Malgudi (Chennai)

The South in your mouth

R.K. Narayan's Malgudi is said to be a microcosm of India. While its namesake on the basement of the hotel Savera cannot make such a tall claim, what it can positively lay a claim to is its status as a melting pot of South India. While you are greeted with a basket of pimentos to your left as you enter the restaurant, the real thing does not start till you order the food. Ask for the Nadan Kozhi Curry (chicken cooked with coconut, coriander, mustard and pepper) with soft, freshly baked appams, and experience the essential spice of the South. Or try out the Malabar Mutton Curry, and negotiate the hot spice even as you lick your lips with the superlative taste. A meal at Malgudi should ideally end with either hot Carrot Halwa (in its Southern avatar, much sweeter and less dry) or a Cassata ice-cream, which cools the tongue even as it regales with its various tastes. Malgudi is indeed a savera when it comes to South Indian food, especially to palates used to equating Southern cuisine with nothing beyond idlis, dosas and vadas.

Ambience                ★★★★
Service                    ★★★★
Presentation            ★★★★
Taste                      ★★★★

http://chennai.burrp.com/listing/malgudi_dr-radhakrishnan-salai_chennai_restaurants/120397089