Three and a half meals in Chennai

Was in Chennai over the weekend and for a change got to eat out a lot. My typical chennai trip consists of lots of meals at various relatives houses and not too much eating out. I mean to say no point telling you lot that the Garlic rasam at Bhanu Chithi's house rocks since you won't be getting any.

Some quick observations in general.
Sambar really rocks in Chennai. Compared to the sweet Udipi crap you get in Mumbai such a pleasure to get some real sambar with spice and flavor.
I hate the bloody government for shutting down Drive In Woodlands. It was bliss for breakfast and whoever thought of not renewing the lease should be drowned in Udipi sambar of the worst kind.
Chennai is odd. Most people go out and eat the same kind of food they get at home. Even in places like Saravana Bhavan the number of people still eating meals is insane.

Had a decentish meal at a place in CHennai Citi Centre. Sangeethas or something. While my cousins od ed on Paneer (Their meal was Paneer Tikka, Paneer Koftas and Paneer Parathas. Shudder!) I had something called a Cauliflower dosa. (Shades of mumbai coming here). Con job where instead of the Alu sabji which you get inside a masala dosa you got a Cauliflower sabji. Outstandingly average but saved by the aforementioned Sambar and some rocking Chutney

Lunch was at a Saravana Bhavan with seating and AC. (Chennai of course being one of the cities where you need a AC through the year. Exception being the 4 hours in December where the temperature sort of looks towards the 20s and the thathas get their Monkey Caps out) While various people indulged in meals, more paneer et al I ordered the Mini Idly and Kaima Idly. The mini idly is a great concept where you get lots of bite sized idlis (12-14) all drenched in Sambar and then served piping hot. (Key words here being piping hot - The idlis and not just the frigging Sambar). Each idli has sambar infused and tastes incredible. The Kaima idly is something which only Chennai could invent. Basically a fried idli crumbled up and then served like a Keema. The veggie varient of Keema (hence Kaima in Chennaiese. Anita - simple enough for you ?) Just a feast of carbs. Incidentally Saravana also has a super rich all natural ice cream range which is just too creamy and hard.

Then a meal at something called Cornucopia. Average vaguely continental food of the type done to show that you have cool tastes. Galloping Gooseberry does this much better in Chennai. Redeemed solely by some awesome lemonade (Had Cinnamon in it. Finished a pitcher) and a really good Passion Fruit Sorbet. Just go for the lemonade and dessert.

The half meal was at the Chennai Citi Centre food court. Extremely bleah food with absolutely no memory of what was consumed. The only thing I recall are the Cookie Man cookies for afters.