Follow the food trail: A round-up of Sabha Canteens

Monisha Krishnan 11 years ago

I am pretty sure that by the time the margazhi fest comes to an end, I might be getting diabetes! Just kidding, but I am seriously finding it hard to resist my addiction towards the heady aroma that comes from the ghee-filled dosas, frothing filter coffee, almond and cashew dressed halwa and other culinary delights served in the sabha canteens. Sometimes, I think it’s the canteens that draw more rasikas than the kutcheris itself! The buzz outside the canteen is as loud as the musical treat inside. You may not find most of the food items served there even in famous hotels and restaurants.

I have picked a few of my hot favourites in the sabha canteens this music season. Some of them have even experimented with different varieties of food items.

Source: classicrestaurantpune.com

1. Mylapore Fine Arts Club- Meenambiga Caterers

K. Baskaran of Meenambiga caterers has been catering for Mylapore Fine Arts Club for 15 years from now during the Kutcheri season.

The Sabha’s Special Menu:

Their menu will make you forget your diet! Around 80 varieties of dosa will be 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.

Filter Coffee
Vegetable idly
Corn dosa
Kuzhi paniharam
Kothamali podi dosa
Double ducker idly (chutney stuffed inside the Idly)

Mylapore Fine arts venue: Oliver Road, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Caterer contact: 9841031513, 9941362277

2. Namma Veetu Kalyanam- Brahma Gana Sabha, Mylapore

C. Chandru of Namma Veetu Kalyanam caterers has been catering for Brahma Gana Sabha for two years from now during the Kutcheri season. If you are visiting, don’t miss their hot piping filter coffee!

The Sabha’s Special Menu:

Filter Coffee
Hot jalebis
Ella ada
Elaneer payasam
Badam Halwa
Dosa
Parota
Idly
Adai Aviyal
Idiappam and Vegetable Paya
Chapatti

Make a quick visit as the servings will be available only till next Tuesday (December 31).

Brahma Gana Sabha venue:179, Luz Church Road, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004 (Inside M.CT.M. Chidambaram Chettiyar International School)

Caterer contact: 9841089166, 9941941122

3. N. Padmanabhan Catering- Madras Music Academy

N. Padmanabhan of Padmanabhan Caterers has been catering for Madras Music Academy for eight years from now during the Kutcheri season. If you are looking for a variety of food items, then Madras Music Academy is the one place to indulge in. I came across a unique halwa made of parangikai this season.

The Sabha’s Menu:

Ghee Parangikai Halwa
Bombay Kaja
Poli
Samosa
Pakoda
Vadai ( Sambar, Vegetable curd Vada)
Bajji
Kuzhi Paniharam
Aapam
Idiappam
Chettinad Idly
Ghee Rava Pongal
Dosa Varieties (Special Dosa, Podi Dosa, Masala Dosa)
Utappam Varieties (Vegetable Utappam, Onion Uthappam/ Podi Uthappam)
Chutney and Sambar
Chapatti
Parota
Poori
Kootu
Yam/ potato Fry
Potato Chips
Mixed Rice
Dhal/ Ghee/ Papad
More Milagai
Chettinad Kara Kozhambu
Rasam
Avil Payasam
Rice
Curd

A plate of tiffin will cost you around Rs.50 and the meals will be offered for a nominal price. Make sure you visit this place before January 9, to not miss the grand spread!

Madras Music Academy Venue: Ganapathy Street, Royapettah, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Caterer Contact: 9840033165, 9444455473

4. Gnanambiga Catering Service- Narada Gana Sabha, Alwarpet

J. Hariharan ofGnanambiga Catering service has been catering for NaradaGana Sabha for 25 years from now during the Kutcheri season. The Ashoka Halwa is a perfect dessert to end your meal.

Few dishes among the spread: