I have reached an age when everything is too loud. Bars, concerts, and the inevitably rambunctious family sitting beside me at a restaurant. So, I am intrigued when I hear whispers about a speakeasy launching in Chennai. Especially since — for once — it is being curated for a crowd that has outgrown tequila shots,…
In the last couple of years, te.gism, the “fruit with a dot in its name”, has caught the imagination of wine lovers in the Northeast who fancy non-grape elixirs. Also known as the Himalayan cherry (Prunus jenkinsii), this fruit that grows in the jungles of Meghalaya’s Garo Hills remained virtually unknown until botanists documented it less…
Mallippo idli in nalli kuzhambu | Photo Credit: PERIASAMY M Ayira meen kulambu, a quintessentially Madurai dish often served alongside steaming idlis, rice and idiyappams, is a blend of tamarind, spices, and perfected culinary techniques over many generations. But the star of the delicious, tangy curry is the tiny worm-like ayira fish, known for its tender texture and taste, and sourced from the Vaigai Dam. “Ayirai is always bought alive and is a robust fish…
Fruit mixing | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement As the air turns chill and holiday lights twinkle in every corner, the irresistible aroma of freshly baked plum cakes wafts through the city, signalling the arrival of Christmas. The rich, dark cakes, brimming with dried fruits, nuts, and a touch of festive spirits, are more than just…
The Christmas goodies for the season | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Pumpkin Tales The team at Pumpkin Tales has curated a wide range of Christmas goodies for the season. They offer assorted cookie boxes (₹550, four pieces) that feature an assortment of Christmas-themed cookies; an assorted cupcake box (₹500) with flavors such as coffee, mixed…
There are countless push-cart vendors serving biryani throughout the day and night, contributing to the widespread availability of this popular dish. The biryani market in Tamil Nadu is a culinary powerhouse, with a staggering valuation at ₹10,000 crore. Those tracking the food business in Tamil Nadu explained that the organised market is pegged at ₹2,500…
When it comes to conservation messaging, two distinct approaches often emerge. The first is a celebration — showcasing the planet’s wonders, like the comforting bird songs at dawn or the life-giving shade of an ancient forest. It gently reminds us of what stands to be lost. The second approach, stark and urgent, holds up a…
Sahitya Akademi award winner Nanjil Nadan’s book ‘Nanjil Naatu Unavu’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Food is an integral part of society, and like the fine arts, it flourishes in regions where basic human needs are met. The food habits — both vegetarian and non-vegetarian — of Nanjil Nadu in Kanniyakumari district are, in a…
The ₹5-crore double decker boat can accommodate up to 125 persons at a time. Tamil Nadu’s first floating restaurant was opened on the backwaters of Muttukadu near Chennai. The ₹5-crore double decker boat can accommodate up to 125 persons at a time. Tourism Minister R. Rajendran and MSME Minister T. M. Anbarasan inaugurated the boat…
For 25-year-old Vrinda Vinod, who lost her grandfather to high blood pressure, an affinity towards healthy food started at a young age with her mother bringing in a healthy twist while packing her lunch boxes to school. Following her graduation from a law school in Bengaluru , Vrinda returned to the city and converted their…
