Triplicane Ratna Cafe

What to eat: Just Idly and Sambar

Location: Ratna Cafe, Triplicane, Chennai

Verdict: It was a peaceful drive on the Chennai roads after several months as most of the people left to their home town for Diwali. Parked our car in Pycrafts road aka Bharathi Salai and walked towards the place where they serve one of the world's best sambar. Yes. It is Ratna Cafe. Do I need to say what we order. It's as usual a pair of idlies submerged in a plate full of sambar. Before I finished it, the friendly server refilled my plate with sambar for 3 times.

Both Idly and Sambar were divine. Got a big medu vada as well. Ended the dinner with an awesome filter coffee. Later walked down to my car and I felt like Bharathi mess and Kasi Vinayaga Mess calling me to come in...Next time buddies. Dinner for 3 for us costs 227₹.

Idly

Medu Vadai

Filter Coffee

Nair Mess

What to eat: Authentic Kerala style Fish Meal

Where: Nair Mess, Chepauk, Chennai

Verdict: After finishing some business at Bharati Salai and we had planned to have some good lunch. I was in a dilemma of choosing Bharathi Mess or Kasi Vinayaga Mess (Mess means an informal restaurant in Tamilnadu). Finally chose Nair Mess for fish meals.

Ordered 2 meals, 2 fish curry and 2 fish fry. Meals was just a normal stuff of steamed rice, sambar, rasam, beetroot poriyal, koothu, Butter milk. I never had Sambhar here. My target is always the fish curry and fish fry. Fish curry came in a small cup, but I got 2 free refills ... it was little sour, bit watery, yummy as usual. Fish fry was too big in size and slice was a thick one. Some people may not like the fish gravy like my friend who is a reddy garu eating only chilles. Lunch set us back by 624₹.

This eatery is located in an alley opposite to Chepauk cricket stadium. Do not expect a fast service as this place is always crowded. A must try eatery if you like mallu style Fish curry and fry cooked using coconut oil. May be next time I have to try Kasi Vinayaga Mess which was featured in a recent video released by US Embassy-Chennai. And also should visit Bharathi Mess if any friend accompanies for a vegetable meal. Triplicane is always a heaven for foodies. If you ever come to Chennai, do visit Triplicane for delightful Veg and NonVeg food.