Gujarati thalis and a Kerala farewell in Des Plaines
Des Plaines made South Asian news on two fronts this season. A food review on Vocal’s feast channel spotlighted Shree Rasoi Indian Fine Cuisine on South Elmhurst Road as a go-to destination for Gujarati and Punjabi cooking in the Chicago northwest suburbs—the restaurant’s Kathiyavadi thali in particular earning comparison to a home-cooked meal in Gujarat. Separately, the community mourned the passing of Gopalan K. Padmanabhan, an 85-year-old electrical engineer from Palakkad, Kerala, who settled in Palatine, Illinois, after a career with the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board. Born in 1941, Padmanabhan was the first person from his village to pursue higher education and went on to become a devoted family patriarch. A funeral service was held at Davenport Family Funeral Homes and Crematory on February 22, 2026, attended by family and friends.
Shree Rasoi: Gujarati and Punjabi fine dining on Elmhurst Road
Tucked at 1167 South Elmhurst Road in Des Plaines, Illinois 60016, Shree Rasoi Indian Fine Cuisine has earned a reputation as one of the finest South Asian restaurants in the Chicago northwest suburbs. The restaurant’s identity is anchored in Gujarati cooking, a regional specialty that sets it apart from most Indian restaurants in the area. Its signature Kathiyavadi thali—featuring bajra rotla, urad dal, the smoky roasted-eggplant preparation ringna no olo, khichdi, and kadhi—draws consistent praise from reviewers who say it evokes the warmth of a home-cooked meal straight from Gujarat. Fresh farsans, crunchy bhajia, and churma laddoo round out the snack and dessert menu. Beyond its Gujarati core, the menu also offers Punjabi classics including butter chicken and goat biryani, paneer dishes for vegetarians, South Indian dosas, and Indo-Chinese options such as Manchurian, giving the restaurant broad appeal for vegetarian, Jain, and non-vegetarian diners alike. Reviewers note that while the Gujarati specialties are consistently excellent, dishes that venture further from that tradition—such as paneer chilly—can vary in quality due to heavy use of food coloring. Online ordering is available at mymozoorder.com for those seeking crowd favorites like vegetable samosas or garlic naan delivered to their door. [4]
Gopalan K. Padmanabhan, Kerala-born engineer, 85, of Palatine
Gopalan K. Padmanabhan, 85, of Palatine, Illinois, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2026. Born on January 15, 1941, in Kallingalpadam in Palakkad district, Kerala, he was the firstborn child of Gopalan and Devaki, growing up among four brothers and three sisters. Having lost his father at a young age, he became a steady role model and guiding figure for his siblings. He attended Kannambra High School, graduating in 1958, and became the first person from his village to pursue higher education—a trailblazing achievement in his community. He earned an Electrical Engineering degree from Kerala Government Polytechnic, Kozhikode, in 1963. A celebrated athlete in college, he was especially known for basketball. His professional career unfolded with the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board: he began as a Surveyor in South Arcot District, serving in Panrutti and Villupuram, before transferring to Karadivavi in Coimbatore District as a Junior Engineer at a power substation. He later moved to the United States, settling in Palatine, Illinois. A funeral service was held on Sunday, February 22, 2026, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Davenport Family Funeral Homes and Crematory in the Chicago area. [5]
Sources: [4] Vocal · [5] Davenport Family Funeral Homes And Crematory