Location

CGH Earth Hotel, 7/1, 143, Local Fund Road, Kanadukathan, Tamil Nadu 630103.

Owned by

Now a popular heritage hotel, this 70 year old mansion was built by K. V. A. L. M. Ramnathan Chettiar, a leading businessman in the region. Today, this palatial home is a CGH Earth experience, showcasing the traditions of the prosperous Chettiar community.

About

This open kitchen called the Sapadu Shala welcomes guests into an interactive experience. In a space full of lovely old crockery and home-grown spices, one can take part in cooking sessions and learn the fine secrets that lie behind this singular cuisine of southern India.

Review

The food served here is an ingenious blend of delicate spices that make for a delicious medley of flavours.

The chef’s recommendation – Paniyaram, gives a lip smacking mutton curry paired with traditional items like rasam, parappu (dal and ghee), rice, kozhambu (vegetable curry), kootu (vegetables with lentils), poriyal (vegetables with grated coconut), pachadi (a jaggery based chutney) with crispy papad and a refreshing drink.

It is truly Chettinad on a plate, or more accurately a banana leaf.

Chatting with Valli Muthiah, the 72 year old matriarch of Visalam Chettinad

Image credits: Maya Lalchandani, Google.