Gundan Ramasamey is in town. Yes, the strange similarity to celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsey seems deliberate. Ramasamey is the mascot of Madras Curry Cup, a new outlet in Nungambakkam that serves hassle-free South Indian meals. The big draw here is that thaali items are served only in large white plastic bowls and the dishes are noticeably free from whole spices like pepper pods, cinnamon sticks and such. And true to their tag line, ‘home-style revived’, they’re bringing back your grandma’s dishes: from pulichakeerai to paruppu urundai kozhambu.
Sastharam Ravendran curated recipes from his mother and grandmother, and started Madras Curry Cup in April as an online delivery and catering firm that delivered South Indian food in packed cups. This month, Madras… opened their first outlet, and is one of few restaurants in Chennai to partner with UberEats.
We start by building our cup. Similar to a ramen bowl, all the items are placed in the cup and here, it starts with the carbs: rice or millets. Top it with gravy, veggies, a protein and a papad. Though we tried eating with our hands, it was easier to dig in with the spoon. They have a seven-day menu, both for vegetarians and meat lovers. We got lucky, it was mutton-kheema-curry day. The spicy, simple gravy, paired with firm grains of brown rice, is a perfect combination of flavour and texture.
The meal is truly hassle-free. You can grab a lunch or dinner bowl and even eat it in a car; the meat is boneless and there are no pesky cardamom pods. “We grind all our spices for the curries. This way, you don’t have to pick out large red chillies or other spices,” says Sastharam, who is also a motivational speaker among other things.
You can also order sides; they come in small paper cups. The dollop of paruppu thovayal is a surprise; we haven’t come across this humble dish in other South Indian restaurants. Their desserts are rustic and healthy. We pop a sun urundai — a ball made of toasted urad dal, cinnamon and sugar. The sugar melts and the dal gives the crunch. With a coconut barfi, poori laadu, we end the meal on a sweet and nostalgic note.
Cost for two: Rs 300. Details: 07550035035