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Joe Thottungal, the award-winning Ottawa chef-owner at Coconut Lagoon on St. Laurent Boulevard, branches out to open his second restaurant when Thali on O’Connor Street downtown begins serving Monday.

In India, a thali refers to a round platter used for serving food. Thottungal’s new restaurant will exclusively serve its food on thalis on which six or seven khatoris — small copper bowls — will hold vegetables, curries, rice, pulses, bread, a dessert and side dishes such as chutneys and salads.

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“The idea behind a thali is to offer all the six different flavours of sweet, salty, bitter, sour, astringent and spicy on one single plate,” says the restaurant’s website.

“The thali is complete in terms of balanced nutrition,” the website continues. “Its components correspond to the modern day food pyramid, yet its beginnings were part of ancient Hindu cultural traditions. It is believed to have its basis in Ayurveda, the science behind yoga.”