Desi News Corp - Index

Desi News Corp - Desi News - May 2009 - Index

“ I
like the chattais on the
windows!” exclaimed
my friend Kanta as we
drove up to Karaikudi for
lunch.
“Oh, look at that,” she continued,
pointing to the heavy
wooden double doors, as we
approached the entrance
Kanta is one of those people
who go into ecstacies over ethnic
touches. Sometimes I think
she drools more over curtains
and lamps than the food when
we go out for our periodic girls’
day out.
The interior of the new restaurant
in the east end pleased
her as well. Particularly, the sections
made with bamboo slats
on the ceiling.
“I wish the walls were a little
less bright,” she said thoughtfully,
looking around the spacious
interior. “But then, walls
in huts are ochre which can look
orange in certain light,” she
conceded. “And I love the motifs
on the walls!”
The matter happily settled,
we turned our attention to the
buffet.
Karaikudi offers a weekday
buffet lunch for $9.99. While
one can also order from the a
la carte menu, the extensive buffet
looked interesting.
Along with the usual suspects
– rice, parathas, sambhar,
papad, salad, chutneys, etc. –
there were a few unusual dishes.
Chettinad fettucini, for one.
Both Kanta and I loved the
pasta slathered in masala. After
all, the restaurant is named after
Karaikudi, a town in Tamil
Nadu that is home to the Chettiar
community,
famous for
their spicy
cuisine.
There were
also potato
sticks cooked
with peanuts,
cabbage and
potato poriyal,
shrimp curry,
chicken bir-
NARI MAVALWALLA/DESI NEWS
The hot
new taste
in town
• TOP: The fully-equipped bar at
Karaikudi. RIGHT AND BOTTOM
LEFT: The wooden beams, rosewood
pillars and the motifs on the
walls, all add to the ambience.
yani, and a delicious khara
kozhumbu.
The experienced chefs from
Tamil Nadu ensure that what
comes to your table are authentic,
traditional, Chettinad dishes.
We started with bowls of
piping hot rasam – the high
pepper content upping the heat
quotient.
While we waited for fresh
dosas to be brought to the table,
in walked three other ladies.
Karaikudi
“Essence of South Indian Cuisine”
desiLICIOUS!
Obviously regulars, they were
joyfully greeted by the staff.
“I am warning you, we are
very hungry today!” announced
one, as they settled in.
So were we, and dug into our
food, enjoying each spicy
mouthful.
Then, guilt kicked in, and
thinking that the families
should not be denied, we placed
our take-out orders: Nandu
masala (spicy crab masala,
INCLUDES A 100-SEAT BANQUET HALL
1225 Kennedy Road, Scarborough, north of Lawrence.
416-701-0003.
NARI MAVALWALLA/DESI NEWS
$13.99), Chettinad chicken
($8.99), a big hit with the kids
the last time we ate here.
Having done our motherly
bit, we headed for dessert.
Kanta, the more disciplined of
the two, took a tiny bowl of the
aval payasam (poha) and piled her
plate with fruit.
My excuse being that I have
to try everything to write about
it, I had both the payasam and
the pineapple kesari and am
happy to report both were
good.
A few nights later, back with
another friend for dinner, I had
a Kanta moment.
A soft light pooled each table
in an intimate glow.
“Oh, love that light!” I said.
– SUVARNA SHASTRI