ITP Indian Travel Places: Food, Travel, Tourism Business Events and Trade Shows
Phone: 044 30853819
Address: 34/29, 2nd Main Road, Kasturibai Nagar, Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Time: 12 Noon – 9:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 800
Cuisines: European, Cafe, Italian, Salad, Sandwich, Continental, American, Beverages
Facilities: Home Delivery, Wheelchair Accessible, No Alcohol Available, Table booking recommended, Smoking Area, Desserts and Bakes, Indoor Seating, Wifi, Table Reservation Not Required
That Madras Place, Adyar, Chennai: Decor
I felt a comfortable familiarity as I walked into a lonely That Madras Place. Maybe the Monday blues had got the better of this Adyar restaurant that has occupied the same ground floor of a house in one of the bylanes. The same differently coloured chairs to sit on and day’s specials announced on black slates. One wall keeps me engrossed with graffiti all over it, till my food arrives.
That Madras Place, Adyar, Chennai: Food
Enter: Pumpkin and Green Apple Soup. Thick, full bodied with a hint of sweetness from the green apple right at the end. I add a little bit of salt along with a couple of twists from the pepper mill. Bam! The soup now has a new personality that I completely enjoy to the last drop.
Different shapes, same size. The Avocado Fries are batter coated and deep fried. I am happy that the oil does not ooze out of this buttery fruit that is so valued for its nutrition. And I hope it hasn’t lost its nutrients in the frying. Because avocado, by itself, is bland even though it is buttery, I dip it in the sriracha sauce. Of course, the boom element suddenly makes its appearance, and the whole experience gets elevated from muted sophistication to fiery sensation. Maybe, I used too much sauce.
Made using dry Thai red chillies, the Grilled Dancing Chicken carries flavors from the basil and onions. Basil makes its presence felt right at the beginning, with its aroma. While the chilli is mild, it does carry a sting, which is quickly soothed away by the sweetness from the jaggery finish that comes at the end. If you are into sea food, you must try the Goan Prawn Curry with Rice. The paste that goes into this curry comes from Goa and is made by a very old company that knows its food and the business of making it right. Since the paste is so pungent, it needs to be subdued with a bit of cream and coconut milk. I’m fine with it and love the succulence of the fresh prawns, happily mixing the curry with my rice and polishing it off using my fingers.
The Ghee and Cardamom Cake is based on That Madras Place owner, Mathangi’s granny’s recipe. Soft, fresh and warm, it goes beautifully with sips of Tiramisu Tea from The Hillcart Tales. Their tea is quite another story. This one has no tea leaves, and comes encased in its individual origami style pack. I open it, and find the bag made of fine muslin held together with a thread. There’s a different message at the bottom of each pack. Mine says, “Pursue what catches your heart, not your eyes”. Sigh!
That Madras Place, Adyar, Chennai: Plus & Minus
That Madras Place is all about serenity within the city, serving good, fresh food straight from the heart.
