Dig North Indian fare? Chennai with its innumerable tandoori restaurants will certainly pamper your taste buds. But outshining the crowd is Peshawri, nestled inside Sheraton Chola Hotel on Cathedral Road. More than two decades have passed since Peshawri first became famous for its juicy kababs, warm hospitality and superb food. The restaurant still boasts of the same Captain (Maitre D’) – Mr. Arasu, who has been at the helm of affairs from the day it was launched, and Mr. Raja Singh, the Master chef, who has also been with Peshawri for a number of years!

Indian cuisine offers a wide variety when it comes to vegetarian fare. Driving this point home and flaunting an impressive range in pure vegetarian menu is the popular restaurant BR Mathsya. Located on Arcot Street, Pondy Bazaar, off Thanikachalam Road, this all-vegetarian eatery is spread over 6000 square feet and is comfortable, neat and pleasant. The ambience is very much South Indian and the children’s play enclosure is the ultimate proof of a family-friendly environment!

Minimal lighting for a cozy ambience and rustic décor – that is the Peshawri look for you. The restaurant can seat ninety and was last renovated over a decade ago. This fact is not evident though and we were told that minor refurbishments are made regularly. The seats look inviting, but are not really plush enough to encourage a prolonged meal! The tables are neatly set out with copper plates, copper tumblers and cloth napkins (green for vegetarians and red for meat-eaters!). The copper plates are only for show and disappear as soon as the guest is seated, while only the aprons and tumblers remain! “This food is best eaten with bare fingers as is customary in India,” says Arasu. Unobtrusive instrumental Hindustani music plays in the background, completing the setting.

The three-year-old BR Mathsya is a part of the Udipi Home Group. Its Egmore counterpart was started about three decades ago and the group itself has been around for over 75 years as a Chennai-based family concern. Mr. Prasanna Bhat of the group proudly proclaims that they brought about the first stand-alone vegetarian place in Chennai...