If there is one hotel which just keeps reinventing the food scene in Chennai, then it has got to be ITC Grand Chola. Every time I am here, I am simply blown away by the food.

This time I was here after a while for the Flavours of Tulu Nadu food festival. Tulu Nadu is a small region between northern part of Kerala and a wee bit of Karnataka. The amount of ground work done by Chefs at ITC needs to be lauded. My prior experiences have been restricted to Pure Kerala / Karnataka or Goan cuisine. So this Tulu Nadu was all new to me. But whatever I had tasted was simply sensational.

Food:
The dinner started of with a nice soothing Buttermilk and Banana Bairada Juice  - Ripe Banana mashed with coconut water was a killer. For soup we had Bele Saaru which was a cross between traditional Tamilian rasam and a dal sorba.



Here the dinner took a adventurous twist. Main course was served on EXTRA LARGE Vaalai Ellai, even larger than the ones used in South Indian Weddings. These Ellais should easily accommodate a meal for two. The first dish served was Natia Kori - mildly spiced chicken with a dash of ghee was simply sensational. Infact I went on to have a second, third and fourth helping of the same.

Next was Sajji Ke Taarai da Roti - Coconut pancakes - was a cross between fat dosa and adai. Errai Da Meen was Seer fish marinated with mild spices similar to the chicken and grilled which too was simply irresistible.


Here on I decided to plate up my Vaalai Ellai for photography.

(From top left to bottom right)
- Errai Da Meen
- Yetti Sukka ( Prawns marinated in mild spices and coconut )
- Pineapple Gojju (rich tart pineapple gravy with select karavali spices)
- Kori Gassi with Kori Roti ( Rice Roti soaked with Mangalorean chicken curry)
- Kadla Belai Kootu ( Channa Dal with Mustard, curry leaves and loaded with spices)
- Meen Pulli Munchi ( Makared cooked with Mangalorean spices)
- Spinach Garlic Dal
- Steamed Rice
- Neer Dosa ( Thin, light dosa)
- Dappa Dosa
- Mamsam Biryani ( Not pictured here was sensational )

All of the above were WOW!

Finally Payassam and Ragi Manni ( Jaggery fudge) to finish of this sensational dinner course. I am simply out of words to explain the entire meal. With no dish to fault, this could be the best food festival every foodie should visit.

Price:
Priced at Rs 2200/- + taxes for a person.
The Flavours of Tulu Nadu are on till June 25 at Madras Pavilion

Flavours of Tulu Nadu -  a must visit for every South Indian food loving foodie.

Disclaimer : Invited Review

Madras Pavilion is located inside ITC Grand Chola, Chennai

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