Neat and clean, brightly lit, spacious…Rasam Restaurant appealed to me for it’s menu and simple decor. While walking the streets of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, my travel bud and I checked out this Indian restaurant after seeing their outdoor sign. We scanned the menu, noted the surroundings and agreed to stay for a meal. Since it was just 7 PM, the dining hall was empty but for two ladies already seated. Multiple families streamed through the front door within 15 minutes. As the seats filled the restaurant took on a very homey feel.

Waiters dressed in traditional kurtas (baby blue) scurried around the crisp white interior. Customers come for the food but the owners have made a smart choice in contrasting the light blue uniforms against the white walls and floors as a visual treat. Rasam’s veg menu covers an extensive range of styles from various breads to noodles, biranyi, and the usual Indian food staples such as palak paneer. In typical Indian fashion meals come served in copper vessels which aid in retaining heat. Also a nice touch were the banana leaf covered plates. But I can’t forget to mention the fried crisps that arrived before the meal. Hot, just slightly greasy direct from the fryer and oh so good.

Both dishes were not quite as expected but their taste was superb. My relaxed attention while ordering resulted in similar, heavy carb loaded dishes which left us full after a few spoonfuls. Leaving food to waste is not a common event at my meals so I was thrilled when the waiter offered us a doggy bag for the remainders. He gladly swept the food away and returned with each dish held in a separate plastic container enclosed in a handle bag. That was a first for me- doggy bags in India.

Cost Rs 920 ($20.50) Located on the second floor of Hotel Sabari.