Mouthful of Madras

How often have we contemplated to have homemade authentic southern Indian sapaddu (Tamil for food). Drop your forks and knives. Wash your hands. Home is near. Madras Banyan Tree at Glen Huntly is a treat to your tastebuds.

They serve delicate idlies – steamed rice batter discs, dosa varieties – crispy salty crepes, vadas – crispy lentil doughnuts and their various coloured chutney condiments. One might be able to get their hands on a cousin of chapatti called Puri, which is a fried version of chapatti or the humble Roti with some blistered texture.

South Indians love the integrity and unison of the Indian sub-continent. So without any prejudice, they serve the North Indian dishes of Naan and curry. So dear Naan do not feel left out. They still love you.

For those of you who want to indulge in a generous serve of rice dishes, you are in luck. They serve different varieties of rice based dishes.

I invested my money on a Thali plate- a rationed portion of various dishes in a rounded steel plate and a weekend afternoon Buffet that had both vegetarian and non- vegetarian dishes.

Also, you are the boss in this restaurant. They ask about the flavour that you think your palate would appreciate and cook the food accordingly. Moreover, you have soothing southern Indian instrumental music catering your ears. The wall art is collection of traditional South Indian art depicting Ramayana – an epic Indian poem.

This franchise of the much loved Madras Banyan Tree is run by a humble and lime light shy MARIO. You might be able to see a nimble Mario working alongside the other front area employees. Make sure you have a chat with him. Prices are not exuberant

So fellow earthlings you have not tasted Indian food until you have tasted the secret flavours of the south

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P.S.: Madras curry is from a different planet altogether.  From Madras- NOT

You can find the restaurant here.

Have some Masala

It is said you can get anything and everything at Queen Victoria market in Melbourne. It was so refreshing to get a warm (or some may call it hot – not piping hot though) beverage of chai from a person with a warm and welcoming smile.

A cup of masala chai tea is exactly what you want when your energy level has slightly slipped a notch from the early morning shopping marathon. This chai tea reinvigorated the warmth and excitement that I needed to go home and think about the food I was going to make with the fresh produce that I had just invested money in.  The colourful set up of the stall infused into the ambience of Queen Victoria market just as the spices were infused into milk. Without the much expected sceptics of a shopper, I scurried into opting the dairy version of the beverage though a caloric-ally low option of soy was available. The only question I bothered to ask to the smiley vendor was – “Is it the same chai that we get in India?”. And with great enthusiasm, the person dispensing the tea from the canister affirmatively assured me – Yes, the same thing.   As I placed the order, I noticed a person who was performing a somewhat lunatic act just across the stall and singing rather cacophonously. I asked the chai- wala if he had to endure this the whole time while he patiently waited from customers to come by and get some tea. He responded very coolly saying that “No, that is just his act. He is a very usual person like us. After his performance, he comes around and chats with us. He is a good guy in need of some money. That’s all. He does not bother us”. And he handed me a take away cup brimming with masala chai with just the right amount of everything. Just as the tea hit my tastebuds, the words hit my head reminded me not to judge people by their appearance. You never know what you might get.

Just another reassurance about finding everyday wisdom in simple things and in unexpected places.

And make sure you visit THE ORIGINAL CHAI STALL in the organic section of Queen Victoria Market and I promise you that it is what you need on an overcast or cold morning in Melbourne.