointment at their Vyalikaval office. My son completed 3 years, a month ago and my daughter will soon be 5. So, a perfect time I thought.

Here are my reasons to choose him:

1. He was one of the few who practiced closer to where we live. He practices in Domlur (the earlier Indiranagar office has been moved to Domlur) and Vyalikaval. The Vyalikaval location is not too bad, distance wise, for us. (Most of the recommended docs practice in South Bangalore.)
2. He was recommended more than once. Also, there was one comment about Dr. Shenoi that was very detailed and informative. Please read through the comments.

I called the Domlur office and they gave me the Vyalikaval office numbers. He visits the Vyalikaval office on 3 evenings - Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. And it was extremely easy to get an appointment. Now, this is not true for his Domlur office. There, they are packed quite a bit. We were to be seen at 8.00. And since everywhere in Bangalore, irrespective of when you are given an appointment, you still have to get into a queue in the receptionist’s log book, we went early. We were there before 7.30 pm and that was a good thing. Since, it was out first visit, the first thing the office did was to get the details of the kids into their computer. Yay!! Now, this is a big thing for me. I like the office to maintain basic records so that we have a history with them. They checked the children’s height and weight and entered that too. Yippeee!! If you are wondering why I am so happy at something so trivial, well it is not a common practice here In Bangalore. So, I was just thrilled that somebody cared to see where my kids were with their growth and to keep track of it by putting it with the other details on the comp!

We walked into the doc’s room at around 8.10 pm where we were first seen by Dr. Syed Maseehuddeen. He went through the vaccination records with us and copied it into a new folder that had vaccination details. Hetold us the ones that our kids were due for. He went through each of their histories with us and wrote it all up. Apparently, all that will go into their comp too. Later, Dr. Arvind Shenoi joined us. And the minute he saw Dr. Kaye’s name on the children’s vaccination records (from Camino Medical Group in Sunnyvale), he recognized the name, because of other bay area returnees. Apparently, a lot of people who went to Dr. Kaye go to Dr. Shenoi. Just goes to show how small the world actually is!

Overall, it was good. He seemed nice and warm. Not very forthcoming. But, if asked for info, he was very willing to go over things with us. He too went over the kids’ medical histories with us. They even had growth percentiles. And at the end of the visit, they had a hard copy folder for us to take home with us. It has the vaccination record, the office contact info, Dr. Shenoi’s mobile number for emergencies, and all paper work filed! Very cool. And that is what I liked the most too - the feeling that my kids matter to the doc’s office. So, my vote goes to him! LOL

I must mention that we have only gone there for regular physicals and not for any sicknesses. But, I have been told that he is very good at diagnosis and about prescribing non-anti-biotic meds. If you have your own experiences to add or ask questions, please do so in the comments.

Contact Details:

#272, 2nd stage, 2nd phase, 3rd cross, Domlur
Phone: 2535 3461, 6570 5892

#30 , 3rd Main, 14th cross, Vyalikaval
Phone: 2334 0806, 2334 1419

Email: perinatal@bigfoot.com

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Filed under: Kaye, Arvind Shenoy, Arvind Shenoi, El Camino medical group, Vyalikaval, clinic, Perinatal, Domlur, parents, Bangalore living, Life, Children, R2I, Docs, Family, Pediatrician, medical care, Bangalore

The restaurant Hallimane, in Malleswaram is known for its true Karnataka cuisine. We have been there a few times times for lunch and snacks and have liked the way they try and keep the taste simple and authentic. For Ugadi, Karnataka’s New Year, the restaurant announced that it was offering a Ugadi spread yesterday and today, both for lunch and dinner. It was going to be an authentic 5 course meal served on plantain leaves. And that, we had to check it out. So, off we went yesterday for lunch with the kids. The folks at Hallimane really go to lengths to give you the whole experience. As we approached the restaurant, we saw lovely traditional decor inviting us in. There was even a rangoli at the entrance.

As we entered, the bevu+bella (neem leaves+jaggery) was awaiting us at the entrance. See to the left. Traditionally, the new year is welcomed with the bitter and sweet tastes of neem and jaggery. Also, there was fruit juice served as refreshment with the bevu+bella.

Their entire seating arrangement has been changed for the occasion. It was more like the seating arrangement of a marriage hall. The entire place, in spite of the number of people there, was very clean. The plantain leaves were laid out on the tables and the crew was waiting for people to come and take their seats.

We had to first buy the coupons priced at Rs. 100 per adult. After finding seats for ourselves, we were served a 5 course meal along with everybody else sitting with us.

It included payasa, a few vegetable curries, pickle, 2 types of mixed-vegetable rice, happala, sandige, bajji, idli made in jackfruit leaves, 2 types of chutney, rice+dal, rice+sambhar, rice+rasam, a piece of mysore pak, a sweet pongal-like dish, hollige, rice+curds. I am sure I am missing out a few items. While I am not really into eating too much at once, what I really liked was the simplicity of the taste. It had an almost home-made feel to it! I really appreciate their effort at keeping it real. Everybody was served bottled water. So, you didn’t have to worry about contamination! But then, this is their regular practice even for regular lunch thalis.

And as we left, there was the beetle leaves+arecanut+bananas waiting at the exit for everybody who had finished with the lunch. Overall, a nice, warm, and a unique experience. The taste was down to earth and authentic, the place clean, and our stomachs full.

HAPPY UGADHI, folks! May the new year bring in joy and happiness into your hearts and your homes.

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Filed under: plantain leaf, bevu bella, bella, belu, lunch, tradition, ugadi '08, karnataka cuisine, authentic cuisine, vegetarian, rangoli, Karnataka, Family, Life, Simple R2I Luxuries, desi food, Bangalore living, Hallimane, New Year, Ugadi, Malleswaram, Bangalore