Mahamudra is the Ayurvedic restaurant at the brand new Isha Life facility.
Isha Life is a holistic fitness center that has recently opened in Chennai city, which propounds the philosophy set forth by Sadhguru of the Isha foundation. The aim of the Isha Life center is to provide a space that creates well being by integrating a fitness studio, a spa, a boutique and a health food restaurant – all under one roof.
The concept behind the restaurant is interesting. The aim is to provide an all-vegetarian dining experience that borrows from the Ayurvedic principles of eating. The cuisine is mostly South Indian but there are a few eclectic and westernized food choices too.
The food was pretty good and really well priced for the kind of space and ambiance it provides. The have tried to replace many of the traditional South Indian dishes that use a lot of white rice with whole grains such as cracked wheat and so on. The results were a mixed bag. I felt it worked well in some dishes and not so much in others.
I have to say that the two dishes that blew me way were the Bisi Bele Bath Godi and the Cracked Wheat Pulau.
The dessert section was rather strange as they offered some interesting combinations of traditional Indian desserts such as Lauki Kheer (made from Bottle Gourd) and Sabudana Payasam (Tapioca Pearl Milk pudding). And yet they offered a whole section of ice-creams (from Baskin Robbins) with toppings such as snickers etc. It just didn’t feel very Ayurvedic or healthy inducing.
The service at Mahamudra was very spotty and we had to constantly remind our waiter of requests that had been made.
I hope that a lot of the hiccups we experienced were mere teething problems, given that the place is so brand new and one of the first of its kind in the city.
I can see this restaurant evolving into an “it” place and being very popular with everyone from the young, the old, the fitness freaks and the kitty party lunch crowd.
I, for one, would definitely go back and give this place another try.
Here is some of what we ate:
WELCOME DRINK
This drink made with khus-khus and tulsi seeds were a little too syrupy.
MAHAMUDRA THALI
We decided to try the Mahamudra Thali so that we could try a variety dishes. All in all the Thali was quite good. The dishes I particularly enjoyed were the Akki Roti, Vada, Kuruma Stew, Chutney & the Wheat Bismi, Wheat Curds and Wheat Pulao.
PESARATTU
This soft dosa is made with a batter of Moong daal and onions.
GODHUMAI PULAU & BISE BELE BATH GODHI
These were my two favorite dishes. They are both made from cracked wheat and suffused with delicious spices.
DESSERTS
SABUDANA PAYASAM
This tapioca pearl milk dessert was very nicely made.
ICE-CREAM SUNDAES
Their ice-cream sundaes were really bad. The last thing I expected in a “health-food” restaurant like this was generic ice creams smothered in fake looking sauces. Very disappointing.
MY RATINGS FOR THIS MEAL
Food: ☆☆☆
Service: ☆☆
Ambiance: ☆☆☆
Cost: $$
I recommend: The Mahamudra Thali
