OTBT - Through the eyes of a Foodie - Part II

Because Part I was just the appetizer. No seriously, I live to eat. If I cannot feel slim I can try to fatten up the world so that the theory of relativity works in my favour.

Madras Bhel Puri- Few meters into the first right adjoining Naidu Hall, T Nagar- A salad made of crunchy fresh veggies mixed with some mixture and porrie( murmura)- a very refreshing interpretation of Bhel Puri. They also make a good juice but road side type.

Murugan Idli shop- Inconsistent across branches- their idlis and the chakkarai pongal are excellent NOTE-The Besant Nagar one is very average, the T nagar ones are good ( opp Sundari Silks and on GN Chetty road)

Mansukhs- Good for a nice Rajasthani/ Gujju meal- don't miss the daal baati and also one of the few places that you get Bombay style farsaan. Even the hardcore non veggies like this veg place.

Karpagambal Mess- ( near the temple in Mylapore)- recalled by hiphopgrandma in the previous post- If you are the fussy type, better to pack and carry since the place is rather stuffy. But their food is really yummy and so are the podis( powders to accompany rice/ dosas etc). Almost as good as Grand Sweets ( now with a branch in Anna Nagar) ready mixes.

Ajnabee Chaat- Tucked inside one of the Egmore Malls, right of the flyover as you are approaching from Greams Road - Synonymous with Farsaan ( namkeen- Bakshannum)- you get authentic vada paav and kaakra and so on

Eatalica- CP Ramaswamy Road, Near Kaliappa Hospital- Erstwhile Kenzos, not for those battling the bulge, good burgers and pastas- they make a lovely spinach macaroni bake

Cornucopia- Opp Dhaba Express, Cenotaph Road- Reminds me of St Xavier's College Mumbai- Maybe the guys with a guitar who occasionally drop in or the patrons who seem so comfy with themsleves-. BTW the dessert section is great

Cup & Saucer- A chai place ( only one I know in Chennai), next to New Odyssey, Adyar- a place for araam - lovely mix of ambience, bean bags, interesting books, teas and a cuppa for every taste- to soothe your senses- they never ask you to leave even if it is only a basic cup of tea that you have had.

Sanjeevanam - Yes Prakash, it is an interesting experience. The die hard Kerala ( health) foodies will enjoy it though I miss the poppadams ! These guys do not use tamarind or sugar only Honey and Jaggery and lime/ raw mango. Was there yesterday for the Onam Sadhya- all good except that the daal payasam was terribly burnt and yet being served. On a normal day, the Rajakeeyam meal (available only for lunch) is a conversation piece. The meal begins with the raw ( juices/ salads) moves on to lightly cooked/ blanched & finally well cooked food. There is a set order in which things have to be eaten. Rice is served at the end. Ashamed to say, I had to top off the meal with a Subway burger to fill my stomach.

Pazhamuthir Nilayam- Thanks Visitor - This fruit/ veggies shop deserves a mention. Original one is in Tnagar ( opp Residency Towers)- really well stocked- they brought rambootan, kiwis and lychees to Chennai. Good fruit salads and juice available but I would rate the juice second to the one in the Petrol Bunk featured in Part I.

Zaras / New Yorker- A must for all the nostalgic veggie Mumbaikars in Chennai- go there and you will know why

Oily Bajjis/ Cotton Candy/ Corn on the cob on Elliots Beach- Nothing can beat this on a cool evening.

Need to try Anu Hasan's Squash'd- at least for the innovative name & because I loved her in the movie Indira ( in Adyar and Egmore)