Category Archives: Chennai/ Madras
Trouser Anna Kadai, Chennai, India
I often wonder what will happen to treasures like Trouser Kadai in times of covid?
This tiny hole in the wall spot in Chennai has been a favorite for locals for almost four decades now. Tucked away in the crevices of RK Mutt Road, owner Rajendran still helms his tiny kitchen after all these years. You can spot him as the one cooking shirtless wearing his signature shorts which begot this spot it’s name of “Trouser Anna Kadai”.
Continue readingThe Flying Elephant at The Park Hyatt, Chennai, India
Mathsya, Chennai, India
For over two decades, Mathsya located near the Egmore railway station, has been serving up authentic Udidpi cuisine to loyal customers who keep coming back for more.
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Kudumbam, Chennai, India
If you are looking to explore some Kerala cuisine whist in Chennai then Kudumbam offers a really nice alterative to the now jaded Ente Kerelam. Housed in a quaint bungalow with touches of a traditional Kerala home, Kudumbam is a restaurant cum boutique all wrapped in one.
Chao, Chennai, India
Chao is a relative newcomer on the Chennai dining scene. Located on North Boag road in T Nagar, this food spot offers a rather extensive menu from South East Asia focusing on Thai, Singaporean & Vietnamese cuisine.
Dindigul Thalappakatti Chennai, India
I’ve heard so much about the biryani at Dindigul Thalappakatti that I figured it was time to go and try it.
Nair Mess, Chennai, India
Nair Mess is not easy to find. Located down a narrow winding street, diagonally opposite the Madras Chepauk Cricket Stadium, this Mess feeds everyone from local residents to rabid sports fans.
Dahlia Japanese Restaurant, Chennai, India
Dahlia has been around for close to 20 years now. Located behind Hotel Ganpath, this dowdy spot is the least likely place for Japanese restaurant.
The Marina: Seafood Restaurant, Chennai, India
Seafood does not get fresher than this! The Marina is another winner brought to the Chennai dining scene by food magnate Mahadevan of Oriental Cuisines group.
Junior Kuppanna, Chennai, India
Junior Kuppanna is all the rage in town these days.
Serving Kongu style food from the deep South, this import from Erode offers dishes such as kudal kari, mutton sukka and so on. For the more adventurous you can eat anything from brain to pigeon to intestines and more.
Pani Puri at Gangotree, Chennai, India
I have not had better pani puri than the one made at Gangotree ( okay maybe only In Kolkata). It is my brother and my favorite street style food spot to hit when we are in Chennai together.
Spectra, Leela Palace, Chennai, India
Every year when I return to Chennai, things seem to be getting bigger, flashier and more and more in excess. The brand new Leela Palace now seems to have become the new go to destination for the young and the restless in the city.
Cupcakes Amoré, Chennai, India
A love affair with cupcakes is what food entrepreneur and owner Kavitha Chesetty has going on at her bright and cheery café in Kasturbai Nagar in Chennai city.
Chennai Chips, Chennai, India
I am a chip addict – there I said it!
And Chennai Chips is the absolute ruin of my waistline when I visit Chennai in the summertime.
Madras, Raintree Hotel, Chennai, India
Do you want to try some seriously good local cuisine in Chennai in a chic hotel-dining environment?
Then you must try “Madras” at the Raintree Hotel on Mount Road.
Tuscana at Chamiers, Chennai, India
I was recently invited for a food tasting to Tuscana, which is a popular local Italian eatery in Chennai, India owned by Vipin Sachdev and helmed by Chef Willi.
Tuscana is best known for its wood fire-oven pizzas available in many different crusts including a gluten free option. The pizzas are topping heavy and offer many options one of the newest being a chili chili.
STIX: CHINESE AT HYATT, CHENNAI, INDIA
The Hyatt Regency in Chennai is one of the hottest new hotels in the city. With quirky charm, this hotel displays an interesting array of art installations, which is dotted all over the interiors of the hotel.
One of my favorite places to eat in, at the Hyatt is their Chinese restaurant. Stix serves up authentic street hawker style Sichuan cuisine which is perfect for the fiery Chennai palate.
SANKRANTI: ANDHRA CUISINE, CHENNAI, INDIA
I really love a good Andhra meal and was ecstatic to find this brand new food spot called Sankranti had opened up on TTK road in Chennai. I am usually wary of chains but this place really has excellent Andhra food – which is very hard to find (outside of homes).
KAPILA DASAS, CHENNAI, INDIA
Dasa’s is back and as good as ever! Everything tastes exactly as it did way back in 80’s when they had opened on Mount Road.
ENTE KERELAM, CHENNAI, INDIA
Ente Kerelam in Chennai serves classic Kerala Cuisine in a homey setting. Occupying an old bungalow, the restaurant fans out in several rooms over two levels.
PALMGROVE, Chennai, India
If you are looking for a really great authentic South Indian breakfast spot in Chennai City then Palmgrove Hotel is the place to go. Their restaurant Menaka is a hot spot for Chennaites over the weekends. The place has virtually no décor – it’s a very cafeteria like setting but one really does not go there for ambiance.
Non-Veg. Restaurant at The Cosmopolitan Club, Chennai, India
NON-VEG. RESTAURANT
The Cosmopolitan Club
63, Mount Road
Chennai – 600002
India
Tel: 044-28530353
http://www.cosmoclubchennai.com/newpage.php?PID=20&MID=3
The Cosmopolitan Club is one of the older clubs in Chennai city (formerly known as Madras). It was started in 1873 to cater to a European only, elite clientele.
Things have come a long way since then and it currently has a huge local membership. The Cosmopolitan Club is now rather run down, but in its hallways hang beautiful photographs that remind us of gorgeous Madras of the past. Continue reading
The Golden Dragon, Chennai, India
THE GOLDEN DRAGON
Taj Coromandel Hotel
37 Nungambakkam High Road,
Nungambakkam,
Chennai, India
Ph: 044 66002827
Golden Dragon – the Chinese Restaurant at the Taj Coromandel Hotel has always been considered the crown jewels of the Chennai fine dining scene. It was one of the first Chinese restaurants, to introduce fine Sichuan cuisine, to the city.
It has reigned supreme in the promise of a terrific dinning experience all the way from its orange beaded curtain days in the seventies to the newly renovated space created recently. It reached it’s heights of popularity when Chef Hardy Cheung, who was considered one of the best Chinese Chefs in India, took its helm in the nineties. Continue reading
Amaravathi, Chennai, India
AMARAVATHI RESTAURANT
1,
Cathedral Road
Gopalapuram
Chennai 600086
India
If you are a spice hound as I am, then Andhra food is the way to go. In Chennai city, Amaravathi is known to be one of the more famous places to get authentically spicy Andhra Food. It’s been around for decades and used to be a food joint on everyone’s list.
In great excitement, I dragged a bunch of friends and decided it was time to go and try it out. What a HUGE disappointment it was! Continue reading