Aadhirai

Unexpected visit fullfilled our taste buds. We were searching a restaurant to have lunch and we found this restaurant. Just one page menu but all are different. Everything we ordered tasted great! Even a curd rice with potato pottalam was damn good. Chicken Lollipop 3 kinds Pulikesi Lollipop (Sweet), Nesamani Lollipop (spicy), Vedimurugun Lollipop(red hot spicy) we opted Nesamani and that itself spicy but damn good masala. Properly made without any gram flour coating, chicken was soo soft unlike in any Chinese restaurant. Lastly they suggested to try Madhulai Payasam. Served in an authentic tea glass, it was soo delicious, thanks to the person who suggested it. Everything was served hot and fresh. Some dishes takes time, but they informed prior to order. For curd rice with potato pottalam they requested for 15 to 20 mins and we were like, wait, what??? For curd rice???? But worth the wait, the potato was roasted crisp and then fried with authentic masala and served in a banana leaf pack where the potato was packed straight from the kadaai 😋 And then we tried our favourite Nethili fry, I must say that after more than a decade I tasted a Nethili fry like this. These many years wherever I tried it was all either not cleaned properly or coated with gram flour (kind of Nethili bajji). But here the masala was so crisp and the fish was fried very well. You can feel the taste of the fish and the masala very well. A must try restaurant with family, better go on weekdays, weekends might be too busy.

About the restaurant: Aadhirai is a new restaurant in Jambulingam Street,Nungambakkam. There was another restaurant here earlier (if you have ever visited them). The content is curated by Mad Chef Koushik Shankar who is known to turn around the not so famous restaurants to become a Super Hit. This place is just opposite to a prominent physician’s clinic & also a prominent kollywood movie director’s office is also at close proximity. They have enough space for 2/4 wheeler parking. The interiors were done tastefully. Aadhirai, is a tamil name & it literally means “A Special Star”. They are yet to open the first floor for the diners which is getting set up. Ground floor is functioning as of now. We, the bloggers were invited to the first floor and were given briefing about the restaurant & the food. I was amazed by the display of select items which includes the age old copper boiler, hot cases (which were kept in display on the showcase). We were told that each of those hot case which looked brand new were Infact more than 60 years old. The bill/brand stickers were also intact. The wall painting was done by a single person in a month. I was awe struck by its beauty. I’m sure, even you too will. This is definitely a cosy place which you wouldn’t want to miss :) About the Food: It was certainly a perfect lunch. We were briefed about every dish in detail before being served. Hence we knew what we were having in prior which is much appreciated. What were the items that got served? The list is extensive. To begin with, we were served with water. There’re were three varieties of it. You read it right! 1) Pathimukkam 2) Jeera & 3) Cucumber with Basil This was followed by an altogether different drink called Panagal Granita (its a Panagariya served in the form of Granita). We were then served with Vadams which came along with 4 different dips namely 1) Tomato Thokku 2) Mirapakaya Pachadi 3) Avakaya Mayo & 4) Garlic Dip Then came soup - Malli Rasam for Vegetarian & Kozhi Rasam for Non-Vegetarian. This was followed by Starters which included: Vegetarian: 1) Loaded Yam Nachos 2) Vazhaipoo Vada 3) Gobi Ghee Roast 4) Karuvepillai Paneer Non Vegetarian: 1) Kozhi 2019 2) Kozhi Kaal Nei Roast 3) Madurai Mutton Chukka 4) Guntur Prawn Fry In beverage, we were served Kadalai Mittai Banana Shake. In the main course, I, for the first time had Puliogare with Uppu Kari & Coconut Thuvaiyal. I’m sure, even you wouldn’t have heard or eaten this. This was followed by Desserts which were served in tea tray. The items included: 1) Pomegranate Payasam 2) Coconut Scuffle 3) Falooda 4) Kubani Ka Meetha 5) Black Forest Akkaraivadisal & 6) Karupatti Panacotta Regarding the dishes: a) They were unique. b) They were tasty. c) They would make you drool over it - again. d) They are prepared meticulously. e) They are awesome 😍 Do not forget to ask for their super special cuts rice & three flavour Paneer (From low to super-hot flavours).

First of all, the idea of ambience was good but not a well lit place. The food was of pure Karaikudi style and taste was so good though it is bit expensive. Kizhi chicken parotta is a must try one.

The Restaurant has been modeled inside a old vintage home in the streets of nungambakkam...The Ground floor with couple of rooms equipped with 5-6 tables in a quite cozy dining area...The Ambiance has borrowed from its predecessor and does echo the type of food they are serving..The first floor has another room which right now is used as PDR with plans of making it a regular place too... The Service was polite and courteous with the server who served using having a very good good idea of the menu and also the ingredients and method of cooking used..Really apprieciated... Below are items we were served and my take on each of them.. Vadams with Dips : Regular rice vadams/fryums were served with 4 types of dips..The Mirpakaya Pachadi, Avakkai Mayo, Garlic Dip, Pineapple thokku..All were unique and good in taste.. Tomato Jeragam Soup : Perfectly infused jeragam in a thick tomoto soup this was more like a tomato rasam with a spicy and peppery taste.. Vaazhai Poo Vadai : As perfect as vadai needs to be..Crispy on the outside and loaded with taste and aroma inside..I must say everything about this vadai was just Right.. Davangarey Corn & Peas : Crispy fried corn with a twist as it also has some crispy fried peas tossed in chili along with some fried groundnuts..It was similar in taste to namma ooru kara boondhi but with corn and peas.. Pulikesi Paneer : Paneer sticks fried and then cooked in a tomato based sauce to give a slightly sweet taste..The tanginess of the tomato and sweetness were balanced out though.. Ghee Roast Chicken : Same as Above but made with chicken..This one however was the best of the lot with pleasant aroma of the ghee along with some yummy well fried juicy chicken pieces.. Nesamani Lollipop : One spicy dish this one was where small lollipops were coated in a spicy marinade and fried..with perfectly cooked juicy meat and was loaded with flavor this one is a must try for sure.. Chicken 65 : Namma ooru chicken 65 which resembles the taste from the roadside kadai..And the taste i really like..Meat used was also juicy and really good.. Guntur Prawns : Fresh prawn cooked in a guntur based spicy semi gravy..The Taste was decent but since i had it after the lollipop i could feel much spiciness but it has some yummy tangines to it.. Nethili Fry : Typical nethili fry this one was with taste just about decent..The spiciness could have been a bit more and also it had a slight raw smell to it.. Madurai Mutton Chukka : The best in terms of taste..The Chukka was made with some tender pieces of mutton..The Meat was well cooked and had absorbed all the flavors and it was just too good..am salivating as i am writing about it.. Spicy Andhra Chili Chicken : Spicier version the chili chicken made with some juicy chicken pieces..cooked along with some generous pieces of capsicum the spiciness level was high but overall taste was something that was left in your tongue for some time.. Pottalam Parotta : Parottas soaked in a chettinad chicken gravy and packed in a banana leaf and served..The Packing of the parottas in the banana leaf did help the parottas as they were well soaked and absorbed all the flavors and packing them in a banana leaf did help to lock all the flavors.. Desserts : To Start of is a Rose Falooda which is pretty basic but a well made one followed up by Coconut Panacotta which was best IMO with the subtle flavor of the coconut i just loved it..The Karupatti Panacotta was not not much far behind with karupatti infused well in the pannacotta..And also i loved the texture and consistency of both these panacottas...The Pomegranate payasam was a first time try and i loved it but just felt it was a bit extra sweet..Blackforest akkravadisal was just crushed blackforest topped with some ice cream..The Qubani ka Mitha was a disappointment to me as it was more of ice cream and less qubani ka mitha.. With a pleasant and cozy ambiance along with a good service team AADHIRAI is a must try and something i would recommend for sure in chennai..

Very good taste, meal worth giving a try for sure. Nice ambiance. First Floor is yet to be open for dine-in, the management said they will open for service from Jan 2020. Ground floor is has very limited sitting arrangment, kindly make a reservation. Enjoy your meal.