Indian Cuisine

[ramana]

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Vegetarian Delights

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Vegetarian Delights


With an eclectic menu that offers a wide range of exciting vegetarian fare, <b>Rasam</b> is a feast for the senses 


Dining in the traditional ambience of an old house has its own charms. After all, today we are used to entering fast food joints, pubs and even fancy new restaurants where the interiors sparkle with utra-modern furniture, neon lighting, stark walls and loud music. While that has an appeal of its own, there is something tremendously appealing about old-world charm.<b> Rasam, the vegetarian fine-dining restaurant run by Shri Krishna Sweets redefines vegetarian fine dining.</b> The restaurant, on the top floor of an old house with gabled roofs, which has been restored gracefully, has stylishly appointed interiors. The furniture has been recreated to enhance the traditional ambience of the interiors.

The restaurant is the brainchild of the immensely talented Chef Jacob; he was involved in the conception of the restaurant right from its interiors to the extensive menu. <b>Rasam specialises in Konganadu cuisine, which is native to Coimbatore and its neighbouring areas like Salem, Erode, Tirupur and Palani. The cuisine derives its unique flavours from the extensive use of sesame seeds, groundnuts, dry coconut and roasted turmeric. Jacob has concocted his own special masalas to add a distinctive touch to the dishes.</b>

<b>Lunchtime at Rasam is a feast for the senses.</b> There are two yummy thalis onf offer - the Special Kongunad Thali and the Regular Kongunad Thali. While the menu card offers an appetising array of a la carte dishes too, one strongly recommends the Special Konganadu Thali – you get to taste a rich assortment of delicious dishes from the menu. The meal, which is served course by course, starts with a refreshing panagam followed by a piquant soup that fires your taste buds. Next comes an enticing mini-thali refreshingly covered with a fresh green banana leaf with two varieties of salad, a mini dosa, sambhar, vada and vazhaparai (banana) dosa. The banana dosa is scrumptious – with a crisp casing and a melt-in-the-mouth filling. <b>Then comes the main course with this enormous thali set with many little katories brimming with an assortment of commonplace and exotic fare</b> - there is biryani, dal rice, kothu parotta, sambhar, rasam, a poriyal, thick creamy curd, and a variety of curries. This is followed by steamed rice, payasam, mixture and flavoured tea. The dal rice (Arisi Paruppu Saatham) is simply awesome – a rich blend of rice and dal with Chef Jacob’s secret masalas. <b>At night time, you can opt for a variety of interesting dosas and idiappams</b> – like caulifower masala dosa, paneer masal dosa, kaaikari kothu idiappam, raagi idiappam and a superb range of parottas. For starters you could choose from a delicious variety of Vadais and Varuvals. The Kongu Kaalan Varuval – deep fried mushrooms in a special masala powder is delicious.<b> Don’t miss the varieties of Paniyarams </b>– they are served with three different chutneys. For dessert try out Rasam’s speciality - Ilaneer Payasam – a refreshing payasam made with tender coconut and its shavings, served chill. Another must-have is the Ilaneer Halwa, which is made with black jaggery and rice flour; it is delightful.

Rasam is most definitely worth a visit for foodies.

An average meal for two would cost about Rs300. Rasam is on 25 Raja Annamalai Road, Purusawakkam. Tel: 43560101.


VINITA NAYAR

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Sigh!

Gabbar Singh's Adda

WOW! I thought GS was just a daku from Chambal type mileu.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->