Karunaas Veg

What to eat: Idly, Dosa and Parotta

Where: Karunaas Vegetarian Restaurant, Arunachalam Road, Saligramam

Verdict: Despite the fact of being a hardcore non-vegetarian, sometimes I had to give up my principles because of friends and family. Tonight my friends were keen on vegetarian meal for dinner due to Purattasi Saturday. Though it caused immense sadness to me, I had to suggest them "thirunelveli saivaal" hotel in Saligramam.

As the thirunelveli hotel was closed bit early, we had to go to a nearby eatery. Few weeks back we had lunch at the non veg restaurant of Karunas in upstairs. Tonight we opted for the vegetarian restaurant in the ground floor.

Literally there are no limits on the amount of sambar, 3 types of chutney (coconut / mint / tomato) and Vattha kulambu. Even the aviyal and kuruma were served till we say stop.

Here is the list of dishes what we had for dinner.

Idly(10₹) - It was a regular idly when eaten with sambar or chutney. But vatta kulambu enhanced the taste to a higher level.

Garlic Dosai(60₹) - A spicy dosa made of dosa batter mixed with ground garlic. Gunpowder was sprinkled at the center with some onion as stuffing. All of us appreciated the taste.

Baby corn Dosai(60₹) - Regular plain dosa with baby corn masala stuffing. Felt like masala was over spiced. But my friends liked it.

Veg Kottu Parotta(60₹) - Never had such a good veg Kottu earlier. Loved the aroma and the fillings like potato and carrot. It was served with veg kuruma. But I prefer to have it alone.

Adai Aviyal(50₹) - Almost tasted like a home-made. We asked for little aviyal and had it with chutney.

Thooduvalai (Solanum Trilobatum) Dosai (40₹) - Though it is not a tasty one, I wanted to have it as I was suffering from cold. Thooduvalai is a creeper which is used as a remedy for cold in villages in Tamil Nadu. Thooduvalai leaves were ground and added to the dosa batter before cooking the dosa. They also have vallarai(generally given to kids for brain development) and mudakattan (balloon vine plant leaves used to treat joint pain) dosai.

Filter coffee (20₹) - A big let down. Tasted almost like an instant coffee.

Dinner for four of us costs 400₹. Parking is a big problem if you come in a four-wheeler as this eatery is located on one of the busiest roads in Vadapalani area. But two-wheelers can be parked in front of the restaurant. Not sure if they accept plastic, generally cash is the king in such smaller eateries.

Venz Restaurant

What to eat: Briyani

Where: Venz Restaurant, Opp DLF, Ramapuram

Verdict: Whilst talking with my friend, came to know about this restaurant which was opened just 2 days back at the first floor of a building near Rahman briyani. Heard the grills were too good. So decided to have today's lunch over there.

Ordered just a chicken briyani(140₹) as it's a solo visit. Quantity is not that big like other near by restaurants, but the taste makes it a perfect biriyani. Pretty flavorful basmati rice based briyani served with a big piece of chicken and boiled egg. Onion raita was the only accompaniment. But it went well as it allows me to feel the flavor. IMHO this is the best basmati rice briyani near DLF.

Happy to know that they are going to start delivery shortly near DLF entrance. Another important note is that they are going to start selling bucket briyani and introduce combo options after the end of Purattasi. Strictly told the owner that I will order bucket briyani only if they keep a layer of plantain leaf. He nodded immediately and said that what he is planning as well.

Overall its a nice place for briyani and grills near dlf to go along with the friends and colleagues. Last but not the least. GST is included in the menu card price. So if it says 140₹ for briyani, you don't pay even a single penny more than that.

Mangalambiga Vilas

What to eat: South Indian Tiffin

Where: Mangalambiga Vilas Kaapi Hotel, Near Adi kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

Location:

 

Verdict: Mangalambika vilas is a historical mess(place where people eat & socialize) located on an alley leading to the kumbeswarar temple. It is not an easy thing to run a restaurant for decades. But they have made it for more than 100 years. This tiny eatery is serving homely food since 1914.
One Mr.Hariharan Iyer came to Kumbakonam at the age of 14 and worked this eatery which was then owned by an old lady named Thayu patti. Later he bought it from the old lady as she was unable to manage it.

Not knowing the actual year of foundation, they just kept a board saying "Since 1914". It is now managed by Hariharan Iyer's son. Locals refer to it as "Sannidhi Kadai".
If you're looking for a good ambience, then this place is not for you. People come here to taste the traditional food.

You need to have enough patience to eat at this heavily crowded place. By the time we entered the place most of the items like arisi uppiya were finished. So just got 2 pairs of idly and 2 special dosai (they call it as special maavu).

Idly was steaming hot and pillowy soft. Special dosa is just another crispy dosai. What made the meal special was the kadamba sambar. It had different varieties of dal such as toor dal, chana dal, chick peas, moong dal. Chutney was a coconut+red chillie one which was slight yellowish in color, but very very fresh.

As usual I got a filter coffee at the end. Final bill was 137₹ for 2 of us. Meal was worth every penny. If I get a chance to visit again, I would like to taste arisi uppuma and adai. All I can say is just don't miss this place if you hit Kumbakonam, the city of temples.