Despite being setup on the busy Poonamallee High Road, this eatery with a chic twist in its ambience catches your attention from afar. Huge posters of idli and dosa welcome you to this bustling tiffin centre in the city. Twenty two-year-old HR professional-turned entrepreneur, Aashruth Rangarajan who started the space a little over a month ago says, "I always wondered why there was no restaurant in Chennai offering Karnataka-based cuisine." And from the looks of the crowds that line up outside this stand-and-dine joint, his instincts clearly were on to something. From Kesari bath to red rice dosa, here are five ways you can get a taste of Bengaluru, minus the road trip.
Here's a list of dishes from their selectively curated menu that you shouldn't miss.
Neer Dosa
The most popular dish at Eating Circles is the neer dosa that is served with a sweet side dish made of grated coconut mixed with jaggery and the typical green and red chutneys. The dosa is soft and thicker than usual and needs to be eaten steaming hot. Rs 65
Open Dosa
Dressed like an uttapam in disguise, this fluffy dosa is layered with gun powder and toppings of smashed potatoes, grated carrot and a spoonful of unsalted butter. The dosa is served with the Bengaluru-style sambar with a tiny amount of jaggery added, making it sweet. Rs 75
Special Butter Dosa
The brown, relatively thinner, dosa is marked with holes filled in butter and served with palya (curry) made of onions and potatoes. The texture of the flavourful dosa is crisp and is sure to remind you of the typical Benne (butter) dosa. Rs 75
Thattu idli
Larger than the usual size of an idli, a plate of Thattu idli arrives smeared with a coating of gun powder and served with coconut chutney and sambar. Add a dollop of ghee on top and we are sold, down to the last finger lick. Rs 50
Kaju rose milk
Eating Circles' most sold drink, the kaju rose milk, is a thickened drink made of cashewnut paste and rose milk. What we don't expect when it shows up as our chilled saviour in a pot-shaped stainless steel tumbler is the sprinkle of rose petals on top. Rs 40
Eating Circles is located at 151, Poonamallee High Rd, Opposite Breeze Hotel, Pullapuram, Kilpauk. Open for breakfast (7.30 am to 10 am) and dinner (3.30pm to 10.30 pm). Details: 30853593