Medu vada & Masala vada from Murugan Idli Shop - Chennai

Murugan idli shop is considered among the best to taste South Indian dishes. Idly, Dosai and Meals are enjoying the prominent positions among the menu of a south Indian.They are proud to serve it for you at its best. Welcome to feel your Grandma’s own taste.The taste of dishes from Murugan Idli shop is there in the tongues of each one from Madurai for last long 15 years. Few years ago Murugan Idli shop was a new one for Chennaites. But in a short span they proved their uniqueness and became the favourite destination to taste Idly , Dosai, Medu vada , Masala vadas and real meals…..

Visit here for more Idli and Dosa

Chennai Branches

1. 77-1/A,G.N. Chetty Road, T. Nagar
Telephone : 044-28155462, 044-42025076

2. 46/13 North Usman Road, T.Nagar
Telephone : 044-42084842
044-28155399

3. 108, 109, Triplicane High Road,
Hamedia Shopping Mall, Triplicane. Telephone : 044 - 42156066

4. E. 149/1 6th Avenue,
Besant Nagar,(Opp.Vilankanni Church) Chennai - 600 090
Telephone : 044 - 42018181

5. No.9 Ramanathan Street,Usman Road, T.Nagar,Chennai - 17
Telephone :044 - 24345343

Sambar, coconut chutney, medu vada and masala vada

Find out here more Idli and Dosa....

Weekend buffet at Mainland China - Chennai

The restaurant claims to be “the finest Chinese restaurant” in Chennai.

Right from the Manipuri hostess ( not across the Great wall of China – but from the North East of India ) at the entrance ( to resemble a Chinese) one is taken for a ride. The place is crowded and noisy with people weaving , pushing and shoving their way to help themselves at the buffet tables ( ideally they should have set up 2 sets of serving tables).

Dim sum ( with chicken filling )





Chinese tea

Only saving grace is Dim sums served - which tastes somewhat like the original Chinese ones and the Chinese tea. Rest all is typical (Chinese style) Indian dishes with a couple of noodles thrown in – all prepared in corn flour base – and everything tasting alike.

Soup – Supposed to be Seafood coriander ( but see for yourself in the picture – it is egg-white corn flour soup).

Starters – Dim sums, Chicken drumstick, Fried wanton( not tasting like wanton – taste like samosa stuffing wrapped in pappad), cucumber pickle and sour cabbage.

Main course - Chicken noodles, Veg fried rice, Crab, Seafood Manchurian, prawns, lamb sauce, chicken, tofu, chicken salad ( all gravies prepared in corn flour / tomato sauce).

Dessert – Two varieties of ice cream, plum cake (cut in 1 inch square).

All this for a Rs.425 ( plus taxes).

The food is ok ( assuming that one gets the same stuff everywhere in India in the name of Chinese cuisine); but not the one you expect from a specialty Chinese joint. I don’t recommend “Main land China” Chennai, if one is looking for tasty food and a peaceful ambiance. Not a value for money deal but just another hype.

Mainland China,
Hotel Tulip Aruna Complex,
144/145, Sterling Road,
Nungambakkam,
Chennai - 600 034.

Tel : (044) 28238345 / 42317920
Email : mlcchennai@eth.net
Timing :
Lunch:
12:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Dinner :
7:30 pm - 12:30 pm

A boat cruise along Marine drive at Kochi ( Cochin), Kerala

Kochi ( also Cochin, Ernakulum) is known as the “ Queen of Arabian Sea”. With water bodies all around Cochin, passing thru Kochi is virtually a visual treat. Kochi is also the financial capital of Kerala ( just like Mumbai to India).

Kochi is famous for its spices trade along with its coconut trade. Hence Kochi always found a prime place among traders; from time immemorial. Due to this trading opportunity, a wide spectrum of trading community from world over can be found in Kochi - like the Jews and a variety of Gujarati traders. Kochi also is very warm and friendly to all her visitors and people find it convenient to shop here and move around.

Among other attractions in Kochi are the Chinese fishing nets, the only Jewish Synagogue ( Jewish place of worship) , the marine drive – which is on the banks of back waters and the Boulgatti Palace islands – which used to be the holiday palace of the Kochi kings.

Leisure trips on boats along backwaters are available from the Marine Drive – which is a picturesque promenade in Kochi, Kerala, India. It is built facing the backwaters, and is a popular hangout for the local populace. Ironic to its name, no vehicles are allowed on the walkway. Marine Drive is also an economically thriving part of the city of Kochi.

The cruise will give a visitor an opportunity to pass the places of interests like the Cochin shipyard ( the largest ship building yard in India), the naval base at Southern Naval Command and a look at the beautiful coast line of Kochi.

Various package deals are available for boat cruise. We went for an hour boat cruise along the backwaters – which cost us Rs.40 per head. There were around 40 people – who were conveniently seated at the roof of a boat of moderate size. There are exclusive boats available for a family – but the deals will be expensive. There are also boat rides available which are of 3 hr duration.

Hungry Kya ? Here' s the unlimited Kerala buffet lunch and enjoy photos....

Visit here for Alleppey Houseboat cruise, Houseboat kitchen and Toddy shop in Kuttanadu....

Cochin shipyard

Marine drive

Boat cruise starts from Marine drive

Nirapayum Nilavilakkum

Nirapara ( Nira – meaning “full” , Para – a measure used in olden days to quantify grains) is a Kerarite symbol of wealth and “ Nilavilakku” ( the traditional lamp) – a symbol of prosperity . These two combined represent the sign of wealth and prosperity in Keralite tradition.

I got a couple of snaps for you. Now a days, its trendy in Kerala to display these in lobbies of hotels and business establishments.

Nilavilakku


Nirapara