Mak n Bajji Five minutes from the beach, and five minutes from the temple, M.A. Kaliesraj and K. Selvarani’s home is perfectly located for bhajjis. As they quickly hand out freshly fried spicy bread bhajjis along with tumblers of frothy, fragrant Kumbakonam degree coffee, They’re already selling about 600 bhajjis a day. Open from 3.30 p.m.-8 p.m. Bhajjis: Rs. 10 each. Address: Old No. 30, New No. 58, Nalla Thambi Street, Triplicane. To order, call: 97908 78377

Akash cool bar The surprise of the day: paneer soda casually served in authentic, old-fashioned, green goli soda bottles at this practical ‘cool bar’ stocked with sweets, cut-mango pickle sachets and ‘cool drinks’, among other things. The shopkeeper here sells the drink for Rs. 7. It’s mildly sweet, gently fizzy and fragrant with the scent of roses. Address: 28, Alangatha Street, Triplicane. Tel: 2844 3021

The kaiyendhi bhavan outside Hindu Senior Secondary School Raja has been frying and selling Mangalore bondas from his cart in the same place since 1988. As he holds out a paper plate filled with four generous bondas, crisp outside and deliciously fluffy inside. Mangalore bondas, he says, were an obvious choice. “No one makes them right in the city.” At Rs. 6 per piece, he makes about 1,200 snacks a day (including medhu pakodas and chilli bajjis.) His secret, he adds, is “fresh oil”. Not selling to hungry students, he quickly adds with a laugh. “Principal told me to open only after school closes, so I start at 5 p.m.” Address: 83, Big Street.

Hema Milk Depot Hemraj, who this shop is named after, moved to Triplicane more than 40 years ago from Rajasthan. He started out by trying to sell kulfi from a cycle before realising that he needed a new business plan. Kadai doodh, a Rajasthani delicacy made with spiced milk simmered in a special iron kadai, seemed unusual enough to stand out. The neighbourhood still lines up for glasses of his hot masala milk, which begins with 50 litres and then slowly thickens and changes colour, getting richer and richer through the night. A generous ‘half cup’ of milk, laced with cardamom, saffron, almonds and pistachios, is just Rs. 8, and is served with a flourish of cream on top. The chatty cooks will also throw in some sugary kova if they like you. Address: 73/35, Pycrofts Road, Triplicane. Tel: 9500513366

Thanigaivelan Inippagam “Our onion pakoda is special,” says Thanigaivelan, as one of his staff heaves a massive tray of knobbly, skilfully browned pakodas, chunky with caramelised onions and places it on the counter. The pakodas, a happy mix of crisp and chewy, have been made the same way for 20 years. Also, people like to buy pakodas and take them to the beach.”Address: 261/3, Pycrofts Road, Bharathi Salai, Narayana Krishnaraja Puram. Tel: 98411 84446

Ratna Café Started in 1948 this Triplicane institution is famous for its sambar, the recipe for which has been reportedly passed down through the years. Old timers who have eaten here for decades know they should ask for ‘sambar idli’ instead of the accepted ‘idli sambar’ format: because over here, the idlis are just a side show. However, do save some space for the ghee smeared podi idlis which are actually better.

Address: 255, Triplicane High Road. Tel: 9150149001

Link’s Traders – Quick Bites & Ice Gola The murukku sandwich is a Chennai specialty, and no one does it better than Link’s. Tiny crisp murukkus are slathered with pudina chutney so spicy that it forces you to buy a bottle of cold water to cool your mouth. Tomatoes, onions and a ridiculous amount of cheese is added before the entire wobbly construction is proudly served on a flimsy paper plate. Other favourites here are the corn canop (canapé?) with cheese and ice golas. Service is fast but the place is cramped, filled with college kids that stop here for a quick bite before heading home. Cost: Rs. 30 for a murukku sandwich and Rs. 50 for corn cheese canop Address: 22, Raja Annamalai Road (Opposite Dharmaprakash Marriage Hall)

Mehtaa’s Vada Pav The branch of the Sowcarpet Mehtaa’s makes their famous brand of vada pav more accessible. Run by the third generation of the Mehtaa family, the food here is as good as the Sowcarpet branch. An added bonus: there’s even an air-conditioned space where you can savour the chaat they so excel at. Cost: Rs. 20 for the classic vada pav and Rs. 30 for the cheese vada pav Address: 22/9, Raja Annamalai Road

Ashok Pan House For school students in the area, this is a frequent haunt. Thankfully, by late evening, the crowd has thinned. The tiny shop has been around for 25 years and specialises in sandwiches, paan and Masala ThumsUp. The cheese bhujia sandwich, made of white bread packed with thick slices of cucumber topped with sev, is a popular choice as is the chilli cheese toast. Opt for the Masala ThumsUp only if you really, really, really love chaat masala: the flavour can be quite overwhelming so it’s best to share. Cost: Rs. 60 for cheese bhujia sandwich and Rs. 20 for Masala ThumsUp Address: 3, Raja Annamalai Road

Venkateshwara Boli Stall While there’s some confusion as to whether this is an original branch of the famous boli stall in West Mambalam, the taste speaks for itself. Served on sheets of newspaper, the coconut boli is soft and delicious. Cost: Rs. 11 for two pieces Address: 43/111, Dr Alagappa Rd

Ajnabee Sweets Formerly known as Ajab’s Ajnabi Mithai Ghar, this offshoot of the Fountain Plaza chaat shop has made a name for itself in the area. Manager Dharshan says they are most busy in the morning hours, serving a breakfast of dhoklas and fafda from 7 a.m. on weekdays and 6:30 a.m. on Sundays. Parking may be a problem during peak hours. But the newly introduced methi fafda makes it worth your while: it is soft, yet crisp and flavourful.Cost: Rs. 40 per 100 gm of methi fafda Address: 51, Alagappa Road, Behind Sangam Theatre

King’s Vada Pav While the jalebis at Ajnabee look tempting, word on the street is that the shop facing it has better stuff. Barely eight months old, King’s has built a strong clientele based on taste. The jalebis are not served hot, but remain crisp and sweet, lacking the acidic tang often associated with jalebis.

Cost: Rs. 20 for 50 gm Address: 59, Alagappa Road, Behind Sangam Theatre

Hotel Sri Rama’s This little restaurant with a sweet shop attached has been around since 1950. Now managed by the grandson of the founder, they continue to serve Palakkad cuisine at competitive rates. As there’s no time for a proper meal, coffee will have to do. Cost: Rs. 8 per cup Address: 125/55, Purasawalkam High Road

Welcome Hotel is to Purasawalkam what Ratna Cafe is to Triplicane. The long walk has whetted appetites; many order idli or uthapam with the signature sambhar. We go with the vadai. It arrives at just the right temperature to dig in – perhaps that was because we paused to sprinkle the onion on it in just the right way to Instagram it – but it is delicious. Cost: Rs. 44 for a plate of two sambhar vadais Address: 112/241, Purasawalkam High Road

Old Lala Topi Walah High Class Sweets The name is intriguing but the man behind the counter is none too forthcoming with details about the store unfortunately. The sweets and samosa are displayed in charming old-fashioned glass cases. The counter itself is made of glass containers which hold a variety of murukkus and boondi. Address: 134, Gangadeeswarar Koil Street

Lingam Hot Chips Being used to huge, black kadais at the entrance to any chips shop, it is surprising to see an industrial sized fryer being cleaned here. The shop looks unassuming but places a high value on healthy cooking methods. Proprietor Harish says that their popular pakodas and banana chips are fried in oil that is used only once. “The jackfruit chips are made using a no oil method. It’s our own brand called Byocrips,” cost Rs 50for 35grms. he says.Address: 32, Gangadeeswarar Koil Street (Opposite Gangadeeswarar Koil)
http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/eating-with-eyes-wide-open/article6341753.ece dt. 23-08-2014

Kakada Ramprasad A sweet shop tucked in narrow Mint Street. Quite famous for its rich Badam Milk & fill your stomach Costs Rs. 70/- and is available in sealed tumblers for easy take away :) They have other Bengali & Milk sweets too. Check out their Malai Gulla – also a good sweet, if you have affinity for Bengali sweets. They do have Chat items but served only after 3pm onwards. Badam milk and malai gulla Pocket Friendly : Slightly high end! Address: New # 348, Old # 343, Mint Street Sowcarpet Chennai 600 079 Phone: 044-2538 8251. Next AM Jain Mandir

Anmol Mohit Lassi, Dinesh Soni @ 343 Mint Street I am a wrestler-turned-lassi walla,” he explains his rugged look. Speciality, kesar lassi, for the past 21 years says Dinesh, who hails from a family of goldsmiths. Apart from lassi, he also sells Mohit shampoo and hair oil, which he claims can cure all problems. He hopes his son Mohit will join the business after he finishes engineering. Cost: Rs. 70 for kesar lassi and Rs. 30 for chaas.

Ajnabi Mithai Ghar This is where Ajnabi originated 60 years ago, before setting up their popular Fountain Plaza outlet. Gathiyas, fafda, dhokla, thepla, gajar halwa, dudhi halwa…and all things Gujarati. Unfortunately, the fafdas are over, but the gathiyas make up for it. Cost: Rs. 70 for 1/4kg gathiya. Tel. 98403 61108

04442624626+91 9840177613, Time 07:00 AM to 09:00 PM

Maya Chat beside a large kadai dark with age and brimming with bubbling oil. The cook gets busy frying fluffy kachoris, which in no time get sold out like hot cakes…err kachoris. Served with bright green chutney, these spicy onion kachoris are a delight. Cost: Rs. 18. Tel: 98401 94323

Seena Bhai Tiffin Centre # 51, N.S.C. Bose Road Sowcarpet Chennai 600079 Tel. 044-25346263 94444 79797 No matter how full you are, take a walk to this 35-year-old eatery that opens at 6 p.m. Seena Bhai makes just two things — nei uthapam and nei idlis — and he does it to perfection. Dripping with ghee and tossed in podi and chutney, they are worth the long walk. Cost: Rs. 40 each

Maharaja Kulfis After all the namkeen, balance your palate with some creamy matka kulfi, rich with nuts. Then there’s the real mango ice cream, with virulent orange ice cream stuffed inside a frozen mango skin — it catches your fancy but tastes less impressive than it looks. Cost: Rs. 40 each. Tel: 99402 34566

This nameless sugarcane juice man is stationed outside Chotu Motu Sweets and Savouries( #360 Mint Street, Sowcarpet, Chennai- 600079) Nr Jain Temple. He rapidly fills endless glasses of freshly made juice from a large glass jar. The juice, infused with ginger, is sweet and refreshing. Cost: Rs. 10. Chotu Motu Sweets and Savouries , Sowcarpet , Chennai

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Saturday, August 30, 2014

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