Eating in Chennai - non spicy!

safari vala

allu paratha and plain lassi

Nick-H

Ate at Raintree Ecotel in St. Mary Road last week.

True, I had the most expensive thing on the menu (New Zealand Lamb Chops --- I love lamb, and miss it --- over Rs.1,000!!!) but the bill was rather ridiculous at over Rs 3,000 for two and .25 people.

(the quarter person was actually whole, but had a stomach upset so just ate a little rice!).

Was it worth it? Maybe for the view, which is fantastic, but, on the whole, no. For non-Indian, I think Tangerine is much better value. Was it up to five-star food standard? The food wasn't bad, but wasn't hot either. They gave butter that melted to liquid, and there is no non-smoking area. Could do better!

I find that I have become enormously critical of expensive eateries since being the guest of a relative who runs a posh hotel in UK's Lake District: his small notebook is never far away, and meals are punctuated by, 'how could this be better?' and, 'what's wrong with this?' discussions.

I was recommended Cornucopia. It is on Centataph Road. Haven't tried it yet, but will do, one day. Don't eat out very much, and when we do it is usually just tiffin items for lunch.

Had a piece of cake and a juice at Eco Cafe (Anoka --- spelling?) in Chamiers Road the other day, a favourite haunt of Yogagal, when she comes to Chennai. The place is really nice: it is very peaceful. The shop is worth a visit too, for special presents or a take-home treat: for 'boutique' quality clothes, their prices are really not bad. The cake and juice cost Rs.166, and Mrs N and I seldom spend that much on lunch for two! But I'll keep it on my once-in-a-while list, or place-to-take-visitors list.

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anubisgrau

try spencer plaza, you can have pizza, doughnuts, milkshakes etc.

safari vala

indian food is one of the joys of visiting India. It seems absurd to avoid the spices that make indian food unique. Korma dishes have no chillies or pepper etc.
Upuma is a blandish Tamil dish made of semolina. Try these. Don't pay a fortune for a meal. Or go to Canada for a holiday instead.

anubisgrau

fully agreed. a food dimension is a vital part of my enjoyment in india. not only upmarket places but also simple road stalls, chai shops, street kulfi wallahs..... and there's no place on earth where western food is so appaling as in india.

Nick-H

Not all of us like hot food, and not all of can eat it anyway.

The originator of this thread lives here, because (err... I think...) her husband is working here and I live here for all sorts of different reasons.

That doesn't mean we have to sign up to all the food and all the chilly. There are a million things (probably ) to visit India for. Food may be part of the experience, but it is not all of it: I eat plenty of local food.

Go on holiday to Canada? OK, might consider that one, next time I'm up for, and can afford, a long-haul trip that isn't UK

Otherwise, telling us to go somewhere else is just not useful.

safari vala

not all Indian food is what you goras call "hot". Cardamom, cinnmon,fennel,coconut , tamarind,mace,black salt, nutmeg,and corriander are all 'spice' of sorts and are used often in Indian cooking. Try it.

Nick-H

I think that, in the India context, 'spicy' means 'hot' means chilly.

I can't imagine that anyone is asking how to avoid the same spices as they might find in a rice pudding at home!

Is anyone here complaining about flavour?

No.

So your suggestion is nonsense, really...

madan80

lovely food... and best part is if you tell them how you want it, they will tailor it to suit you. there is the head waiter called Mohan. ncie guy.

Check out Murgan Iddili shop in T-Nagar for iddli and dosas and pongal. If you have a sweet tooth try the sweet pongal. Also, fi you have a good budget go to mainland china in Aruna. great food. Dynasty has good chinese as well.

For Singaporean food try a place called Singapore Rex in Chetpet.. good food.

For japanese food there is a restaurant on nungumbakkam high road near Ganpat hotel- will post the name as soon as i get it in my head.

There is a good thai restaurant in Alwarpet called Benjarong.

whereever you go- the chef's are open to putting less spice. also, check if there is black peper and tell them to reduce that.

Sparkys is a great place for american food - Thom is also there most of the time, and is of great help in customizing your food.

If you like seafood- there is a great place on Mount road in a hotel called Chennai Inn (near the mercedes benz showroom) called Something Fishy.

also, for decent Indian - food, there is a place called Mint (dont know if its still around, check out the paneer pasanda there).

Ceddars is on the Kotturpuram main road - opposite Adyar Villa. and its not lebanese food but more meditaranian food.
For some good middle east food - including sharwamas and stuff go to this place called Seashells. they have a branch in Annanagar as well as the main on in greams road near the mount road end.

The japanese restaurant is called Dahlia. On Nungumbakkam highroad.

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safari vala

plain iddli, plain egg dosai,paratha and raita etc.

Pelle

Eatalica on Sterling road serves burgers and sandwiches for reasonable prices as well