Last night, we had a small farewell dinner for one of my colleagues who is already moving to another company. It felt a little bittersweet because even though we were happy for his next journey, it also meant that our usual office routine would no longer be the same. So, we decided to treat him to a nice dinner before he leaves.
The idea came from another colleague who is originally from the South Indian region. She wanted to introduce us to authentic South Indian food, and honestly, I was excited about it. It has been quite a while since I last had Indian food from a proper restaurant. Usually, I would eat briyani from hawker centers, which I still enjoy a lot, but I know it is a different experience compared to restaurants that focus more on traditional cooking styles.
The restaurant we visited was Anjappar Authentic Chettinaad Restaurant, located in the Little India area. It was raining when we arrived at Little India station, so we had to walk quickly going to the restaurant. We were trying our best not to get soaking wet, and I think that little rainy rush made us even more excited to finally sit down and eat something warm.
When we entered the restaurant, the ambience was quite nice. It felt simple but comfortable, with good ventilation, so the dining area did not feel too heavy with kitchen smoke or strong cooking smells. The waiter approached us right away, which I always think is a good sign of service. We settled in, looked through the menu, and trusted our Chennai colleague to help us choose what to order.
Less than ten minutes later, the appetizer arrived. It was a plate of fried battered onion, which I honestly did not expect to see in an Indian restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised! The onions were crispy, golden, and very enjoyable to munch on while we were chatting. It came with mint chutney, and I really liked how it paired with the fried texture. The chutney was not spicy at all. It had a mild, fresh mint flavor that balanced the oily crispiness of the onion perfectly.
Next came the chapati and parotta, served with different chutneys & curry. We ordered both because we wanted to compare the two breads, but it was difficult to choose a favorite. The chapati had a soft and comforting bite, while the parotta had that slightly flaky and layered texture that made it so satisfying. Both were really good in their own way, especially when dipped into the sauces.
For the main dishes, we ordered Fish Briyani and Mutton Briyani. There were four of us, but we decided to order only two main dishes because we already knew briyani could be very filling. And yes, we were right LOL. The portions were generous, and with all the appetizers and breads on the table, it was just the right amount for everyone.
The briyani was flavorful and fragrant, with the rice nicely coated in spices. The fish briyani had a lighter taste, while the mutton briyani felt richer and heartier. I enjoyed how both dishes had their own character, and it was nice to share everything family-style instead of ordering separate meals.
After all that food, we still had a little space left for hot tea. It was a perfect way to end the meal, especially after walking through the rain earlier. We also had more snacks while chatting, but I forgot to take more photos because we were too busy enjoying the conversation haha.
Overall, it was a lovely dinner. Good food, warm service, and a meaningful reason to gather together. It was not just about trying authentic South Indian cuisine, but also about giving our colleague a proper send-off before his next chapter. Definitely a memorable dinner in Little India.
Bon appétit.
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