A Taste of Sabha Savouries, Courtesy Meenambiga Caterers
It has been a while since I wrote about food- I’ve been waiting for the right time. And, well, I am back now because the time is ripe indeed… what with the glorious Margazhi kutcheri season being upon us! This is a magical time, replete with festive cheer and divine music. And, I have always loved sabha hopping! For the music, yes… but more for the yummilicious food.
Whenever I visit the many kutcheri halls in the city to buy tickets for the elders at home, I make sure I sample the delish South Indian delights dished out. Today, I visited the Mylapore Fine Arts Club and I am still not able to get the filter coffee out of my mind! Amazing. And, I was lucky enough to be able to talk to the man behind the coffee- Mr K Baskaran.
Baskaran acquired Meenambiga Caterers from his ancestors, and he reveals that three generations of the family have been involved in the business. Its popularity has increased through years and the outfit is now considered among the best in the city. The culinary legend has been catering for the Mylapore Fine Arts Club for the past 15 years during the kutcheri seasons. And, when I got a taste of its treats, I knew exactly why it was such a force to reckon with.
Mr. K Baskaran
The tiffin is bliss, and I suggest you give it a try this season. There are dishes in there that I bet you wouldn’t have even heard of. On the menu are around 80 varieties of dosas (served till January 1). The meals cost about Rs. 140 while the prices of the tiffin items vary. However, all the rates are very reasonable.
Special tiffin varieties during the Margzahi season are:
- Vegetable idly
- Corn dosa
- Kuzhi paniharam
- Kothamali podi dosa
- Double ducker idly (chutney stuffed inside the Idly)
Baskaran also caters to others functions, ably aided by 50 of his regular employees. His catering outfit dishes out even Kerala, Rajasthani and Chettinad cuisine, depending on the client’s cultural background. For example, if the client happens to be a Kerala Brahmin, he adds Kerala speciality dishes to the regular meals. The caterer believes that it is small touches like these that make the client happy and satisfied.
“I see to it that the service and taste are satisfactory. Food is king, of course. The quality has to be good and the taste has to be perfect,” he says.
He charges Rs 250-300 (per plate) for meals served during the muhurtham, engagement and functions like the seemandham (this includes two mixed rices, apart from the regular meals), sashti poorthi and auyshomam.
The elai sapadu (sit-down meal) for the reception costs Rs. 300 per plate and the buffet will set you back by Rs. 350 per plate. Most of his clients prefer the latter.
The orders for marriages have to be placed one month in advance.
Menu:
Traditional Food | Sweet Vada Sweet pachadi Curd pachadi Two curries Kosu malli Aviyal Chitranam White rice Parupu Sambar Rasam More kozhambu Curd Dessert |
Buffet | Payasam or Badam kheer Chat Items Sweet varieties Fried rice varieties (Vegetable/Mushroom/Paneer) Raita (5 varieties) Bisi bele bath White rice and rasam Chapathi/poori/nNaan Gravy ( two or more) Chettinadu- kuzhi paniharam, double ducker idly (chutney stuffed inside the Idly) Kerala- elai adai, adai pradaman, chakka pradhaman Dessert varieties |
“I am a food lover- many caterers know me, because I make it a point to appreciate them if I like their food. Baskaran has done the catering for many marriages within my circle of friends and he is extremely good! The variety he offers is amazing,” says V Mahalingam, a long time customer of Baskaran.
Well, so now you know which sabha to head to for a taste of magic!
Caterer contact: 9841031513, 9941362277
E-mail: baskaran.meenambiga@ gmail.com
Post a Comment