Undoubtedly, this is possibly the best South Indian vegetarian food in the whole planet. The ambience is simply full of great energy and the interiors are very well done. The Restaurant is run ENTIRELY by well-to-do professionals and housewives as volunteers and they do it as a part of a service towards the community. The restaurant follows the principle of “Athithi Dhevo Bhava” which means the guest is god and that is clearly seen in their service. We ordered the standard thali meal which was extremely elaborate. It would have been a good idea not to eat a few meals before you go there. Food is extremely well made and feels very light. No grease. Service is spot on - very cordial and attentive.
The menu changes everyday but try their parupu podi and rice - this is a popular dish in the South where you mix lentil powder and rice. We thought that their vatha kolambu just had the right amount of tamarind and spice.
The profits from the Annalakshmi restaurants are used to provide much needed medical and nutritional needs for the poor. They also support the promotion of Indian fine arts. Don’t forget to make a reservation.
It costs about Rs. 600 per head but definitely worth the food and the service
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The Farm – Pizzas to die for
If you are in a mood to get out of the city and enjoy a whole day lounging on a farm, The Farm is the place for you. Arul Futnani who runs the place and who is an agriculturalist by profession is a friendly soul who owns this place. If has the time, he normally takes you around the farm to show you around and explains how things are done around there. The Farm has no pretensions of being a place for fine dining. It is a place where you are encouraged to relax and enjoy your meal.
The restaurant is quite spacious outdoor spot with traditional Indian cots serving as lounges. The place is colorful and everything is catered around having a chill and an easy time. The waiters unlike other restaurants do not trouble you to order the moment you come there and you are allowed to take however long you want before you are ready. There is also a small swimming pool if you would like to take a dip and so don’t forget to take your swimming costumes.
For non vegetarians, try their beer chicken. For vegetarians, enjoy their paneer tikka. Every pizza hit the spot and you could even customize your pizzas according to your taste.
Go as a group though since sometimes you won’t have too much company.
Pros: The owners are really friendly, the place is huge and the food is yummy
Cons: Need to have your own transportation as it is a bit out of town
Price: Approximately about Rs.800 per head
The restaurant is quite spacious outdoor spot with traditional Indian cots serving as lounges. The place is colorful and everything is catered around having a chill and an easy time. The waiters unlike other restaurants do not trouble you to order the moment you come there and you are allowed to take however long you want before you are ready. There is also a small swimming pool if you would like to take a dip and so don’t forget to take your swimming costumes.
For non vegetarians, try their beer chicken. For vegetarians, enjoy their paneer tikka. Every pizza hit the spot and you could even customize your pizzas according to your taste.
Go as a group though since sometimes you won’t have too much company.
Pros: The owners are really friendly, the place is huge and the food is yummy
Cons: Need to have your own transportation as it is a bit out of town
Price: Approximately about Rs.800 per head
Zara Tapas
Located in 74, Radhakrishna Salai, this nightclub is a harmonious blend of exotic cocktails, spunky chartbusters, sumptuous Spanish snacks that would elevate your spirits. This bar has been around for about 10 years now and what we noticed is that there has minimum attrition in their staff. Digging a little deeper, we realized that most of the staff is from small towns in Tamilnadu and respect and service is a strong part of their culture.
There is little space between tables and you could lean and speak to folks in the next table. People are usually friendly and the manager does a great job in filtering out the crowd. Typically they look at you and if they think you are friendly, you can get in. Shoes are compulsory and they are pretty strict about it. The best thing to do is to book a table by calling the bar preferably before 5 PM in the evening.
Drinks are not exactly cheap but if you want an evening with a good vibe, the price is definitely worth the price. A good night of partying will cost you about Rs.1000
The King Rat cocktail (curacao, tequila) and the Kamikazee shot (tequila, lime cordial and cognac) are recommended. The fish fingers however were both fresh and crisp, and a good snack. We ordered vegetable croquettes, that made for delicious finger food.
Pros: A great vibe, the best service compared to any other bar in the city and good music
Cons: Need to wear shoes and pants which is not exactly conducive for the city
There is little space between tables and you could lean and speak to folks in the next table. People are usually friendly and the manager does a great job in filtering out the crowd. Typically they look at you and if they think you are friendly, you can get in. Shoes are compulsory and they are pretty strict about it. The best thing to do is to book a table by calling the bar preferably before 5 PM in the evening.
Drinks are not exactly cheap but if you want an evening with a good vibe, the price is definitely worth the price. A good night of partying will cost you about Rs.1000
The King Rat cocktail (curacao, tequila) and the Kamikazee shot (tequila, lime cordial and cognac) are recommended. The fish fingers however were both fresh and crisp, and a good snack. We ordered vegetable croquettes, that made for delicious finger food.
Pros: A great vibe, the best service compared to any other bar in the city and good music
Cons: Need to wear shoes and pants which is not exactly conducive for the city
Dakshinchitra - A little glimpse into the 5 Southern States
This is a really quaint place on the East Coast Road and is enroute to Mahabalipuram and makes for a good day trip. Dakshinchitra is a place that showcases the culture and lifestyle of the 5 Southern States and the craft shop has interesting things on sale and is reasonably priced. The area is divided into various sections here, segregated according to the different states of India. Our favorite was the Chettinad House of the Karaikudi Location in South Tamil Nadu. It typically has a square shaped sky open area with these gorgeous pillars in the centre of the house with corridors that surround it and rooms all around.
The center also offers various workshops for kids and adults and the schedule can be found on their website. The craft bazaar is great for shopping and 100% of the proceeds from the craft bazaar goes directly to the NGOs and the artisans. Dakshinchitra does not take any commission on the sale.
When you are there, also learn to make a pot or a lamp by working with Ramu Velar who is the in-house master potter.
You could even stay in Dakshinchitra for a while and the A/C rooms cost approximately Rs.1000 per night
Pros: A great spot to just unwind and relax, outside the city and close to the beach
Cons: Getting here by public transportation is a bit difficult
The center also offers various workshops for kids and adults and the schedule can be found on their website. The craft bazaar is great for shopping and 100% of the proceeds from the craft bazaar goes directly to the NGOs and the artisans. Dakshinchitra does not take any commission on the sale.
When you are there, also learn to make a pot or a lamp by working with Ramu Velar who is the in-house master potter.
You could even stay in Dakshinchitra for a while and the A/C rooms cost approximately Rs.1000 per night
Pros: A great spot to just unwind and relax, outside the city and close to the beach
Cons: Getting here by public transportation is a bit difficult
Music Season – The Mecca of Carnatic Music
The origin of the Carnatic music scene dates back to the beginning of the last century when musicians congregated from all over the south of India to Chennai to be heard. Even as of today, making a name for oneself in Chennai remains the gold standard for success as a Carnatic musician. Indeed, the city is the world capital of Carnatic music.
Now every December in Chennai, you will find Carnatic music lovers hopping from one Sabha (cultural hall) to another to hear their favorite singers. The most popular Sabha is the Music Academy located on Cathedral road. You will find a mix of locals and Non Resident Indians enjoying the music and munching on snacks from the cafeteria in the Sabha. It is said that there are over 3000 concerts that are packed through December across Chennai. The rookies are typically given the morning or the afternoon slots and the evenings are reserved for the well established singers.
You must be warned that Carnatic music is very technical and it is an acquired taste. Schedules are available at the Sabha office or their websites.
The price usually depends on the sabha, the concert and the seat preference
Now every December in Chennai, you will find Carnatic music lovers hopping from one Sabha (cultural hall) to another to hear their favorite singers. The most popular Sabha is the Music Academy located on Cathedral road. You will find a mix of locals and Non Resident Indians enjoying the music and munching on snacks from the cafeteria in the Sabha. It is said that there are over 3000 concerts that are packed through December across Chennai. The rookies are typically given the morning or the afternoon slots and the evenings are reserved for the well established singers.
You must be warned that Carnatic music is very technical and it is an acquired taste. Schedules are available at the Sabha office or their websites.
The price usually depends on the sabha, the concert and the seat preference
Rayar Mess – A family enterprise
After a great jog on Marina beach, you might want to stop by Arundale street, off Kutchery road in Mylapore. What we really like about this place is that it runs on the honor system. Nobody keeps count of what you eat and the friendly folks at Rayar’s continuously keep bringing you food. The menu is South Indian and contains limited choice – Idli, Vadai, Rava Dosa, Bonda, Potato Bonda and the good old plain dosa. The service is extremely good and the food is served fresh out of the oven. The café has been run for generations and we found it to be a leveler – you find folks from all walks of life.
We chatted with the owners, and Mr. Arunachalam mentioned that they have no intention to expand. They like to serve customers with their own hand and love is a key ingredient. He knows the regulars by their first name and exactly know what they would prefer to eat. When we went to pay the bill and started counting the number of idlies we consumed, Mr. Arunachalam sighed and mentioned ‘just pay whatever you feel like. Money is not my primary concern. Please come back’. Yes ofcourse, we are coming back sir !!
Do not forget to wash your breakfast down with a good strong filter coffee.
The place is open in the mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m and evenings from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m
Pros: The best south Indian food you would ever eat, ultra cheap and friendly smiles all around
Cons: Limited seating and hard to find a seat during the weekends
Price: Even if you eat loads, less than Rs. 80 per head
We chatted with the owners, and Mr. Arunachalam mentioned that they have no intention to expand. They like to serve customers with their own hand and love is a key ingredient. He knows the regulars by their first name and exactly know what they would prefer to eat. When we went to pay the bill and started counting the number of idlies we consumed, Mr. Arunachalam sighed and mentioned ‘just pay whatever you feel like. Money is not my primary concern. Please come back’. Yes ofcourse, we are coming back sir !!
Do not forget to wash your breakfast down with a good strong filter coffee.
The place is open in the mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m and evenings from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m
Pros: The best south Indian food you would ever eat, ultra cheap and friendly smiles all around
Cons: Limited seating and hard to find a seat during the weekends
Price: Even if you eat loads, less than Rs. 80 per head
Balaji Sandwich Store – Mint based Sandwiches
A great street place in Chennai are the sandwich shops near Alsa Mall in the Egmore area. These sandwich joints are basically a cluster of "shops-on-wheels". Of course, there is no seating arrangement. But you can sit on the steps at the entrance to Alsa mall without worrying about being chased away! You have to place your order and collect the sandwich from the counter yourself. The `sandwich makers` are quick if the crowd is sparse and remember your preference if you are a regular.
Of particular mention, is the Balaji sandwich stall. We have eaten Sandwiches in almost all the shops around there but Balaji distinguishes itself with his spicy mint sauce that he applies on the sandwiches. My favorites are the chilly cheese toast and the cucumber chutney sandwich. When you go there, introduce yourself to Thangraj who has a very humble beginning. He apparently used to run a tea shop before the sandwich store and started his venture from the profits of the tea shop. The stall is popular among the corporates and he even has a small shop in the premises of Scope
International which is a Standard Chartered venture.
Pros: Very cheap, extremely yummy, great service
Cons: No sitting spots, beggars on the street can be troublesome
Price: Less than Rs.50 for two
Of particular mention, is the Balaji sandwich stall. We have eaten Sandwiches in almost all the shops around there but Balaji distinguishes itself with his spicy mint sauce that he applies on the sandwiches. My favorites are the chilly cheese toast and the cucumber chutney sandwich. When you go there, introduce yourself to Thangraj who has a very humble beginning. He apparently used to run a tea shop before the sandwich store and started his venture from the profits of the tea shop. The stall is popular among the corporates and he even has a small shop in the premises of Scope
International which is a Standard Chartered venture.
Pros: Very cheap, extremely yummy, great service
Cons: No sitting spots, beggars on the street can be troublesome
Price: Less than Rs.50 for two
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