On our recent trip to Chennai & Mahabalipuram (where AK got a wedding photography shoot), we arrived in the city much earlier than we needed to. For lack of things to do, we ventured out to find some breakfast. After some hit and trial, some google and foursquare, we came to a small South Indian restaurant (which AK generically calls Dosa joint) called Murugan’s Idli Shop.
I went in expecting average South Indian fare.
I was not surprised by the efficient and matter-of-fact service, typical of South Indian Restaurants. But I was surprised by the Idlis! They were the softest, most melt-in-your-mouth Idlis (steamed rice cake) I have ever had. And I’ve had my fair share. I make them from scratch at home too (which I will document soon). For 300 bucks, AK & I ate a tummy full of Idlis, Dosas, Vadas and 7 different kinds of chutneys! Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures of my plate (actually a rectangular plastic tray lined with a plantain leaf) but I do have a few of the shop and their own picture of their Idlis!
The second picture is of their delivery truck!
To round off the breakfast, we obviously had 2 cups of filter coffee each! Coffee is to the South Indian what Tea is to the rest of the country. The coffee had by most people in other parts of the country is either instant or the cappucinos and lattes available at the various western coffee chains which have sprouted up in the last decade. Being quite a coffee addict myself, I can confidently say that filter coffee has a rich, full bodied texture of its own and is unrivalled by the French Presses and Cappucino makers of the world. It’s a tradition and the making is a ritual in itself (this too shall be posted by me soon!)
Here’s our cup (or rather, glass)…
It is always served in this stainless steel glass and saucer contraption. The froth is a result of the freshly boiled milk and the flipping & pouring of the coffee from glass to saucer and back a few times. It is strong yet milky. Rich and full bodied, ALMOST thick and creamy!
Here’s AK and I cooling our respective coffees so we don’t burn our tongues!
And here’s me, basking in the bliss of authentic filter coffee in the heart of South India!
