Located in four countries (India, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia) Annalakshmi, the vegetarian restaurant, leads the income generating quartet that sustains the artistic and charitable activities of the Temple of Fine Arts. Polished, private and yet utterly unpretentious, its success is the result of its underlying philosophy that is based on the ancient adage – atithi devo bhava – the guest is god. It is a philosophy that is manifested through the work of the largely voluntary staff – housewives who know what it takes to prepare a wholesome meal and a miscellaneous team of doctors, teachers, technicians, clerks and accountants who understand the meaning of polite, unobtrusive service. Annalakshmi stands out for yet another reason – the array of delectable dishes it serves in an ambience that reflects the ancient lore of Indian arts and culture. In every way then, it is a restaurant where vegetarian dining is a cultural experience.