Sree Aryass Theni

What to eat: South Indian Tiffin

Where: Sree Aryass Restaurant, Cumbum Road, Theni

Verdict: It was a simple breakfast b jiefore climbing up the western ghats in Theni. Ordered for idly (13₹), dosai (46₹), Poori set (48₹), Vadai(12₹) and coffee (19₹). Idly and dosa were served alongwith sambar, coconut chutney and tomato chutney.

Good thing about this resto is sweet kesari was served for each person with no additional cost. Dry and oily idly powder was kept in two small vessels on the table.

Overall a decent place for Tamil food. Have to try meal on another trip.

Madurai Arulanandham Hotel

What to eat: Madurai Style Non-Veg Cuisine

Where: Arulanandham Hotel, Near Vilakathoon, Madurai

Location:
 


Verdict: After some tiresome street shopping, we took some parcel from Arulanandham mess. This eatery serves non-veg cuisine only during afternoon from Monday to Saturday. Don't get disappointed by visiting for dinner or on Sunday. Packed egg biriyani(120₹), mutton biriyani(150₹) , chicken chops(120₹), mutton sukka varuval(120₹), fish fry(120₹), mutton kola urunai - a local version of mutton meat balls for 30₹ per piece.

Mutton biriyani had lot of pieces, but no egg. Egg biriyani had 2 boiled eggs. Both of them are not-so-spicy briyani made of tiny seeraga samba rice. Chicken chops was nothing but a country chicken (Nattu kozhi) leg piece on a thick creamy gravy. Fish fry was a crispy tawa fried thin slice of king fish.

Not an extraordinary food..But no qualms at all in any food item that we have tasted. Pricing was bit cheap as it's an eatery for the common man  of Madurai. No menu card, but the menu was painted on the boards placed at the entrance. Hand-written bills...Cash is a king here...they don't accept any card. This place is well known for the non-veg meal, not for biriyani. You can try if visiting Madurai and then can visit famous jigarthanda shop which is just in a walkaway distance. For Chennaites, you may try their only branch in T.Nagar, Chennai which is an A/C resto.

Jayaram Restaurant - Owned by Jayaram Bakery

What to eat: Multi Asian Cuisine

Where: Jayaram Restaurant, Theni Main Road, Kalavasal, Madurai

Location:

Verdict: Most of the people living Madurai are aware of Jayaram bakery for their delicious baked breads and cakes. However they may not be aware of the restaurant owned by the same management. They have a restaurant above their bakery near Periyar Bus stand. But the one in Kalaval is pretty big with lot of parking space and a small children's playing area.

We visited their Kalavasal branch for dinner. My wifey just opted for plain dosa, but the rest want to order for something different and new.

Here are the appetizers that we have ordered.

Vaigai Chicken (120₹) - An oil fried version of juicy Chicken Satay served along with spicy barbeque sauce. One can order Satay sticks if like to consume less oil.

Fish Fingers (150₹) - Crispy lengthy fried fishes served with mayonnaise based sweet condiment. Never to miss it in future visits.

Chicken Lollypop (140₹) - We thought it would be in chinese style, but the one served was deep oil fried. Can give it a miss on next visit.

Here are the mains

Butter Naan (35₹) - Thin and crispy. Nice to have it hot.

Butter chicken masala (130₹) - Bit sweet gravy with crispy chicken pieces. Goes well along with the naan.

Schezwan Chicken Fried Rice (130₹) - Just okay. Nothing much to say on this.

Finally washed down with jigarthanda (60₹). But it's nothing compared to the original one served at "famous jigarthanda" shop in vilakkuthoon or even murugan idly kadai.

Overall it was nice meal if not ordered for lollipop and Jigarthanda. Good part of this visit is the time kids spent in the play area which is free of cost.