It is always good to see new restaurants make an entry in the city. joining the league is Savya Rasa [which was launched in Pune back in 2015], yet another from the Pricol Gourmet group [Soy Soi right next door is one more from this brand] and then there is one more coming up on Cenotaph Road! The menu here is medley of dishes from seven regions, like Mangaluru, Mysuru, Nellore, Kongunadu, Chettinad, Nasrani and Malabar, each with their distinct cultural identities.
The decor is very traditional, with yesteryear household appliances adorning the walls, the tables, the lights are all what you would have seen in your grandparents homes in your home towns. If you have been to Meena Tai or Batlivala & Khanabhoy, some of them might look familiar.. [yes they were a part of the decor when the restaurants were around] .
The menu card is beautiful, almost like an olai suvadi [palm leaf] except made of wood, and you flip through each page to check out the extensive menu. Each item is listed with their origin and a description of what it means.
Since my friend & I were vegetarians, we tucked into a few of their speciality vegetarian dishes. We asked one of the staff to take the call on the dishes for us to try and each dish was exquisite, down to the tender coconut pudding.
On the table was a bowl with different kinds of vadams that was served with 3 kinds of chutneys- raw tamarind, puli ingi and maavadu. I loved the raw tamarind chutney with the vadams. It was delicious and very new!
On the table was a bowl with different kinds of vadams that was served with 3 kinds of chutneys- raw tamarind, puli ingi and maavadu. I loved the raw tamarind chutney with the vadams. It was delicious and very new!
Kokum Mojito – was delicous
Water – they have 3 kinds- jeera water, vetti ver or tulsi..
CHUTNEY PANIYARAM
Rice and lentils steeped over night, stone ground into a batter, seasoned with ginger, green chillies, grated coconut, crushed pepper, stuffed with three types of chutney and shallow-fried in a customised cast iron pan. These were yumm, my favorite among all the dishes. Everytime you bite into it, a burst of thakkali onion chutney pops in your mouth… 🙂
Rice and lentils steeped over night, stone ground into a batter, seasoned with ginger, green chillies, grated coconut, crushed pepper, stuffed with three types of chutney and shallow-fried in a customised cast iron pan. These were yumm, my favorite among all the dishes. Everytime you bite into it, a burst of thakkali onion chutney pops in your mouth… 🙂
Pallipalayam Kalan- Mushrooms cooked with local masala
BUN PAROTTA
A fluffy multilayered bread made with refined wheat flour, egg and butter cooked on a griddle – soul food!
Served with Vazhaipoo & murungakkai kozhambu that was like a cross between arachu vitta sambar and koottu we make at home.
For mains we also had VETRILAI POONDU SAADAM – Short grain rice flavoured with digestive betel leaves and fried garlic – a secret recipe from the land of the Cheras.It was served with a simple yet yumm Thengai pachadi [ Grated fresh coconut in curd with mustard seeds tempering]- unfortunately did not take a photo of it..
For dessert- it was ELANEER PUDDING
Tender coconut water jelly set with China grass – a Thannur delicacy… With no added sugar it was deliciious and light.
The vettrilai potti that came at the end of the meal, quite the traditional box that had us rapt with curiosity..
This meal for 2 worked out to Rs1800 odd [incl GST].. The place is open for lunch and dinner and they have seating across the 3 rooms, and a private hall of sorts towards the end of the main hall. Loved the decor, the ambiance, the service and ofcourse the food as well.
Address:
Savya Rasa
2/10, Gandhi Mandapam Rd, Chitra Nagar, Kotturpuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600085
[opp AMM school]
Ph- 044 2447 2557
Note: They are open for Lunch and dinner..